Buying
Buying on auction,
without the mystery.
Buying on auction means registering in our online auction room and meeting the FICA identity and address checks before bidding opens, then bidding: at the fall of the hammer a binding sale agreement comes into existence. Here is how it works, and what you are committing to when you raise your hand.
Key takeaways
- Registration, FICA documents, bidding and results all live in one place: our online auction room.
- Registration closes before the auction opens. You will need identity documents and proof of address to meet FICA requirements, plus a registration deposit that is refunded if you do not win.
- At the fall of the hammer a binding sale agreement comes into existence and you sign the conditions of sale immediately.
- The deposit and commission percentages are set out in the conditions of sale for each specific auction, and they differ between property and movable assets.
- View the asset and read the conditions of sale before you bid.
Where bidding happens
The auction room is online.
Registration, FICA documents, bidding and results all live in one place. It is our own auction room, not a marketplace, so the only lots in it are ours.
Create an account
Takes a few minutes. You will need an identity document and proof of address before you can be approved to bid on a specific auction.
Create an account Already registeredLog in
Register for a specific auction, upload your FICA documents, and bid when it opens.
Log in First timeHow to bid
Short video guides covering creating an account, registering for an auction, placing a bid, filtering lots and uploading documents.
Watch the guides Before you commitWhat has sold before
Completed auctions, so you can see what actually goes under the hammer and what it fetches before you bid on anything.
Past resultsBefore you pay anyone a deposit, check it is really us: how to spot an auction scam.
The sequence
Six steps, in order.
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01
Find the lot
Property sits on our property portal; movable assets and vehicles appear on the auction calendar. Every lot carries a catalogue entry describing exactly what is being sold.
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02
Do your homework
View the asset, read the conditions of sale, and check anything that matters to you. Auction assets are sold as they stand. Inspect before you bid, not after. Buying a flat or townhouse? What to check in a sectional title scheme.
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03
Register to bid
Registration closes before the auction opens. You will need identity documents and proof of address to meet FICA requirements, plus a registration deposit that is refunded if you do not win. Create a bidding account ↗
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04
Bid
In the room or online. Bidding runs in increments set by the auctioneer. If the reserve is not met, the lot does not sell.
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05
The fall of the hammer
This is the moment the sale concludes. The highest bid at the fall of the hammer is a binding contract: you sign the conditions of sale and pay the deposit there and then; the buyer’s commission is paid as that auction’s conditions of sale set out.
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06
Balance and transfer
The balance is payable within the period set out in the conditions of sale. For property, transfer is handled by the conveyancer; for vehicles, we coordinate the eNatis change of ownership.
On the day
Bring these or you cannot bid.
Bidder registration
- Original identity document or passport
- Proof of residential address, under three months old
- The registration deposit, in the form stated in the auction terms
- If bidding for a company: registration documents and a resolution authorising you to bid
- If bidding for someone else: a signed power of attorney
Common questions
Buying on auction, answered.
Is a winning bid legally binding?
Yes. At the fall of the hammer a binding sale agreement comes into existence and you sign the conditions of sale immediately. Do not bid on anything you are not prepared to buy.
What deposit will I need?
The deposit and commission percentages are set out in the conditions of sale for each specific auction, and they differ between property and movable assets. Check the terms attached to the lot, or phone us on 086 155 2288 and we will tell you before you register.
Can I view the asset before bidding?
Yes, and you should. Viewing times are published with each auction. Auction assets are sold voetstoots (as they stand), so the inspection is your responsibility and your protection.
Can I bid online instead of attending?
Yes. Online bidding is available for our auctions. You still have to register and meet the same FICA requirements before bidding opens.
What happens if the reserve is not met?
The lot is not sold. In some cases the seller will consider a post-auction offer. Ask us on the day and we will put it to them.
What is a reserve price?
The minimum the seller has agreed to accept. It is not published. Bidding below it will not conclude a sale.
Guides for this
Read up before you decide.
Bidding at a sheriff’s sale in execution instead? Different rules apply: sheriff’s auctions explained.
Registering and bidding online, step by step
Create a bidding account, upload FICA documents, register for an auction, pay any refundable deposit and bid online, including Auto Bid and timed lot closes.
Read the guide Buying · 15 minYou won the auction. Here is what happens next.
After the hammer falls: signing, deposit and commission, guarantees, the conveyancer, transfer duty, clearances, occupation and registration, in order.
Read the guide Costs and tax · 13 minBuyer’s premium: what it costs, and how to bid with it
What a buyer's premium (buyer's commission) is at South African auctions, where the rate is disclosed, how VAT and transfer duty apply, and setting a top bid.
Read the guideWant a heads-up on what is coming?
Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know when something suitable is catalogued.
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