What to Bring to an Auction Pickup: A Practical Checklist

What paperwork do you need at pickup?

Staff need to confirm who you are and that you've paid before anything leaves the building. Pay online before you go when the sale allows it; pickup goes faster, and on Auktia your receipt is saved under My bids.

• A photo ID that matches the bidder account
• Your paid invoice or receipt, on your phone or printed
• Your lot numbers, so staff can pull items quickly
• An accepted payment method if you still owe, such as card, cash or another method the sale lists
• Written permission from the buyer if you're collecting for someone else, where the house allows it

What loading gear should you bring?

Some houses help load and others don't, so plan to do it yourself. The right gear turns a stressful hour into a ten-minute job and keeps finishes from getting scratched.

• Ratchet straps or rope, plus bungee cords for small loads
• Moving blankets, old comforters or cardboard to protect finishes
• A hand truck or furniture dolly for heavy pieces
• Work gloves
• Screwdrivers, an Allen key set and a wrench for taking off legs and shelves
• Boxes, bins or bags for small items and box lots
• A tarp for an open truck bed, in case of rain
• A tape measure, to confirm a piece will fit before you lift it

Do you need a truck for auction pickup?

Measure before you bid, not at the loading dock. Check the dimensions in the listing against your vehicle's cargo space with the seats folded, and remember that door and hatch openings are smaller than the space inside. Tall pieces like bookcases and armoires often need to lie down, which takes more length than you'd guess.

If you need a truck or trailer, add that cost to your max bid. Example: a $120 armoire with a 15% buyer's premium and 8.25% sales tax costs $149.39, and a few hours of truck rental can push the real cost well past that. For bulky pieces, see buying furniture at auction.

What should you check before leaving home?

Five minutes of checking saves a second trip. Run through this list the night before pickup, especially if you won lots in more than one sale and need to plan the route.

1. Confirm pickup times, the address and the remove-by date on the sale page.
2. Make sure your invoice is paid, or bring an accepted payment method.
3. List every lot number you won, and how many items each one includes.
4. Measure your vehicle and clear out the cargo area.
5. Line up a helper for anything heavy or awkward.
6. Check the weather, and pack a tarp if the load will be exposed.

How do you make pickup quick and avoid problems?

Arrive early in the pickup window, when there's more room to load and staff aren't rushed. Check each item against your invoice and its lot tag before it goes in your vehicle, and look inside box lots to make sure the contents match the listing.

If something is missing or isn't what was described, say so before you leave and ask staff to note it. On Auktia, if an item (lot) turns out to be materially different from its description, tell the seller (auction house) and Auktia within 7 days. More on auction pickup and buyer protection.