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Earn BFK Art Points on every purchase FREE U.S. shipping on orders $150+

BFK Gallery Auctions

How bidding works

The short version: sign in, place a valid bid, watch your status, and if you win, pay through the normal BFK Gallery checkout. The website server controls the official bid order and closing time.

Before bidding

  1. Sign in. A BFK Gallery account is required to bid.
  2. Read the lot details. Check condition, dimensions, shipping, reserve status and closing time.
  3. Review your amount. A submitted bid is a commitment to buy the piece if you win.
  4. Watch your status. The auction will tell you whether you are leading or have been outbid.
WinningYou currently lead. OutbidAnother bidder is ahead. No bidYou have not bid yet.

Minimum bid increments

The minimum next bid is based on the current price.

Current priceMinimum increase
$0–$99$5
$100–$499$10
$500–$999$25
$1,000+$50

Maximum / proxy bidding

When enabled, you may enter the most you are willing to pay. Your maximum stays private. The system raises your displayed bid only enough to keep you ahead, following the current increment.

Example: if the current bid is $150 and your maximum is $300, the public bid does not jump to $300. It increases only as needed when another bidder challenges you.

Late bids & extensions

If a valid bid is accepted during the final 2 minutes, the auction extends by another 2 minutes. Additional qualifying late bids can extend it again.

The server—not your phone or computer clock—determines whether a bid arrived before the official closing time.

Reserve prices

Some lots may have a private reserve. Visitors see only Reserve met or Reserve not met. The reserve amount itself is not displayed.

Winning, shipping & payment

Winning bids do not include shipping or applicable taxes unless the lot specifically says otherwise. Winners complete payment through the normal BFK Gallery WooCommerce checkout.

Payment window: please pay within 48 hours unless the auction states a different deadline. BFK Gallery does not automatically charge bidders.

If a winner does not pay

BFK Gallery may send a reminder, cancel the winning order, offer the piece to another bidder where appropriate, or relist the auction.

Notifications

Useful auction notifications may include bid accepted, outbid, ending soon, auction extended, winner, unsuccessful bidder and payment reminders. We aim to keep these useful rather than excessive.