Frequently Asked Questions

The Auction Block

What is The Auction Block?

The Auction Block is Michigan's largest auction house, and a full service auction house. We offer a wide range of auction solutions for every client, including personal consignments and a buy-now showroom. We use the latest technology to provide clients with the best auction and customers with the best prices possible. For a full list of services, go here.

What services does The Auction Block offer?

The Auction Block offers a complete range of auction services. We provide on- and off-site auction services, marketing, cataloguing, pickup and delivery services. For a full list of services, go here.

Where are you located?

We are conveniently located at I-96 and Greenfield in Detroit, just off of the freeway. You won't miss our building, big and gray and a block long! For a more detailed map, go here.

Our Auctions

How does an auction work?

Auctions are held on the first and third Saturday of every month and are open to the public. We also hold special auctions as needed, and advertise accordingly.

To participate in an auction, you must register with us to receive your bid card. All bidders must have a registered bid card and must be present to participate in an auction. Bidders will raise their bid card to let the auctioneer and clerk know that they are bidding in the specified increments. Once all bidding is done on a lot, the auctioneer will call the lot sold, for the highest bid, to the highest bidder. The highest bidder is bound to purchase the items they have won. Once bidders are done bidding on all items, they must proceed to the check-out counter to settle with the auction house.

For more information on terms and conditions of the auction, payment and removal of the items, and check-out procedures, please go here.

What types of auctions can you hold?

The Auction Block is a full service auction house, and can hold a number of different auctions. We can easily accomodate English, Reserve, and No-Reserve auctions, and on request, can hold other types of auction. For a more in-depth explanation of the various types of auctions, go here.

The Auction Block also has facilities within which we regularly hold large public auctions. If you would like us to hold an auction off-site for you, please contact us, as we can accomodate off-site auctions.

Where are your auctions held?

We hold the majority of our auctions at in our spacious buy-now showroom, located at I-96 and Greenfield in Detroit. We can easily accomodate hundreds of bidders, and our state-of-the-art auction facility has huge projection screens, computer assisted clerking, and a full staff of knowledgeable and experienced auction experts. Upon request, we can also accomodate any off-site auctions.

How do I bid at an auction?

To bid at an auction, you must first be registered into our system by providing a valid ID, phone number, and signature stating that you are familiar with and agree to all of our terms and conditions. You will then receive a bid card that is valid ONLY for the auction on that day. Bidders may bid on lots both by raising their bid cards, or by letting the auctioneer know of their bid verbally or with a customary physical auction gesture. We request that all bidders place bids by raising their bid card, not by shouting out bids. This helps speed up the auction process and keeps bids consistent. Once a high bid is accepted by the auctioneer and the lot is sold, that high bidder is bound to purchase and remove all items won on the day of the auction. NO EXCEPTIONS.

By signing your bid card and participating in the auction, you are confirming that you are willing and able to purchase all items won at auction on the day of the auction, and that you are willing and able to remove all items won on the day of the auction.

What forms of payment do you accept?

The Auction Block accepts Cash, Check, and all major credit cards.

The Auction Block charges a buyer's premium as well as Michigan Sales Tax at all auctions.

What is a buyer's premium and do you have one?

A buyer's premium is a fee added onto the winning bid that is paid to the auction service to cover associated costs of conducting an auction. The buyer's premium is paid by the winning bidder, so please take into account the buyer's premium when bidding, as you will be responsible for paying it if you win an item.

The Auction Block charges a buyer's premium of 10% on cash purchases, and 13% on credit card and check purchases.

Please note that sales tax is also charged at the time of purchase.

What are your terms and conditions for an auction?

The Auction Block has fairly standard terms and conditions which are printed in the auction catalog, as well as posted around the auction facility on the day of the auction. To view the terms and conditions online, please go here.

When do the items I won at auction need to be paid for and removed?

All items won at auction must be paid for in full and removed ON THE DAY OF THE AUCTION. By participating in the auction, you are entering into a binding contract and are liable for all items won at auction.

Arrangements may be made with the auction house to pick up larger items. In the event of a later pickup, all items MUST BE REMOVED WITHIN THREE DAYS of the auction.

Failure to remove items will result in a forfeiture of all items and money to The Auction Block, who can then resell the item without providing any notice to the winning bidder.

What is the check-out process for the auction?

You should only check out of the auction when you are completely done bidding. Please do not check out if you are still planning on bidding on more items, as it takes up valuable time for both the bidders and the auction staff. To check out, please follow this procedures:

Please check to make sure you do not want to bid on any other items in the auction. If you are done bidding, proceed to the check out counter. One of the cashiers will ask you if you are all done bidding and ready to check out. Please hand your bid card to this cashier.

The cashier will give you a total of what you owe on all won items. Please be aware of our buyer's premium and sales tax. For more information, go here. Once you have paid for your items, you will be given two copies of your invoice. Locate one of the auction runners, who will be wearing auction block uniforms, and who are near the check out area. Hand them both of your invoices.

The auction runners will retreive all of the items which you won. YOU MAY NOT FOLLOW OR ASSIST THE AUCTION RUNNERS IN THE HANDLING OF YOUR ITEMS. YOU MUST STAY AT THE CHECK OUT AREA UNTIL ALL OF YOUR ITEMS ARE RETREIVED AND YOU ARE ESCORTED TO THE DOOR.

The runners will escort you to the door where they will hand your invoices to the security clerks, who will then verify that all items listed on the paid invoice match the items retreived. When they are satisfied that all of the items are accounted for and that there are no more and no less than what is listed on the invoice, they will sign off on the invoices and hand you one copy of your invoice.

The doormen will then escort you out of the building and assist you with any loading of your items which you may require. At this point, you are successfully checked out of the auction.

Once again, you MAY NOT FOLLOW THE RUNNERS OR HANDLE ANY ITEMS YOU HAVE WON UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT AND YOUR INVOICE IS STAMPED. This is for both your protection as well as ours.

Our Website

How do I register online?

Registering online is quick, free and easy and can be done here.

By registering, you gain access to our full website and our great features like the My Item Alert. You also enter your name into our database so that you can receive our e-mail newsletter as well as our postcard, which informs you of great upcoming auctions and events, only at The Auction Block.

By registering, you are also entered into our system so that getting your bid card on the day of the auction is easier!

How do I register to receive your email newsletter?

You can receive our e-mail newsletter by registering with our website, or you can send an email with your name and email address to the newsletter@theauctionblock.com.

What is the My Item Alert feature?

The My Item Alert feature is a great tool that our registered members can use to stay informed of new items in our inventory. All you need to do is let us know what you are looking for, and we will send you an email as soon as something matching your description is entered into our inventory. You can learn more about it here.

When are your auctions uploaded?

Our auction catalogs are uploaded the week prior to an auction, so that there is plenty of time to browse the catalog and decide which items you intend to bid on. We also occasionally hold online auctions, which are uploaded and advertised on our website anywhere from two weeks to two days before the auction begins.

How do I bid on an item?

To bid on an item featured in an either our Police auction or our City of Detroit auction, you must be present on the day of the auction. More information on bidding and registering can be found here.

If you are bidding in one of our online auctions, all guidelines will be displayed before you enter the auction catalog.

What happens if I win an item?

If you bid on and win an item in one of our online auctions, you are recognizing that you are responsible for paying for and picking up that item. Upon winning, you will be contacted by The Auction Block and given instructions on how to pay for that item, as well as how and where to pick up the item. If you need the item delivered, delivery options are available for an extra fee which can be discussed.