LiveAuctioneers

About LiveAuctioneers

LiveAuctioneers is the world's most trafficked online live-bidding platform for art, antiques, and collectibles, connecting millions of registered bidders with more than 1,600 trusted auction houses from around the world. Founded in 2002 by John Ralston and Julian R. Ellison, the platform pioneered real-time online auction participation, making it possible for collectors to bid in live auctions happening in salerooms across the globe without leaving their homes.

Today, LiveAuctioneers is part of the Auction Technology Group (ATG), having been acquired for $500 million in 2021, reflecting the platform's central role in the digital transformation of the auction industry.

History

The founding of LiveAuctioneers in 2002 came at a moment when the internet was beginning to reshape traditional industries, but the auction world remained stubbornly analog, relying on in-room bidders, telephone bids, and mailed absentee bids. Ralston and Ellison saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between the excitement of a live auction and the convenience of online access, enabling auction houses to stream their sales online and accept real-time bids from internet users.

The platform's growth was accelerated by a strategic alliance with eBay, which allowed auction houses worldwide to broadcast their live sales to eBay's massive user base. In 2009, LiveAuctioneers launched iPhone and Android apps with live-bidding capabilities, opening a mobile channel that let collectors bid from anywhere, at any time, with complete anonymity.

Categories and the bidding experience

LiveAuctioneers hosts auctions covering categories including:

• Fine art and decorative art
• Antiques and furniture
• Jewelry and watches
• Coins and stamps
• Asian art, rugs, and textiles
• Militaria and sports memorabilia
• Toys, books, and manuscripts

The live bidding experience is designed to replicate the energy of being in the saleroom. Online bidders see a real-time feed of the current lot, the current bid, and bidding increments, and bids placed through the platform are transmitted to the auctioneer instantly, competing on equal footing with in-room and telephone bidders. The platform maintains an industry-leading uptime of 99.9999% during live auction events.

Beyond live auctions, LiveAuctioneers also hosts timed online auctions, where bidding is open for a set period and lots close at a predetermined time, and supports absentee bidding with maximum bids executed automatically during a live sale.

Price database

LiveAuctioneers maintains a comprehensive database of past auction results, with more than 29 million records from thousands of global auction houses dating back to 1999. The database is updated daily and searchable by artist, keyword, category, and price range, and is free to search, though detailed records may require a premium subscription.

Registration, fees, and ownership

Registration on LiveAuctioneers is free and takes only a few minutes. Once registered, users can browse upcoming auctions, place bids, and manage their bidding activity through a personalized dashboard. Some auction houses may require additional approval or credit card authorization before accepting bids, particularly for high-value lots. After winning a lot, the buyer deals directly with the auction house for payment, shipping, and collection.

The platform charges auction houses a fee for its technology and marketing services, while bidders typically pay the auction house's standard buyer's premium plus an additional online bidding surcharge, disclosed in the auction terms before bidding opens.

The 2021 acquisition by Auction Technology Group for $500 million brought LiveAuctioneers into a portfolio that also includes the-saleroom.com, the leading UK auction platform, and other auction technology businesses. This consolidation has provided additional resources for platform development, marketing, and global expansion while maintaining the brand identity and functionality users rely on.

Who LiveAuctioneers suits

For collectors, LiveAuctioneers offers the largest selection of live-streamed auctions on any single platform, a massive database of past results for research, a user-friendly bidding interface across desktop and mobile, and access to auction houses ranging from small regional firms to major international brands. It is particularly valuable for collectors who want to monitor multiple auctions simultaneously or discover new auction houses beyond well-known names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bidding on LiveAuctioneers anonymous?

Yes, auction houses do not see bidder identities until after a sale.

Does the platform offer buyer protection?

Yes, LiveAuctioneers offers a buyer protection program covering items significantly not as described.

Is shipping arranged through the platform?

Shipping is handled by the individual auction house, though the platform provides estimated shipping costs for many lots.