FAQs

1. Go to the freemansauction.com home page and click the “Sign In” button in the top right hand corner.
2. Go to the bottom of the pop-up where it notes “Not already a member?” and click “Sign Up”
3. Fill out the form with your contact information and desired password and click the “Next” button.
4. Select your interests and click “Next Step” or click “Skip for Now.” (You can update your notifications at any time.)
5. You will receive an email with a link to verify and activate your Freeman's account.
6. Once verified, log in to access your account.

After creating an account, be sure to browse our upcoming auctions and register to bid.

You can find a complete schedule of all upcoming auctions here.

1. Go to the freemansauction.com home page and select “Sign In” in the top right hand corner.
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Upon successful login, select “Auctions” from the main navigation bar and click “Upcoming Auctions”.
4. Click “View Sale” for the auction you wish to bid in.
5. Click “Register to Bid” (you can do this from the main “Auction” page, or from a specific lot page). If you are a first time bidder, you may be prompted for additional information.
6. Be sure all information is accurate/up to date, then select the two boxes to confirm you’ve read and understood our Conditions of Sale and verify that you are 18 years of age or older.
7. Once submitted, you will receive an email notification confirming the status of your registration (generally this will be approved or pending). If it is pending it is likely because we require further information (such as ID) before you can be approved to bid.

1. Click on the auction of interest, and register to bid in the auction (if a first time user, you will be prompted to create an account and provide the required information; if you are an existing Freeman's user, you need only confirm the submitted details remain accurate and agree to the Conditions of Sale for the auction).
2. Once your registration has been approved, you may log-in on the day of the auction to follow along and place your bids online by clicking “Enter Live Room” and bidding in real-time as the auction progresses.

An absentee bid (or 'Maximum Bid') is the highest price you are willing to pay exclusive of buyer’s premium and applicable sales tax. The absentee bids you place will reflect immediately on our website, and you will get an email confirmation when the bid is placed, as well as on-screen feedback as to whether you are currently the highest bidder. If you are outbid, you will get an automatic email. Bids are executed at the lowest price possible by the auctioneer according to reserves and competing bids. If there are tied bids, the bidder who bid first is given precedence. All absentee bids are time stamped. You do not need to be present or available during the auction to participate as an absentee bidder.

Bidders may place absentee bids online by following the below steps:

1. Log-in to your account through the “Sign In” button in the top right corner of our website. You will find this feature when you click “View Sale” from the auction schedule page. Simply click the lot you wish to bid on.
2. Next, you will need to select the “Register to Bid” button, which will prompt first time buyers for additional information.
3. Once you are registered, click the “Place Bid” and then select your 'Maximum Bid' from the dropdown menu of bidding increments (Maximum Bid is the highest amount you are willing to pay - exclusive of buyer's premium). Click 'Confirm' to confirm your bid.

You may review any absentee bids placed directly in your Freeman's account, under the “Bids” section.

You can increase a bid at any time by clicking the 'Raise Maximum Bid' button. But please note that once a bid is placed, no cancellations or reductions of bids are allowed.

When you submit a telephone bid request, a Freeman's representative will call you on the day of the auction to execute your bids over the phone to the auctioneer. You will be called approximately five lots before your item is scheduled to be sold. The Freeman's representative will communicate to you the bidding activity and will relay your bids to the auctioneer at your discretion.

Bidders may register to telephone bid by following the below steps:

1. Log-in to your account through the “Sign In” button in the top right corner of our website. You will find this feature when you “View Sale” from the auction schedule page.
2. Next, you will need to select the “Register to Bid” button, which will prompt first time buyers for additional information.
3. Once you are registered, select the “Request phone bid” button. Select or update your phone number. A message will confirm that your phone request has been submitted and you will receive an email confirmation.

Please note we can only accept telephone bids for lots with a low estimate of $300 or above unless noted differently online. Telephone bids may be requested online up to 2 hours prior to the auction start time.

While we encourage our clients to submit all absentee and telephone bidding requests online, as this is the most efficient manner to do so, we do accept manual requests. To place absentee bids or telephone bid requests manually, you may submit the Bid Form up to 24 hours in advance of the auction start via email to [email protected].

Any of our auctions that are designated as “Live” are free and open to the public with no obligation for attendees to bid. There is no need to come for the beginning of an auction and stay for the entire sale; you may come and go from the auction as you please. Registration requires your full contact information, photo identification, credit card information, your signature and agreement to the Conditions of Sale.

Once the auction begins, the auctioneer will clearly announce the lot number and bid increments as the bidding begins and proceeds. To place a bid, raise your paddle to the auctioneer for his or her recognition. When all the bidding is through, the auctioneer will give fair warning, sell the item to the final bidder and announce the price and successful paddle number. When you are finished bidding on the lots in which you are interested, please return your paddle to the front desk, examine your invoice and make arrangements for payment and pickup.

All accounts must include a valid credit card number as verification in order to bid in our auctions.

To request a condition report, visit the lot details page for the lot you're interested in and email the email address noted under the 'Auction Contact' section. All lots are sold “as is” according to our Conditions of Sale and are not returnable. Absence of a posted condition report does not indicate that an item is in perfect condition, and our staff is always happy to accommodate requests for condition status should time permit.

A buyer’s premium is an additional fee added to the hammer price of a successful bid. It helps cover the costs of conducting the auction.

Freeman's makes certain auctions available for bidding through our 3rd party auction partners, such as LiveAuctioneers, Bidsquare, Invaluable, and Artsy, among others. These auctions are always available for bidding directly through Freeman's with no additional fee however, if a buyer bids through a third-party platform the buyer agrees to pay a surcharge to Freeman’s LLC equal to the fee levied by the third-party platform. The third-party platform fee is in addition to the buyer’s premium.

If you are a successful bidder, you will receive an email confirmation along with your invoice within 24 hours after the close of an auction, along with payment options and instructions.

You are not required to use the same card, and we will never charge your card without your consent other than to verify authenticity.

We accept the following payment methods:

• Bank check
• Money order
• Wire transfer
• Credit card (Please note, if you intend to pay with a credit card, certain limit restrictions and processing fees will apply)

We reserve the right not to release property until a check clears the bank.

Payment is due within seven (7) business days of the end of the sale.

All won lots must be collected or shipped within thirty (30) days, or will be subject to storage fees.

Freeman's uses Arta’s fulfillment technology and end-to-end global services to ensure that purchases are properly shipped and insured. This is an independent entity from Freeman’s LLC. For more information about Arta, click here.

Freeman's Chicago office now only offers in-house shipping services for specific lots within Jewelry & Watches auctions. While Freeman's does not provide packing and shipping services, we do have a list of recommended third party shippers to assist you.

Please note all property must be removed from our premises within thirty (30) days following the last day of auction. Freeman's reserves the right to charge storage fees or to deliver said property to a public warehouse for storage at the purchaser’s expense. (Please see the Conditions of Sale)

You can find a complete list of recommended service providers for each Freeman's office location at our Shipping and Packing page.

Yes. Freeman's requires a written release for all property not collected by the purchaser. You may submit the Shipping Release Form via email to [email protected].

No, we do not allow for cancellations once a lot has been won. Remember that each bid placed enters you into a binding contract with Freeman's and the seller and is always subject to Freeman's Conditions of Sale and Terms of Use. Please only bid if you’re ready to purchase.

Auction houses provide global exposure, professional marketing, competitive bidding, and specialist expertise that can help maximize value for important property.

Freeman’s promotes auctions through targeted digital marketing, print advertising, email campaigns, social media, specialist outreach, and its international bidder network.

Strong-performing categories often include fine art, jewelry, watches, rare collectibles, design, luxury goods, and fresh-to-market estate property.

Freeman’s reaches collectors and institutions worldwide through its website, digital bidding platforms, and international marketing channels.

Auction sales can provide competitive market exposure, transparent pricing, and access to a global audience of active buyers, often maximizing value for desirable property.