Getting Started
Our online fundraising auctions are hosted by iRostrum, who we have partnered with for many years.
Before you can browse and bid you need to register your contact details – this is very quick and easy to do.
1. Follow the link here to register:
If you have registered previously then please log-in and check your contact details are still correct. The register/sign in area is positioned top right.
2. Complete your contact details.
We need to know how to contact you, but we do not need your payment details at this stage.
We use your contact details for invoicing of successful (winning) bids and also for organising delivery/tracking updates so it is very important that the details are correct. Your details remain confidential at all times. When you place a bid, you are only identifiable online by a unique client number and not by your name (the client number can be seen where it says ‘Bidding History’ when bidding on a desktop/laptop – it is often not visible when bidding on a phone).
3.Verify your Email
If you are registering for the first time, you’ll be sent an automatic verification email to confirm your email address – please look out for it and follow the instructions. It may be in your Spam folder.
4.Browse and Bid
Once you have gone through the verification process, you can browse and bid. Simply scroll through the lots, or search the catalogue by artist name or lot number.
Bidding
The online auction platform works in a similar way to eBay and is easy to use.
1.Placing a bid
The lot will say one of two things:
OPENING BID (it will tell you what the opening bid is)
or
SELLING (it will tell you what the current highest bid is and what you need to bid to exceed it)
Before you bid, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions.
Please read the lot description, view the images and establish whether the lot is sold framed or unframed before you bid.
You then enter your bid as a whole number (no currency sign required) e.g, 500 for £500
Please be careful and check the number you have entered before you press PLACE BID e.g, 500 and not 50000.
You cannot cancel your bid once it is placed.
2.Placing a maximum bid
You can also enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a lot – other people cannot see this – only you can see this when you are logged in.
Should someone else start bidding on the lot, bidding will increase by set increments up to your maximum limit. If you are outbid you will receive an email notification. You can then choose whether to review your maximum bid but will need to do this before the lot closes.
Do not assume you are the highest bidder – always check! Before a lot closes there can be a lot of last minute bidding activity.
If you bid the same highest amount as someone else then the first person to log that highest amount first will take priority – the system will tell you that you need to increase your bid so make sure you refresh the page and check the status of the lot – do not assume you are the highest bidder.
3.Winning a bid
Lots close at the scheduled time however please note if someone is bidding against you, the time the lot closes will automatically extend by approximately two to three minutes for each and every additional bid received.
This is to enable all bidders the chance to review their next/final bid, and to bid again if they wish – just like a live auction room. This can be very exciting in the final stages of the auction. You cannot ‘swoop’ last minute and steal a lot. There is no merit to leaving your bid to the last few seconds. Other bidders will always be offered the opportunity to reply to the highest bid.
The participant with the highest bid at the close of the lot is obligated to buy the item. If no one bids at or above the reserve/opening price, the lot will close without a buyer.
There is no buyer’s premium and no hammer fee – what you pay is what you bid, plus postage & packaging (shipping costs). See the INFORMATION tab – Sales Notice.
4.Bid History
If you are logged in to the auction site on a desktop or laptop you will see a small grey icon to the right of the lot number and name. If you click on this it will turn blue and show you a timeline of bidding on that lot. Bidders are identified by a unique number and not by their name.
5.Notes
As with all auctions, some lots will sell well, reaching or exceeding their value and some will not.
Most bidding activity happens in the final day.
By placing an opening bid, or bidding early in the process you will give yourself a shot at securing an artwork at an attractive low price, but just try to remember how many hours of work have gone into that artwork, and the reason it has been so generously donated. Some works are sold framed/ready to hang so please consider this when making your bid.
We hope you will bid generously in the knowledge you are not only purchasing a beautiful artwork for your home but you are also supporting an important cause.
Winning Bids
Payment
If your bid is successful, you will receive an automatic confirmation email on the day.
You will then receive an email notification in the week asking you to log in and view your invoice – usually within 3 days. If you have not received this by the end of the week please do log in and check.
Delivery
Delivery options depend on where you live, and the lot(s) purchased (it’s size and weight, and whether or not it is framed/canvas etc) We work with Royal Mail, courier services as well as sometimes offering select pick up locations. As a guide, Royal Mail secure postage & packaging is charged at £20+ (UK delivery) and from £28+ (International delivery).
Courier charges for larger framed artworks are quoted individually. You also have the option to arrange your own courier pick-up, if that is preferable.
It is possible to group artworks together for despatch to the same address. We try to do this whenever possible.
Collection
You can collect from Explorer HQ in Happisburgh Norfolk by appointment, as long as the invoice has been paid. Please arrange a day/time with us in advance so we can make sure we have your lots ready for you.
Payment
Payment should be made promptly please by direct transfer to the account detailed on your invoice. International buyers have the option to pay by PayPal on a card. All details will be provided on the invoice.
We aim to process all payments and despatch all lots within a fortnight.
Your support is greatly appreciated! Thank you.
To view our current auction please visit here>>
Artwork shown by Mark Adlington (featured in Spring Auction, 29 March 2025)
