Antique Auction

Download a printable PDF of buyer information.

• Bidding:  The minimum opening bid accepted is $5.00 per item, per choice, or per grouping of merchandise. All items, unless otherwise stated, are sold with a reserved bid. Remember, all merchandise is sold “as is” or as represented by consignor only. Be sure to inspect the merchandise prior to bidding. Shipshewana Auction, Inc. assumes no responsibility for damaged or stolen merchandise. Please show the clerk and auctioneer your buyer number card when bidding. There will be a $1 Ticket Fee per transaction. * 1 lot = A sale transaction regardless of how many items are in that lot.
• Buyer Numbers:  A buyer number card is required to make purchases. Visit the Auction office to register for a buyer number with a valid driver’s license (must be 18 years of age). Buyer cards are $5, and duplicate cards are available for $1 each. Buyer numbers expire at the end of each calendar year. New cards are required each year. A valid driver’s license is required to obtain an auction buyer number. Please show your buyer number card when making purchases and payments. Buyer numbers can be obtained during office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, year-round.
• Parking:  A Parking Fee is required from Memorial Day through September and is collected by the gate attendant. Enter from the North or West gate for preferred auction parking. Season preferred parking permits are available to purchase in the office for $35.00.
• Terms of Sale:  We accept cash, check or credit card. A 5% buyer’s premium will be added to all credit card payments, which will be waived if you pay with cash or check. Sales tax will be collected on all purchases unless a sales tax number is registered in the office. All merchandise must be paid for and removed the day of the auction. A 10% Buyer’s Premium will be added to any merchandise not paid day of sale. Storage of leftover items will be assessed a fee of $25 per item. Shipshewana Auction Inc. also reserves the right to charge a “Trash Removal Fee” for items left behind by seller or if deemed excessive by Shipshewana Auction staff. Private exchange of merchandise between buyers and consignors is prohibited. A penalty may be imposed for this violation. Merchandise is 100 percent the responsibility of the buyer after the item is sold. For larger items, you may purchase “sold” stickers from the office.
• Tips for Inexperienced Auction Buyers:  Listen carefully! When groups of items or like items are offered, the auctioneer will specify the terms prior to the sale. Watch out for sets of chairs, glasses, dishes, etc. because often these items are sold by the piece, times your bid amount. Please pay attention because you are obligated to pay for that purchase even though you may not have heard what the auctioneer announced. But most importantly, have fun bidding!

This is a live auction with multiple auctioneers going at the same time (6-9 rings). Buyers move from ring to ring to catch the best deals and the best merchandise. See below for auction building floor plan and information on locations and start positions.