Auctions have been around since about 500 B.C. First recorded in Babylonia as wedding auctions, they didn't really take off till the Roman times. The Romans were the first to use the components of the auctions we have today. Players such as the consignor, buyer, and auctioneer (promoter, advertiser) were first used in Rome. The "Spoils of War" were auctioned off as well as personal property. The Latin word for auction is auctus, meaning to increase.

Auctions continued to evolve through the centuries. In fact, Sotheby's was established in 1744 and Christie's was founded in 1766. Sachs 5th Auction isn't quite as old. It was founded in 1998 by Lorraine Sachs Garcia and Anthony Garcia. End of history lesson.

Auctions not only are a venue to buy and sell, they can be wonderful entertainment. Our talented auctioneers keep the pace going. It's fun to watch two bidders vying for an item. It's even more fun to win an item, especially if it is a bargain. Our auctions are simulcast with audio on the internet. So, those of you on the internet can experience the auction fever as well. For those of you that can attend our auctions on-site, we have a relaxed atmosphere, clean restroom facilities, and food is available provided by the Breakfast Optimist Club. It should be noted that Sachs 5th Auction receives no proceeds from the Optimist's concession sales.

Of course, Auctioning is a serious business. We are obligated to obtain the highest price possible for our consignors. We are also obligated to our buyers to represent the items as accurately as possible.

We are very proud of our auction house. Although fast paced, we don't go so fast that someone new to auctions can't follow. If you scratch your nose or wave at a friend and we take that as a bid, we will back out that "bid" upon your request. Just jump up and down, immediately, and let us know you didn't mean it! Auctions are fun, and you can find items you can't find anywhere else, sometimes at a bargain!

Seriously, It is a good idea to know something about auctions, how they work, and about the merchandise you are bidding on. Take a bit of time to read the Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions, contact us! We love to introduce new people to our auctions, and let them know how fun and easy it is. We post the lots in our catalog with photographs on Proxibid at least a week before the auction. We describe the lot as accurately as possible and include at least one photo. Hint: Click on the photo to see if there are additional photos to view. Whether you intend to bid onsite or online, this gives you an opportunity to do some research on your own about the item. We also post some preview photos on our Catalog Page as items are inventoried.

The first thing you need to do to bid, is to register. On-site you fill out a form with your name, address, and phone number, plus an email address if you have one. You are then issued a bidder's card (also known as a bidder's paddle) with your bidder's number. Online, you need to register with Proxibid. We ask for a credit card number for our online bidders. We ask that you register a least the day before the auction. If there are any problems, this gives you time to resolve any issues. We don't want you to miss a chance to bid. Proxibid has outstanding customer service. They are available online and by phone. They will walk you through the registration process if need be.

Want to bid online? You do not have to register to watch an auction. You may find it useful to watch a few auctions on Proxibid before you actually register and bid. Naturally, we want you to register and bid at our auction! However, we don't want you to miss bidding at our auction because it appears to be foreign territory. Proxibid has a great Help Page that answers many questions you may have.

Our auctions are On-site and Online in Real Time. This greatly expands the buyer base, exposing your consignments to buyers from all over the world. Visit our page at www.proxibid.com/sachs to view some of our past auctions.

It is in our best interest to attract as wide a buyer base as possible. Your consignor's fee covers advertising, both in print & online. We advertise in publications all over the State of New Mexico as well as in several prominent online directories. Sachs 5th Auction also sends email to several thousand prospective buyers before each auction. We mail postcards to our buyers that do not have internet access.

Your consignor's fee also includes the preparation of the catalog. Photos and a description are included with each lot. We attempt to do research on unique items. However, time constraints may not make it possible to research an item as thoroughly as we would like. Provenance is important for the description of a valuable item. It is important to attach a note and/or appraisal to the item so we may describe it better.

We are always seeking quality consignments. Please contact Lorraine Sachs Garcia to discuss whether Sachs 5th Auction is the best vehicle to sell your items.

Take a moment to read our Terms and Conditions. If you have any questions, please contact us. We strive to hold the best, most professional auctions possible, held anywhere.

We will be adding more information to Auctions 101 in the future.

Click Here to view a glossary of common auction terms. It requires Adobe Reader which is a free download from the Adobe site.