Circa runs its own bidding platform. This page is the whole process, including the parts most auction houses bury.
Five steps, start to finish.
- 01
Register on the bid platform
Create an account on bid.circaauctionhouse.com and register for the sale. Registration to bid is a binding agreement to buy any lot you win, so read the conditions first.
- 02
Browse and save
Work through the catalogue here, save the lots you are following, and book a preview to inspect them at Mission Road. Ask us for extra images or measurements on anything.
- 03
Bid absentee or live
Leave a maximum bid ahead of the sale and the platform bids for you in the published increments, or bid live while the sale runs. The auctioneer's determination is final on any dispute.
- 04
Pay within 72 hours
Invoices are due within 72 hours of receipt unless stated otherwise. Title passes only once payment has been received and cleared, and lots are released only after that.
- 05
Collect within 10 days
Pickup happens at 249 South Mission Road by arrangement. Circa does not pack, crate or ship — collect yourself or send a shipper. Storage is charged after 10 days.
Hammer price, plus 20%.
The buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price, plus applicable California sales tax. Results published on this site are hammer prices and exclude the premium.
Payment is made on the bid platform. Failure to pay within the required timeframe is a breach of the buyer agreement, and Circa may cancel the sale, charge the registered payment method or reoffer the lot.
Bid increments
| Current bid | Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 – 999 | $50 |
| $1,000 – 4,999 | $100 |
| $5,000 – 9,999 | $250 |
| $10,000 – 49,999 | $500 |
| $50,000 and above | $1,000 |
Invoices, title and cleared funds.
- When payment is due
- Invoices are due within 72 hours upon receipt unless otherwise stated. Circa may cancel a sale, reopen bidding or reoffer a lot if payment is not received in time.
- When the piece becomes yours
- Title transfers only after full payment has been received and cleared. Items are released once payment has cleared — not before.
- Risk
- All risk of loss transfers to the buyer at the fall of the hammer, and Circa does not insure items after the designated pickup period.
- Chargebacks
- Buyers agree not to initiate credit card chargebacks or payment reversals related to an auction purchase. See the conditions of sale.
Circa does not pack or ship. Here is how collection works.
The winning bidder arranges pickup, either in person or through a shipper of their choice. Ask us and we will pass on preferred shipper information.
The winning bidder is responsible for promptly arranging the pickup of items from 249 South Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Contact us at (310) 303-8466 or info@circaauctionhouse.com to schedule a convenient pickup date and time. If you are unable to personally pick up your items, you will need to arrange for a shipping service of your choice to handle the pickup and delivery.
Circa Auction LLC does not provide packing, crating or shipping services, and assumes no responsibility for damage occurring during packing, shipping or transportation arranged by the buyer. Items are released only once payment has been received in full and cleared.
Answered before you ask.
Do I need an account on this site to bid?
No. Bidding happens on bid.circaauctionhouse.com and that account is the only one you need. Saved lots and project boards on this site live in your browser and are separate from your bidding account.
Can I bid if I cannot attend on the day?
Yes. Leave an absentee (maximum) bid on the lot ahead of the sale and the platform bids on your behalf up to that amount, in the published increments. You can also bid live from your phone while the sale runs.
What does a lot actually cost me?
The hammer price plus a 20% buyer's premium, plus applicable California sales tax. Published results on this site are hammer prices and exclude the premium.
Can I see a lot before I bid?
Yes, and we would rather you did. Previews at Mission Road run by appointment until the sale — 30 or 60 minutes, and we pull your saved lots out beforehand.
What condition are pieces in?
Every lot is sold as is. Many pieces have spent decades outdoors and carry patina, weathering and wear. Catalogue photographs are for identification and may not show everything, so inspect in person or ask us for additional images and measurements before you bid.
Does Circa ship?
No. Circa Auction LLC does not provide packing, crating or shipping services. Winning bidders arrange pickup from 249 South Mission Road, or appoint a shipper of their choice to collect. Ask us and we will share preferred shipper information.
What happens if I leave a lot too long?
Payment and pickup must happen within 10 days of the sale, at the buyer's cost and risk. After that, storage is charged at $25 per lot per day, and lots uncollected after 21 days are considered abandoned and may be resold.