If you have questions regarding any of the bidding options with Theriault’s you may either call 1-800-638-0422, e-mail one of our representatives, or read the FAQ’s that answer many of the standard questions.

QUESTION: I have never bid with Theriault’s, do I need to be pre-approved?
ANSWER: If you are attending in person there is no need to be pre-approved. Just bring a valid Drivers License or Passport and our staff will get you registered and approved on-the-spot for this, and all future events.

QUESTION: What are the payment options?
ANSWER: Theriault’s accepts checks and cash, as well MasterCard and Visa, for all invoices. If using a combination of credit card and check you should let one of our staff know ahead of time so that they can pre-split the invoice for you.

QUESTION: I am worried that the auction will be fast, confusing, and I will not be able to keep up.
ANSWER: One of the great hallmarks of Theriault auctions is the aspect of being approachable, easy, and fun for every level of collector and auction experience. We go at a pace that is refreshing and easy to follow. The atmosphere is informal – joking is allowed! And we make certain that everyone feels included and part of the experience regardless of budget or collecting history.

QUESTION: When should I arrive?
ANSWER: Most sales (with the exception of special events) offer a two-hour window prior to the sale in which to exhibit and view the dolls. This is, by far, the greatest advantage to coming to an auction in person. To see the dolls first-hand, as well as to witness the wonderful Theriault displays, makes for not only a best approach to selecting dolls for your collection – but a chance to learn about new categories you may have otherwise not noticed. And you will meet some wonderful collectors as well!

QUESTION: How long will the auction last?
ANSWER: While you may come (and go) as you please a typical auction of 300+ lots will average about 5-7 hours. Trust us though that the time will zip by as you witness, learn, and laugh amidst the fun and lively atmosphere.

QUESTION: Can I bring family and friends?
ANSWER: The more the merrier!

QUESTION: When should I submit my bids?
ANSWER: As soon as you are ready just call customer service at 1-800-638-0422 or email info@theriaults.com at least 12 hours prior to the auction start time. You may also fax your bids to 410-224-2515.

QUESTION: How much should I bid?
ANSWER: Bid to your maximum limit with the comfort of knowing that it will be executed in a competitive matter meaning that you might not necessarily have to go to your final limit.

QUESTION: I want to bid on a number of items - is there a limit to how many?
ANSWER: You may submit absentee bids for as many items as you like. The sky is the limit!

QUESTION: Can I bid below the estimate?
ANSWER: Sure, give it a try! However, be aware that most dolls actually go above the estimate, especially for rare and desirable models.

QUESTION: What does it mean to “round a bid?”
ANSWER: Sometimes your opening bid may not exactly fall into the increment amounts for that particular piece. Thus, if you bid $2050.00 you might find that the bidding starts at $1,000.00 for you - which in turn would make your final bid $2,000.00 as the increments would be $100.00 for this amount. If you opt for a rounding of your bid it means that you are willing to go to the next increment above your bid so to avoid the disappointment of missing out so closely to your final bid.

QUESTION: Do I need to establish pre-approval to absentee bid?
ANSWER: If you have never bid with Theriault’s you will simply need to call in advance and customer service will be able to get you approved in a matter of seconds. If you have bid with Theriault’s before, either live, on the internet, or absentee you are already approved.

QUESTION: How can I find out afterwards if I was successful?
ANSWER: While we will send you an invoice within a few days after the sale, you are also welcome to call our toll-free line at 1-800-638-0422 48 hours after the auction and one of our representatives can provide you with information on prices realized and which items you were successful with.

QUESTION: How do I arrange a phone bid?
ANSWER: Simply call our toll free number at 1-800-638-0422 to speak with one of our friendly staff who will arrange everything for you and explain the simple procedure. It is best to call at least 24 hours before the sale to assure that everything is properly set-up for you.

QUESTION: Do I have to call you during the auction?
ANSWER: No, the greatest aspect of phone bidding is the simple formula in which it proceeds. We call you directly at a number you establish at the time of making your reservation. All you need to do is remain accessible to that number.

QUESTION: Is there a charge for phone bidding?
ANSWER: No, it is a complimentary service we provide at Theriault’s. Even the call is on us!

QUESTION: Am I obligated to bid if I am called on the phone?
ANSWER: Absolutly not. Our only requirement, given the very high demand for phone lines on many of the popular lots, is that you are at least willing to go to the low end of the estimate should the bidding reach that amount. Theriault’s only allows 3-4 lines per lot and as such we want to make certain that we have assured a serious level of interest on the piece so as not be forced to turn others away who are willing to go to the estimate and more. Of course, you are welcome to bid less than the estimate, but we suggest that you use the alternative of absentee or internet bidding for those items.

QUESTION: When can I expect your person to call during the auction?
ANSWER: Typically our representative will call 1-2 lots prior to the piece coming up in the sale. This allows for you to settle in to the auction for a few minutes and to be ready for action. However, there are certain times that we may be forced to call you as the item is already being offered as previous pieces may have caused a backlog of phone lines. Thus, be ready to go regardless. Don’t worry though…we will call!

QUESTION: What time can I expect a call?
ANSWER: The varying pace of every auction makes it impossible to give you an accurate range. A rough formula is to gage a sale at the pace of approx 30-50 lots per hour (slower in the beginning and faster towards the end).

QUESTION: Can I phone bid at an Estate Auction?
ANSWER: At this time we only allow phone bidding at our Marquis Cataloged Auctions. You may though bid online (either live or as pre-bids) and also leave absentee bids.

QUESTION: Is phone bidding better than live Internet bidding?
ANSWER: We think so. Given all the variables of technology glitches can happen, and there is nothing more frustrating to want to bid on a doll you have waited years for only to find your computer crashing 30 seconds before you are to start bidding. That is why we suggest phone bids as a more sure-fire way to assure your participation on the items that are very important to you. Save the Internet for those other pieces that you might want to “jump-in” on if the price is right. Further, you can always follow along on the Internet if you are phone bidding so as to get a feel for the auction and have Proxibid as a backup should your phone somehow go down!

QUESTION: Does Theriault manage the system for Internet bidding?
ANSWER: We have partnered for many years with the firm Proxibid to manage the entire platform of online bidding for us so as to assure superlative technology, very approachable customer service, and a system that is designed to be used with ease, even by those who might feel “technologically challenged.” You can learn more about this exceptional firm and their commitment to collectors at www.proxibid.com.

QUESTION: What does Internet bidding mean?
ANSWER: Two things really. The system allows you to either place bids ahead of the auction date that will be executed for you automatically by the system during the auction (you do not have to be online during the auction). Or, if you prefer to experience the excitement in real-time you are also able to follow the sale as it progresses live, lot by lot, and place bids in real time as if you were in the crowd. The greatest feature that Proxibid offers is a state of the art simulcast system that allows you to see and hear the auction as if you were right there in the front row!

QUESTION: Do I need to register in advance?
ANSWER: Yes, it is quite simple though and the approval process typically takes just a few minutes. Once you have completed the initial registration your user name and password are set for all future auctions. Thus, in the future, all you will need to do is log-in to each sale to have access to all bidding functions.

QUESTION: Exactly how does the pre-bid option work?
ANSWER: Simply place the maximum amount you wish to bid. You may elect to start at that higher amount or, if not, the program will automatically begin the bidding at the low-end of the estimate. An example: if you bid $1000.00 on a doll that has an estimate of $300/$400 the bidding will open at $300.00 and will only go up if other bids are received online prior to the sale or should bids be placed at the actual auction.

QUESTION: I made a pre-bid of $1000.00, the item sold for that, but I was not the winner. What happened?
ANSWER: In some cases your first bid might have been at an increment that would not allow your final amount to equal your final bid. An example here would be that the pre-bid opening had to be $450.00 (as someone had already bid $400.00) in which case that would become your increment base. Thus, your final bid would in fact be $950.00 as the next bid to you (if someone bids $1000.00) would be $1050 or $1100. An option to this would be to leave a written absentee bid with Theriault’s directly in which case you may opt to round-off your bid to the next increment should this occur.

QUESTION: I really want to try the live bidding function to feel as if I am there as well as to have more flexibility. Does it really work?
ANSWER: Indeed it does. And, the most successful bidders are those who do bid live as they have that flexibility to push a bit harder if needed. Further, the pace of a Theriault auction is slower than one might typically find in the general auction field which does allow for a better flow in which to keep up nicely at home.

QUESTION: Can glitches happen?
ANSWER: Sure. As with all technology “stuff happens.” You will find though that this exceptional system, which has been designed by Proxibid, rarely has any problems from the auction end. Most glitches happen on the user side (connections are dropped, computers freeze up etc.). While it is rare, it can be quite disappointing if the occurrence is exactly at the moment you are trying to bid on the doll of your dreams. Thus, for very important items we always suggest phone bidding to assure your bases are covered. Use the online function as a jump-in for dolls that you see might be going for a reasonable price and would be a nice addition to your collection.

QUESTION: Do you charge an additional premium for online bidding?
ANSWER: No, Theriault’s is one of the few auction houses in the world that does not charge an additional premium for online bidding. We love to encourage your participation in every way possible…just as if you were there!

QUESTION: How soon after the auction will I receive my invoice?
ANSWER: Typically within 7-10 business days. If you are anxious to receive your new “friends” however you may call our toll-free number 1-800-638-0422 to get a verbal review of the bill and to pay with a credit card over the phone. That will expedite the process greatly.

QUESTION: I am not sure I want to bid - do I have to register just to view the online catalog?
ANSWER: Of course not. The online catalog is a free feature and is fully accessible to all. You will only need to register online if you would like to actually bid at the auction via the Proxibid system.