7 Items You Should Never Buy at an Auction, According to Experts

Items You Can't See in Person

It can be difficult to get a true sense of what you’re buying unless you're able to see it in person, which is why experts say to avoid online auctions. “While auction houses generally provide condition reports, these are no substitute for your own in person examination,” says Kelly Cahn, an art advisor and appraiser. Even if you’re offered photographs, they have the potential to be misleading. Looking at an item in person allows you to assess any imperfections and gives you an accurate impression of the item.

Items That Can Easily Be Counterfeited

While most auction houses have thorough authentication processes, pieces can slip through the cracks. Avoid buying items at auction, such as fine art and antiques, without proper authentication or provenance to avoid bringing home a forgery or a fake, says Nicolas Martin, a flea market expert. Counterfeiters go to great lengths to make incredibly accurate and convincing replicas, so request documentation that ensures authenticity before placing a bid. 

Items That Need to Be Repaired

Unless you are particularly skilled and experienced when it comes to fixing up furniture and other household items (or know someone who is), forgo bidding on pieces that need to be repaired. “Be honest with yourself about your time, bandwidth, and skills,” says expert vintage shopper Sydney Bass.

Your first thought might be that painting, refinishing, or reupholstering a piece is easy and will make it look as good as new. However, before making a bid, carefully consider whether you'll actually follow through. The last thing you want is to spend money on something that will just sit in your garage indefinitely.

Artwork That Isn’t Listed in an Artist’s Catalogue Raisonné

If you’re considering purchasing a piece of fine art at an auction, be mindful of any work that is not included in the artist’s raisonné. A catalogue raisonné is an annotated listing of all of the works by an artist.

Pieces not listed in an artist's raisonné are difficult to resell, says Cahn. Worst case scenario, you might end up purchasing a forgery, but even if the piece is legitimate, it will be a hassle should you choose to sell it later on down the line. You’re better off avoiding it all together.

Items You Intend to Resell

If you see an item at an auction that seems like a good deal, you may consider buying it and trying to resell it for more. It’s important to keep in mind how hard it can be to resell an item for more than you paid for it. “Unless you’re an established seller, you may end up spending more time than what you can make,” says Bass.

Items Sold "As Is"

Sometimes an auction item will be sold “as-is,” meaning without any guarantees of functionality. This usually applies to items with moving parts, like vehicles, machinery, vintage watches, and electronics. “These items may have hidden defects or require expensive repairs that are not immediately apparent,” says Martin. Repairs on vintage items can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and sometimes, you can even end up with a non-functional or damaged item. Auctions usually don’t offer refunds, so be careful what you bid on, especially if it’s sold “as-is.”

Artwork in Need of Restoration

It’s not only the name of the artist or the visual appeal that should be considered when buying a piece of artwork at an auction. Condition is an incredibly significant factor, and it’s important to look for issues like tears, extensive cracking, flaking paint, paint loss, and water damage when assessing a painting at auction.

If you do notice condition issues, it’s not always a hard pass, but you’ll have to take a few extra steps to ensure the structural integrity of the painting. “You can consult with a trusted conservator to assess condition issues and get a better understanding of restoration options if you find something that does require treatment,” says Cahn. “I recommend finding conservators through the American Institute for Conservation.”