Bidding FAQ

In a timed auction, a bid placed in a lot's final moments extends that lot's clock, so a last-second bid never wins by surprise and everyone has time to answer. Each auction publishes its own extension window; it appears here, read from the auction's settings, whenever an auction is open for bidding.

The new closing time shows on the lot page straight away. In a Timed → Live auction, lots have no closing clock at all — the auctioneer closes each lot with the hammer.

A maximum bid is the most you are willing to bid for a lot. The platform then bids on your behalf against other bidders, one increment at a time — only as much as it takes to keep you in the lead, and never past your maximum. Your maximum is held privately — other bidders can't see it — and you can raise it at any time.

If you are the leading bidder, you can lower your maximum, but no further than the current bid — the bids already placed for you stand. A maximum cannot be cancelled outright once bidding has reached it.

The maximum placed first wins the tie. The earlier bidder stays in the lead at that amount, and the later maximum counts as outbid — the lot page tells you if your maximum has been matched by an earlier one, so you can raise it.

No. A bid is binding under the Conditions of Sale, and the platform has no way to withdraw one. If you have made a mistake, message the auctioneer from the lot page or contact FORTUNA straight away via the contact page, by email at info@FortunaAuction.com, or by phone at +1 (212) 389-9040.

Some lots carry a reserve: a confidential minimum price below which the lot will not sell. The lot page shows only whether the reserve has been met — never the amount. If bidding ends below the reserve, the lot is passed, not sold. A lot with no reserve sells to the highest bidder whatever the price.

If your maximum reaches a lot's reserve, the price may move up to the reserve straight away. Occasionally the auctioneer lifts a reserve during the sale; the lot page announces it, and the lot then sells to the highest bidder.

Some lots show a Buy Now price. In this release the platform displays the price but does not take Buy Now purchases — if you would like to buy a lot at its Buy Now price, contact FORTUNA. Buy Now is withdrawn once bidding comes within a step of the Buy Now price, in the final hours before the lot closes, or if FORTUNA withdraws it.

Registration is normally approved straight away. It stays pending if you registered while the auction was already in its closing minutes (a member of FORTUNA's team then approves you by hand), if FORTUNA needs more information from you, or if a lot you have bid on is a high-value lot that needs separate approval. The lot page updates as soon as you are approved; in the meantime you can reach FORTUNA directly from any lot page.

When you register for an auction you receive a paddle number for that sale. It is how your bids appear to other bidders — “Paddle 714” rather than your name — and how the auctioneer refers to you in a live sale. You will find it under My Account, beside each auction you have registered for.

Nothing is lost. Bids and maximums are recorded on FORTUNA's server the moment they are accepted, so a maximum you have set keeps bidding for you whether or not you are connected. When your connection returns, the lot page reconnects and refreshes itself with the current bid, your maximum and any bid awaiting the auctioneer. A bid you were placing as the connection dropped counts only if the page confirmed it — check the lot page once you are back.

Yes. Open the lot that is on the block, or follow the auction from any lot page and it takes you to the lot on the block automatically. The page shows the auctioneer's current ask: tap to bid it, or set a maximum and let the platform bid for you. Your bid goes to the auctioneer, and the page tells you when it has been accepted. Everything works in your phone's browser — there is nothing to install.

FORTUNA's team can pause a lot. While it is paused the clock is frozen and no bids are accepted — the lot page says so and shows the time remaining. When bidding resumes, the lot gets back the time it had left; a lot paused in its final moments is given a short fresh window instead, so nobody is caught out.

Tap “Follow This Lot” on any lot page. Followed lots are marked on the auction page, and its “Watched” filter shows just those. When you are signed in, your follows are saved to your account; otherwise they are kept on the device you are using. Following does not place a bid, and the platform does not send alerts for followed lots — keep the lot page open, or check back, for the live countdown.

Open the lot: when you have won it, the lot page says so and shows the hammer price. Each auction you have registered for — with your status and paddle number — is listed under My Account.

FORTUNA sends winners an invoice by email after the sale, followed by email and text-message reminders. These come from FORTUNA, not from the bidding platform. If you have won a lot and have not heard from FORTUNA, get in touch via the contact page, by email at info@FortunaAuction.com, or by phone at +1 (212) 389-9040.