| Aspect | Open bidding | Sealed bidding |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Open throughout: leading bid, history and bid count all visible | Anonymous throughout: no one else's bid is visible |
| How you bid | Add or remove one increment; no typed amounts; proxy available | Type an amount, revisable (only the latest bid stands) |
| Price paid | Hammer price = highest bid, not reduced | Second-highest bid + one increment; with one bid, reserve + one increment |
| Timing | Each lot opens and closes on its own, staggered | Scheduled sessions: viewing then bidding, twice daily |
| Anti-sniping | A bid in the last two minutes extends the lot by five | None — the session closes; bids after 17:00 do not rank |
| Payment terms | A winning bid cannot be withdrawn | Pay within four hours; otherwise the order closes and the deposit is forfeited |
| Cost to bid | Free for buyers | Free for buyers, no platform fee |
| Best for | Reading the market, bidding live, chasing scarcity | Avoiding runaway bidding; disciplined bidding pays off |
Comparison
Open vs Sealed Bidding — The Differences That Matter
Open bidding shows the price throughout, closes lot by lot, and settles at the highest bid. Sealed bidding is anonymous, runs in scheduled sessions, and settles at the second-highest bid plus one increment. The table below compares eight aspects.
Comparison
Eight aspects side by side
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