Auctions are for idiots ! You are likely to get a low price and then pay a hefty commission on it too. If you know the fair value of an item sell it privately based on that. At auction, you are at the mercy of whoever turns up, or doesn't, on the day. Talk of bidding wars only apply for unique objects such as plots of land, famous paintings etc., anything else is just a commodity and buyers want a bargain. Add to that the crazy buyers' and sellers' fees and the only winners are the auctioneers.