Attending an auction for the first time can be intimidating—there are so many things to remember it can make your head spin.  What are 5 things that you DON’T want to do when you attend an auction?

Don’t raise your hands in the air if you’re not bidding.  It might seem silly, but an ill-timed hand gesture (like waving at a friend or a family member) just might land you a bid on an item—especially if you are in the front row.

Bidding on an item when you don’t have a bidder’s number.  There will be times when you are running late to an auction—make sure that you stop and get a bidder’s number first (this number will let the auction company who is buying the item).  When it comes to bidding on (and eventually winning) an item, this can be rude because the auctioneer must stop and figure out what number you can use.

Don’t hide items from other bidders.  This could be taking items out of one lot and tucking them into another or an item off a table and putting it in a box lot that you plan to bid on.  This not only throws off the crowd on where the item is, and it also potentially throws off a lot number that is assigned to a lot that corresponds to an estate or consignment.

Don’t bid on an item if you don’t want it.  Everyone is at the auction to get a good deal on an item they want.  The only thing that can happen with driving up the price on an item is that this makes people at the sale mad at you.

Stealing is not a good idea.  It does not matter if it is from the auction or the person that just bought it—stealing can get you into a world of trouble. This is only 5 things that you do not want to do at an auction.

What are some of the other things that you don’t do at an auction?