What is a Priority Bid?
Priority Bids are written, binding bids that must be placed no less than 48 hours in advance of an auction’s start time. The bid must be equal to or greater than the lot’s published low estimate and placed using Phillips’ absentee bid forms.
Bidders who have placed Priority Bids ahead of the auction, if they are the winning bidder and satisfy the other conditions of Priority Bidding, will benefit from a Buyer’s Premium rate which is significantly lower than the Buyer’s Premium rate otherwise. This benefit applies whether their winning bid is at the amount of their early Priority Bid or a higher bid placed subsequently by them bidding live in the auction.
The new Buyer’s Premium structure featuring Priority Bidding rates is effective from 1 September 2025 and applies to all live auctions in the Fall 2025 season and for all categories, excluding Watches.
Watch auctions (both live and timed online auctions) will continue using the same Buyer’s Premium rates that applied in the spring 2025 sale season and will not be eligible for Priority Bidding. Details of these rates can be found here.
Timed online-only auctions will be subject to the new standard Buyer’s Premium rates and are not currently eligible for Priority Bidding. You can find details of these rates here.
How do I place a Priority Bid?
To be eligible for a lower Buyer’s Premium through the scheme, you must leave a written bid at least 48 hours before the auction. The bid must be a written absentee bid.
Submitting Priority Bids is simple:
• Complete Phillips’ Absentee Bid Form with details of the Absentee Bid(s) you want to submit. You can download and complete the Bid Form here.
• Ensure your written absentee Bids are at or above the published low estimate of the Lots you are bidding on.
• Sign and send the form to Phillips’ Bids Department in the auction location before the 48-hour pre-auction cut-off. Forms can be emailed using the contact details found below.
Please note that Priority Bids cannot be cancelled.
Bids New York
bidsnewyork@phillips.com
+ 1 212 940 1228
Bids London
bidslondon@phillips.com
+ 44 20 7318 4045
Bids Hong Kong
bidshongkong@phillips.com
+ 852 2318 2029
Bids Geneva
bidsgeneva@phillips.com
+ 44 20 7318 4045
Bids Paris
bidsparis@phillips.com
+ 44 20 7318 4045
If you satisfy the criteria for a qualifying Priority Bid, you will receive an email confirmation from Phillips’ Bids Department in the auction location, acknowledging your Priority Bids.
More questions? View the full FAQ, including sample scenarios, or contact the bids team to discuss further.
Learn more about Priority Bidding >