Auctions
Can You Offer Lower Than the Guide Price at Auction?
Yes — you can offer lower than the guide price at auction, though whether it’s accepted depends on the reserve. The guide price is only an indication to attract interest; the reserve (confidential) is the minimum the seller will accept. You can make a pre-auction offer below guide, and if a lot doesn’t sell on the day, you can often negotiate below guide afterwards. But strong bidding can also push the final price well above guide.
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- Guidejust an indication
- Reservethe real minimum
- Below guidepossible before/after
Guide price vs reserve price
The key to this question is understanding two different figures. The guide price is a marketing indication of where bidding might start — it’s deliberately set to attract interest and is not the minimum. The reserve price is the confidential minimum the seller will accept; the auctioneer can’t sell below it. The reserve is usually within about 10% of the guide. So an offer “below guide” may still succeed if it meets or beats the reserve — you just can’t see the reserve directly.
Making a pre-auction offer
Yes, you can offer below the guide price before the auction. Many auctioneers welcome pre-auction offers, and a seller may accept one to secure a sale early. Your offer needs to be attractive enough versus the reserve, and you must usually be ready to exchange immediately on auction terms (with the deposit and legal pack reviewed). A cheeky low offer may be rejected, but a sensible one below guide can absolutely succeed before the gavel.
Offering on unsold lots
| Scenario | Can you offer below guide? |
|---|---|
| Before the auction | Yes — pre-auction offer (must suit the reserve) |
| During the auction | Bidding sets the price; can exceed guide |
| Lot doesn’t sell (no bids meet reserve) | Yes — negotiate with the auctioneer afterwards |
| After the auction | Unsold lots are often available below guide |
Why bidding can go the other way
It’s worth remembering the guide price is a floor for interest, not a ceiling. A desirable lot with several keen bidders can sell well above the guide — sometimes far above. So while you can offer below guide, in a competitive room you may need to bid well over it to win. Set your maximum in advance and stick to it, factoring in the buyer’s premium and fees on top of the hammer price.
For sellers — the flip side
If you’re the seller, this is why the reserve matters more than the guide: set the reserve at the lowest figure you’d genuinely accept, because that — not the guide — protects you. If you want a guaranteed price and date without the uncertainty of bidding (or the risk of a lot not selling), compare auction against a cash sale, which gives a firm offer and completion in 7–28 days (see what sells well at auction).
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Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
Can you offer lower than the guide price at auction?
Yes — especially with a pre-auction offer or on a lot that doesn’t sell. Whether it’s accepted depends on the confidential reserve, which is the real minimum the seller will take.
What’s the difference between guide price and reserve?
The guide price is a marketing indication to attract interest and isn’t the minimum. The reserve is the confidential minimum the seller will accept — the auctioneer can’t sell below it.
Can I make an offer before the auction?
Yes — many auctioneers welcome pre-auction offers. It must be attractive versus the reserve, and you usually need to be ready to exchange immediately on auction terms.
Can I offer below guide on an unsold lot?
Often yes — if a lot doesn’t sell because no bid met the reserve, you can usually negotiate with the auctioneer afterwards, sometimes below the guide.
Can auction prices go above the guide?
Yes — the guide is a floor for interest, not a ceiling. A desirable lot with keen bidders can sell well above guide, so set your maximum in advance and include fees.
How does the reserve protect a seller?
The auctioneer can’t sell below the reserve, so it’s your real protection — set it at the lowest figure you’d genuinely accept, not the guide.