Question

Vivian goes to an auction and sees a rare antique lamp that is an identical match to one she already has. At the proper time she bids on the lamp and is the highest bidder. Even though she is the highest bidder, the auctioneer refuses to accept her bid and withdraws the lamp from the auction. Can the auctioneer do that?

Answer 1

Most auctions are without reserve and therefore the auctioneer cannot withdraw the lamp.

Step-by-step explanation:

Every auction seems to be either "of-reserve" versus "without-reserve." So the reaction to whether an auction house manages higher bids depends on that form of bidding being carried out. In an offering with reserves, the auction house may reject a higher offer (retain the privilege to reject ...) in which any better bid should be approved in an offering without deposit.

Put differently, the auction house is not obliged to deliver to the top purchaser in a with reserved sale. Essentially, the next bigger raise reflects the minimum price.