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Auction Process

Bright. Modern. Accessible

Our Auction Center on the edge of Stratford is built for live and online auctions, with computerized systems for fast, accurate registration and checkout.

Downsizing or settling an estate, your items receive professional handling and maximum exposure. Our old-fashioned service with modern technology combination that sets us apart. 

If you have one item or an entire estate to sell, our auction team will handle every detail, from pickup and cataloguing to sale management and proceeds settlement.

Estate & Online Auctions (Monthly online auctions)

The smartest, fastest way to sell personal property from antiques, household contents to farm equipment. 

Shackleton’s runs monthly online auctions that reach active, registered bidders across Canada and North America. Our auction platform is trusted, transparent, and designed to get you maximum value for every lot.

  • Free item evaluation & consultation
  • Professional cataloguing, photography & lot descriptions
  • Online bidding platform with soft-close technology
  • Marketing to our database of registered bidders
  • Secure payment processing & buyer management
  • Post-sale settlement and reporting

If you have one item or an entire estate to sell, our auction team will handle every detail, from pickup and cataloguing to sale management and proceeds settlement.

Contact to an Auction Expert
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Current Auctions
Farm Auctions
Rated 5 out of 5

What Our Clients Are Saying

“Shackleton’s Auction in Stratford has a professionalism that stands above and beyond any other auction company. The photographs of the items are of very good quality and allow us to feel comfortable bidding without having to preview them in person. We have never been disappointed with any item we have purchased from Shackleton’s Auction.”
“I’ve always thought your presentation of items, as far beyond the rest, I’ve also made a point of letting the ladies know that when I’m there for pickup. The staff are always so kind and very helpful, as well as always taking the time to engage and get to know their customers. The building, the setup from start to finish is smooth with a great flow and presentation. It has a very professional feel and looks with the warmth of a Mom and Pop shop because of the wonderful staff!”online auctions.”
“About 6 months ago I was looking for a dining room set and a friend suggested I check out auctions and took me to your place on Embro Road where I found just what I was looking for. The item was listed in the latest auction beginning in a few days and I very excitedly followed the bidding online. I was fortunate enough to win the dining set (plus a few other items) and I have been following the online auctions ever since. I just recently bought a set of nesting tables in your last auction. Your photos and descriptions of items are some of the best of any online auctions. Another service I had to take advantage of was my large items had to be delivered (for a charge which I was happy to pay). Thank you for being part of this exciting new experience of online auctions.”

Wondering what your items are worth?

Contact us for a free, no-obligation auction consultation for contents over $100.

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Auction Services

What We Offer

Shackleton’s provides full-service auction solutions, from first inventory to final sale, so you can feel confident every step of the way.

Our Services Include:

  • Inventory & appraisal of contents
  • Packaging & removal of contents
  • Storing, unpacking & setting up of contents
  • Professional cataloging, photographing & displaying items for sale
  • Marketing, advertising & social media exposure
  • A detailed summary of items sold
  • Competitive commission rates

From fine art to farm machinery, Shackleton’s handles it all. When it comes to asset disposition, trust that your items are in professional hands.

Appraisals & Settling an Estate

 
Why Appraisals Matter

Probate appraisals are an increasingly common legal requirement when settling an estate. A lawyer or legal representative may advise obtaining an appraisal of assets to fulfill this requirement.

What Probate Requires

A probate case requires the decedent’s property to be appraised in order to:

  • Determine the property’s cash value as of the date of death
  • Provide the probate court with the total estate value prior to asset distribution

 

Our Appraisal Services

If it’s a single item or an entire estate, Shackleton’s appraises personal property for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Estate probate
  • Divorce
  • Insurance
  • Bankruptcy

Our in-house Appraisers conduct both Real and Personal Property Appraisal Reports.

Charity Auctions

Shackleton’s proudly donates professional auctioneering services and access to our online auction platform to support local charities. A well-run charity auction can make all the difference in reaching fundraising goals.

Organizations We’ve Proudly Supported:
  • Rotary Club of Stratford
  • The Stratford Chef School
  • Art Gallery of Stratford
  • Stratford Perth Museum
  • Stratford Summer Music
  • The Local Community Food Centre
  • CJCS / Kiwanis Christmas Basket Fund
  • Foundation of Education (Avon Maitland District School Board)
  • Heartwood Place in Kitchener-Waterloo
  • Camp Bimini
  • Several local church groups, service clubs & other worthy causes

How Our Auctions Work

Benefits to Sellers

Maximum Exposure We don’t have sell locally because we’ve shipped items across the globe, from Australia to Russia, and Vancouver to St. John’s. A wider buyer base means stronger competition, and stronger prices for you.

Total Transparency: Watch your items sell in real time, from the comfort of your home. This gives you full accountability and immediate results the moment the sale ends.

Benefits to Buyers

Preview With Confidence: Preview items for a full week before bidding closes — giving you time to research and determine a realistic value.
Personalized Bidding: Create a watch list to track only the items you care about.
Bid From Anywhere: Bid from home, the cottage, or on the go — right from your mobile phone.
Bid Anonymously: Skip the intimidation of a live auction floor and bid privately.
Save Time: Know exactly when your item comes up for sale, freeing you up for other things.
Weather-Proof: No snowstorms or bad weather will ever get in the way of a sale.
Flexible Pickup & Payment: Enjoy generous pickup windows and multiple payment options after every sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Browse current auction listings at shackletons.ca
  • Register as a bidder (free, takes 2 minutes). Shackletons HiBid
  • Preview items in person or request photos/condition reports via email
  • Bid online anytime before the soft-close deadline
  • Win – receive your invoice automatically after the sale closes
  • Pay within 24 hours via credit card, e-transfer, or Shack Bucks 
  • Pick up or arrange shipping within the designated removal window

  1. Visit the HiBid website and click Create Account on desktop (upper left-hand corner) or tap the profile icon. 

  2. Choose to sign up using Google, Apple, Facebook, or an email address. 

  3. If using email, enter your email and click Continue. You will receive a verification code via email. Enter this code in the provided field. 

  4. Set a password following the platform’s requirements, agree to the terms. Click Create Account.

  5. Once verified, you can sign in to your HiBid account using your credentials or linked social account.

Simply complete our online auction form. We’ll provide an assessment, evaluate your items, and guide you through the simple consignment process.Toggle Content

Address: 3715 Perth Road 113, Stratford, ON, N5A 6S3

In-Person Preview Hours:

  • Monday – Friday (excluding weekends): 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • No appointment needed during preview hours

Remote Preview Options:

  • Email: auction@shackletons.ca
  • Phone: 519-271-2646
  • We’ll send additional photos & condition reports upon request

A Soft Close ensures every bidder gets a fair chance to win.

  • Lots begin closing sequentially (one every 30 seconds) starting at 6:00 PM on the closing date
  • If any bid is placed in the final 3 minutes, that lot automatically extends by 3 minutes
  • Extensions continue until bidding stops, preventing last-second “sniping”
  • This means you always have time to respond to a competing bid

Fee Amount

Buyer’s Premium         
15% of price

HST  
13%

Example: A winning bid of $500 = $500 + $75 (premium) + $74.75 (HST) = ~$649.75