I attended my first auction at ten days old. In the thirty years that have since passed, a lot has changed. The advent of the internet has made buying and selling at auction easier than ever before. Despite this, many people are still hesitant to visit or take part in a classic 'in the room' auction.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend an ingenious 'Novice Night' at Wessex Auction Rooms, hosted by the co-owner Tim Weeks (of Bargain Hunt fame). The turn out was fantastic, which made me realise that so many people still find auctions daunting. In this guide, I aim to explain the ins and outs of buying and selling at auction, as well as dispelling the myths surrounding