Close
Using Artfact Live! and Artfact Services
Artfact Live! Help/FAQ
- Viewing an Artfact Live! Auction
- Registering for an Artfact Live! Auction
- Participating in an Artfact Live! Auction
- System Requirements for Using the Artfact Live Console
Artfact Services Help/FAQ
- Free Artfact Services
- Artfact Subscriptions
- Searching the Artfact Database
- Navigating Through Search Results
- Printing Search Results
- Contacting Artfact and Auction Houses
- System Requirements
Artfact Live! Help/FAQ
1. Viewing an Artfact Live! Auction:- Go to http://www.artfact.com.
- In the red navigation bar across the top of the page, click on AUCTIONS.
- Now you're looking at a list of live auctions. Scroll down to find the auction you want to watch, then click the gold "WATCH NOW" button. It is located on the right.
- Now the bidder console opens and you can see the auction in progress.
Please note:
- If nothing happens, or you receive an error message, you may need to update your Java. Go to www.java.com to update your Java.
- Some businesses and educational institutions block Java applets or the ports required for the bidder console. If you do not receive an error message but cannot see the bidder console, please contact your network service provider.
- Go to http://www.artfact.com.
- In the navigation bar across the top of the page, click on AUCTIONS.
- Now you're looking at a list of live auctions. Scroll down to find the auction you want to watch, then click the "Get Approved to Bid" link. It’s right next to the Auction Details button.
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You are now on the Sign-In/Register page:
- If you’re already a registered Artfact member but you haven’t signed in, enter your username and password to go to the ‘Request Approval to Bid’ page. Provide the information requested by the auction house and be sure to check off the four confirmation boxes at the bottom of the registration page. Then click ‘Submit Request for Approval’. The auction house will review your request to bid and notify you if you have been approved.
- If you’re not a registered member of Artfact, you’ll need to register before you can participate in any Artfact Live! auction. To register, click the ‘Register Now!’ link and follow the instructions.
- For more detailed instructions on how to register and participate in an auction, as well as a peek at the bidder console, take a moment to view Learn How To Bid!, a short overview of how Artfact Live! works that includes a detailed description of the bidder console. To reach the tutorial click AUCTIONS in the main navigation bar. Then click ‘Learn How to Bid!’ in the upper right hand corner of the page. It’s right under the Search Here field.
Please note:
- If nothing happens, or you receive an error message, you may need to update your Java. Go to www.java.com to update your Java.
- Some businesses and educational institutions block the ports required for the bidder console. If you do not receive an error message but cannot see the bidder console, please contact your network service provider.
- Go to http://www.artfact.com.
- In the navigation bar across the top of the page, click on "Login".
- In the dropdown Dashboard, sign in with your username and password.
- Once you have signed in, click the "Continue to Artfact Live!" link at the bottom of the drop-down window.
- Now you're in Artfact Live! My Messages. Click the My Auctions tab (it’s next to the My Messages tab).
- Find the auction that you want to bid in and click the "Bid Live Now!" link on the right.
- Now the bidder console opens and you can see and participate in the auction.
Please note:
- If nothing happens, or you receive an error message, you may need to update your Java. Go to www.java.com to update your Java.
- Some businesses and educational institutions block Java applets or the ports required for the bidder console. If you do not receive an error message but cannot see the bidder console, please contact your network service provider.
For Windows Users
OS: Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3, Windows Vista
RAM: 512MB
Browsers: Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3 or higher
Java: Java JRE 1.6 or better
Internet Connection: DSL/Cable/FIOS, T1 or higher
For Mac Users
OS: OSX 10.5
RAM: 512MB
Browsers: Safari 3.2.1
Processor: PPC or Intel
Java: latest version
Internet Connection: DSL/Cable/FIOS, T1 or higher
The Artfact Live! Console does NOT support:
OS: Windows 2000 or earlier, Mac OSX 10.4 or earlier
Browsers: Netscape, Opera, Chrome
Internet Connection: We do not support dial-up or wireless Internet
If you need technical assistance, please send a message to support@artfact.com or click CHAT LIVE (the green button at the bottom right corner of all Artfact pages).
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Artfact Services Help/FAQ
1. Free Artfact ServicesA) Why do I need to register with Artfact; what will it cost?
Registering with Artfact is FREE and enables you to bid on Artfact Live! auctions. You will not be charged to create your account or access any of the free Artfact services described below. Before registration you can use the website to learn about Artfact, and access certain free services.
After registering with Artfact for free, you will be able to: 1) search or browse catalogs of upcoming auctions and view search results complete with photos and estimated prices; 2) research prominent auction houses including house history, upcoming auctions, and previous auction highlights; 3) search the entire past auctions database but view only partial results (without full descriptive information, photos, or estimated and realized prices ); and 4) research artists by name or style (includes biographies, examples of their artwork in the Artfact database, pricing metrics, related artists, and links to other valuable free online content).
In order to see past auction records complete with photos and actual prices paid, you will need to subscribe to one of the many Artfact paid subscription plans that start as little as $20 per month. Please click on the "Subscribe" button or the individual subscription plan links in the footer of each page to learn more about Artfact subscription plans and benefits.
B) How do I register to create my account with Artfact?
You will need to register with Artfact only once when you establish your account regardless of whether you are registering for free Artfact services, or subscribing to one of the many paid subscription plans available for as little as $20 per month. You can register anytime, and it is simple and quick.
To create your new Artfact user account please click the LOGIN button in the main navigation bar. Click on "Register Now" and fill out the form (all fields are required). Be assured that all information you provide to Artfact is transmitted using safe, private Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.
After your account has been created you may use the "My Artfact" page to manage your user information, or change your account status (subscribe, re-subscribe, extend, or upgrade). Please keep your username and password stored in a safe confidential place since they are necessary to log in and access the Artfact databases or manage your account.
If you ever forget your username or password, click LOGIN in the top navigation bar, then click the Forgot Password button. Your username and password will be emailed to you.
2. Artfact Subscriptions
A) Why should I subscribe to Artfact?
Artfact is the largest and most complete online database of antiques and art market information. The completeness of Artfact makes it the best tool for pricing, identifying, researching, and finding antiques and art. Artfact is the only service licensed by traditional auction houses to aggregate and publish their unabridged catalogs including photographs, expert research, and the actual selling price of each item. And Artfact's search capabilities provide instant and intuitive access to millions of items sold at more than 30,000 auctions worldwide
In order to view past auction records with complete descriptions, available photos, and estimated and actual prices paid, you will need to subscribe to one of the many Artfact paid subscription plans that start as low as $20 per month. Subscriptions are available in three different levels (Basic, Premium, and Professional) with flexible payment and access options. For more information, or to subscribe to Artfact please click the SUBSCRIBE button at the bottom left of every page.
B) How do I subscribe to Artfact?
Subscriptions to Artfact are available anytime anywhere by providing a major credit card to the transaction processing system on the Artfact Secure Socket Layer (SSL) server. Subscribing is fast and easy.
i) If you want to subscribe but have never created a user account by registering or subscribing before, please click the SUBSCRIBE button at the bottom left of every page. You will then go to the Artfact Subscriptions page.
Or, if you previously created a user account by registering with Artfact but don’t have an active subscription, sign in by clicking the LOGIN button in the main navigation bar and entering your Username and Password. Once logged in, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the SUBSCRIBE button.
ii) Choose the subscription type you'd like by clicking the corresponding link. Then choose your subscription level and duration. If you received a promotional offer or are using a coupon, submit the code in the space provided. Next review the Subscription and Terms of Use Agreements by clicking on the corresponding links. Both agreements are legally binding, so please review them carefully. If you accept the terms of both agreements, click the " I Accept " button at the bottom of the page and proceed to the secure Subscription Payment page.
You will not be obligated to pay Artfact, nor will your credit card be billed until after you complete the form with all of your account and credit card information and submit it by clicking the "Process Transaction" button at the bottom of the subscription Payment page. This is a secure process that uses a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) processing system to ensure credit card safety. Fill in all required fields on the Subscription Payment page. Follow the instructions on the form for submitting your account and credit card information. If any required information is not submitted, the page will return with instructions about which information is missing. After completing the form click the Process Transaction button at the bottom of the page, print a copy of the invoice for your records, and start using your subscription.
C) How do I extend, renew, or upgrade my subscription?
i) If your subscription has not expired and you wish to extend it before it expires, or if you have an active subscription that you’d like to upgrade to a higher-level subscription, sign in by clicking the LOGIN button in the main navigation bar and entering your Username and Password. Once logged in, click MY ARTFACT in the dashboard to access your My Artfact page. Click the Upgrade or Renew Subscription link.
ii) Choose the subscription type you'd like by clicking the corresponding link. Then choose your subscription level and duration. If you received a promotional offer or are using a coupon, submit the code in the space provided. Next review the Subscription and Terms of Use Agreements by clicking on the corresponding links. Both agreements are legally binding, so please review them carefully. If you accept the terms of both agreements, click the " I Accept " button at the bottom of the page and proceed to the secure Subscription Payment page.
iii) If you are upgrading from a subscription that has value remaining to a higher-level subscription (from Basic to Premium, or from Premium to Professional) you will have the option of applying that value towards the purchase of the higher level subscription. Any time on the lower value subscription that results from a promotion or coupon may not be applied to a higher value subscription and is always used last (at the end of the original subscription period). For example, if you purchase a 12-month Basic service subscription using a coupon that provides one month for free, then there will be no remaining value to apply towards an upgrade to a Premium level subscription after 11 months. Choose the subscription level you want, read the Artfact Subscription Agreement and Terms of Use Agreement, then click the " I Accept " button at the bottom of the page and proceed to the secure Subscription Payment page.
(iv) You will not be obligated to pay Artfact, nor will your credit card be billed until after you complete the form with all of your account and credit card information and submit it by clicking the "Process Transaction" button at the bottom of the Subscription Payment page. This is a secure process that uses a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) processing system to ensure credit card safety. Fill in all required fields on the Subscription Payment page. Follow the instructions on the form for submitting your account and credit card information. Since you have previously provided a credit card, you may pay using one of the following options: i) use the original card again if it has not expired; ii) edit the original card information if it has a new expiration date; iii) use a different card on file with Artfact; or iv) provide a new valid credit card.
If any required information is not submitted, the page will return with a message indicating where information is missing. After completing the form click the Process Transaction button at the bottom of the page, print a copy of the invoice for your records, and start using your subscription.
D) I would like to subscribe to Artfact, but my organization won"t reimburse me for my credit card subscription payment to Artfact. How do I pay with my organization's check?
Artfact subscriptions generally are not available through any form of payment other than online credit card, but if you represent a non-profit organization that can only subscribe by purchase order and has a written policy prohibiting credit card reimbursement, please call Jamie Poulin at 617-746-9841.
E) How do I change my renewal options?
Artfact offers manual or automatic subscription renewal. Manual renewal requires you to go through the subscription process every time you renew, while automatic renewal automatically renews your account and charges your credit card at the end of each subscription term. To review or change your renewal type, sign in by clicking the LOGIN button in the main navigation bar and entering your Username and Password. Once logged in, click MY ARTFACT in the dashboard to access your My Artfact page. In the Subscription Info table you will find your current renewal setting. Click the "Make auto" or "Make manual" link in the Renewal Method column to change your renewal type.
F) How do I review my transaction history?
To review your transaction history, sign in by clicking the LOGIN button in the main navigation bar and entering your Username and Password. Once logged in, click MY ARTFACT in the dashboard to access your My Artfact page. At the bottom of the page you will see your Subscription History. To see the details of a particular transaction, click the transaction number on the left side of the page.
3. Searching the Artfact Database
A) How do I search the Artfact auction results database?
There are several ways to search the Artfact database. All of the searches available through "Auction Features" and "Fine Art Features" allow users to view PORTIONS of the Artfact database for free (although registration is required in most cases). Please hover over these features for a description of each. They include: i) search fine art works by artist name and art style; ii) search upcoming auctions by catalog or keyword; iii) search auction house by name; iv) and search past auction results by keyword with results showing only auction house, title, and partial description. In order to see complete auction results, it is necessary to subscribe to Artfact using one of the many flexible and affordable plans.
B) How do I perform a keyword search?
To search by keyword, enter your search terms in the Search Here field at the top right of the page.
Keyword search allows you to be specific about which keywords and phrases you would like to be included in and/or excluded from your results. Keyword searches are the most precise way to search the Artfact database since they utilize the most precise relevancy ranking technology available. Searches generally take less than 10 seconds with a high-speed Internet connection. The more results that fit your search criteria, the longer time the page will take to load. Results are limited to 500 items, and are returned with fifty on each page.
General conditions that apply to Artfact keyword searches include: 1) Boolean terms are not necessary (i.e. do not use AND, OR, or NOT ); 2) searches are not case sensitive; 3) do not use quotes or punctuation; and 4) separate words with spaces only.
To access additional search options, use the options in the Helpful Links section at the bottom of every page. There are four functions in keyword searches. At least one word must be entered in one of the function boxes to complete a search. The more functions used, the more precise the search results become. Search functions may be used independently or in combination.
i) All the words in any order:
The most basic search, it will only return records that contain ALL of the words entered in the search box. For example, a search containing Alfred Thompson Bricher will only return records that contain all three words at least once. An auction record that contains Alfred Bricher in one sentence and Thompson two sentences later will also return since any record containing the three words anywhere in the record in any order would meet this search criteria. A record with just the words Alfred Bricher, but not Thompson would not be returned.
ii) Any of the words:
This search function will return records where at least one of the words appears, but not necessarily all. This search feature is most effective when used in conjunction with others. The "All the words in any order" search example above for Alfred Thompson Bricher will return all records with at least one mention of the three words any where in the auction records. Using the "Any of the words" search in addition you could add that the records must contain the words oil and/or watercolor. Only records that contain Alfred, Thompson and Bricher with at least one mention of oil, watercolor, or both oil and watercolor will be returned. In this example, charcoal drawings by Alfred Thompson Bricher without mention of oil and watercolor would be excluded.
iii) The exact phrase:
This search function returns only results that contain the exact phrase entered (i.e. all the same words in the same order). For example, searching for Alfred Bricher using "The exact phrase" function will only return auction records that contain the words Alfred Bricher in exact order, but will not return records that contain Alfred Thompson Bricher.
iv) Exclude the words:
This search function should be used in conjunction with one of the others to exclude records. This function is extremely useful for narrowing large search results or limiting irrelevant matches. For example an "All the words in any order" search for Alfred Bricher will return all auction records with at least one mention of both words anywhere. By using the "Exclude the words" function and the words landscape and watercolor the search results would be narrowed to focus on portrait and still life oil paintings.
Once your keywords have been entered, choose the time period you would like to search by clicking on All, Upcoming, or Past in the "search scope" drop down menu. Click the "Search" button on the bottom right of the screen to complete the search.
If you would like Artfact to remember your most recent search, click on "Remember These Search Criteria" before performing the search.
C) How are search results returned?
After you submit your Speed or Advanced Search, results are returned in the Item Search Results that include basic information about each auction record including lot number, lot title, brief description, auction house, estimate, realized price, and available thumbnail images. The Item Search Results do not include the full detail of the auction record provided to Artfact by auction house. To learn more about full descriptions contained in Lot Details, please see F) below.
If more than 50 results are returned, you may navigate to the next pages using the "Next 50" button on the top or bottom of the screen. Additionally you may navigate to a specific page by using the "Jump To Page" feature at the bottom of the search results page.
In order to maintain a high level of performance, Artfact limits both basic and advanced search results to 500 total lots. For more precise results, searches that return more than 500 matches be refined using the advanced search functions, see C) above.
4. Navigating through Search Results
A) Can I sort my search results?
Yes. Search results may be sorted by lot number, auction date, and price in ascending or descending order.
The default sort for all searches is by date. Data may be re-sorted at the top of the search results page by clicking on the desired sort in the drop down menu at the top of the screen.
B) I have my results, now how do I see more information on a specific lot?
To access the full record view simply click on the thumbnail image in the summary screen or on the gray "Lot Details" button. The lot detail screen displays the entire auction record including any additional photos and expanded text descriptions including condition, provenance, dimensions and more. See more information about printing this information below.
C) How do I return to my search results from the Lot Detail view?
To return to the original search results from the Lot Detail view, click on the "Return to Lot Summary". Additionally, if you would like to navigate from one item detail to the next without returning to the Item Search Results, click on "Next Lot" in the Lot Detail screen. Please do not use the "Back" button on your browser.
D) How do I see a larger image?
Click on the thumbnail (small) image in the lot detail screen to reveal a larger version. You may leave the image open as long as you wish and even open other images to compare against. See more information about printing this information below.
E) I clicked on the thumbnail but no image popped up.
If you have a "pop-up" blocker installed on your computer, it may prevent the image window from opening. Most popular pop-up blockers include a feature that allows you to disable the blocking software for certain websites. Please refer to your pop-up blocker's documentation.
5. Printing Search Results
A) How do I print the Lot Detail page?
Just like any other page in your Internet Explorer browser, you may print Artfact Lot Detail pages as follows:
i) Position your mouse at the beginning of the information you wish to print from the Lot Detail page (e.g. at the top of the page: the auction house or item title), left-click and continue to hold your mouse while highlighting the remainder of the page (highlighted area will appear blue on most screens) that you wish to print (e.g. the bottom of the lot description).
ii) Once you have highlighted the information you wish to print, you may stop holding the left click of your mouse (your selection will remain highlighted).
iii) Right click your mouse and select "Print" on the small menu.
iv) In the Print Range section of the Print Menu, you will see button options corresponding to "All", "Pages: _ to _" and "Selection". Choose "Selection" and then select the OK button at the bottom of the page to print.
B) How do I print Image Detail pages (large photos)?
If you would like to print the Image Detail of an object (the larger photo), you may do so as follows:
i) Position your mouse over the border between the photo edge and the image frame (NOT directly over the photo itself).
ii) Right click and a menu should appear that includes a "Print" option (above "Refresh").
iii) Left click on "Print".
iv) In the Print Range section of the Print Menu, you will see button options corresponding to "All", "Pages: _ to _" and "Selection". Choose "All" and then select the OK button at the bottom of the page to print.
6. Contacting Artfact and Auction Houses
A) How do I contact Artfact?
If you experience any difficulties using Artfact, please contact technical support during normal business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, M-F) by email at support@artfact.com. For general inquiries, please call Jamie Poulin at 617-746-9841.
B) May I contact an auction house about an item in an upcoming auction?
Yes, some auction houses are very interested in receiving your inquiries about items in their Upcoming Auctions. To contact an auction house regarding an item click on the "Request More Information" button on the bottom right hand corner of the Item Detail page. An email window will appear that allows you to submit a question. All emails are sent directly to the auction house.
If you would like to contact the auction house by phone, simply click on the auction house name. A pop-up window will appear with the auction house contact information including any available phone numbers. Please tell the auction house that your are referring to an upcoming auction catalog on Artfact, and make sure to have the date and lot number(s) available when calling to allow the auction house to answer your questions in a timely manner.
NOTE: Some auction house do not allow direct emails from Artfact, in these cases you will need to contact the house via the provided phone number.
C) How do I place a bid for an item in an upcoming auction?
Unless indicated in the Lot Details, you must contact the auction house directly or attend the auction in person to place a bid.
7. System Requirements
A) An important note for AOL Internet Service users:
In order to use the Artfact database you will need to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer Browser Version 7. Most Windows-based PCs ship with Microsoft Internet Explorer installed, however if you do not have a current version you may obtain a free copy at the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=9ae91ebe-3385-447c-8a30-081805b2f90b
Once you have Microsoft Internet Explorer on your personal computer, access Artfact using your AOL account as follows:
1) Sign-In to AOL as you would normally.
2) When your AOL account appears on the screen, minimize the entire AOL window (the outermost) by clicking on the "_" button in the upper-most right corner of your screen.
3) Locate Microsoft Internet Explorer by clicking on the "Start" button (in the lower left corner of your screen); click on the "e" explorer icon, or if not present in the Start menu, go to "Programs" or "All Programs" to find the "e" explorer icon and click on it.
4) After opening Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to Artfact by typing http://www.Artfact.com in the Address bar.
5) When you"re done using Artfact you may continue to browse using Internet Explorer, or close Internet Explorer by clicking on the "X" button in the top right corner of the screen. Resume using AOL by maximizing the AOL window at the bottom of your screen, and right-click the mouse. A small menu will appear with six choices. Move the mouse over the top choice and "Restore" AOL by left-clicking the mouse. Your AOL screen will reappear.
B) Browser Recommendation:
Artfact is optimized to run on Windows-based personal computers using Microsoft's Internet Explorer Version 7. Some recent versions of other browsers such as Netscape may function, but have not been thoroughly tested nor are they recommended or supported by Artfact. The most current version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer is available without charge at:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=9ae91ebe-3385-447c-8a30-081805b2f90b
Please note that Artfact Live! auctions require Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3 (for PC only) or Safari 3.2.1 (for Mac only).
