A quick walkthrough of how Alt Auctions actually run — two-week cycles, max bids, Extended Bidding, and the 20% buyer's premium that closes every sale.
If you're looking for a sports card auction site built specifically for graded cards, Alt Auctions are the cleanest way to bid, win, and take ownership — all without a card ever leaving our insured vault.
The Auction Cycle
A new Alt auction opens every Friday morning and runs for 14 days. The catalog closes on the following Thursday evening, when Extended Bidding kicks in at 9:00 PM ET.
Placing a Max Bid
Alt uses a maximum bid model — you enter the most you'd ever pay for a card, and we bid on your behalf in fixed increments until you win or hit your ceiling. Your max is private.
Extended Bidding, Explained
At 9:00 PM ET on close night, every card enters Extended Bidding simultaneously. If any card gets a bid, the entire auction extends. Extension windows tighten as the night goes on: 2 minutes → 1 minute → 30 seconds → 15 seconds.
The Buyer's Premium
Every Alt auction sale includes a 20% buyer's premium on top of the hammer price. If you win at $1,000, your final cost is $1,200.
After You Win
Since every card is already in the Alt Vault, winning transfers ownership instantly — the card appears in your Collection as soon as payment settles. Ready to browse? Head to Alt Auctions.
