At which stage of the auction process does the auctioneer typically begin the auction?

The auctioneer typically begins the auction when they announce the opening bid. This moment marks the official start of the bidding process, as it signals to participants that they can now start making their bids on the items being auctioned. The announcement of the opening bid serves as a clear communication to all attendees that the auction is in progress and that they can engage in the bidding.

The stages leading up to this point, such as appraisals or displaying items, are important for setting the stage and informing bidders but do not mark the commencement of the auction itself. Likewise, while having bidders signed in is a crucial logistical step for record-keeping and ensuring proper participation, it does not initiate the bidding action. The act of announcing the opening bid is the definitive starting point in the auction timeline, establishing the context for all subsequent bids and interactions.