How to Buy High Point Market Samples at Auction

A great auction discovery starts with a piece you can imagine living with: a dining table for long evenings, a fountain for a courtyard, or a sculptural object that gives an entrance its identity. High Point furniture sample auctions offer an unusually broad field of possibilities. A little preparation helps you turn that excitement into a considered bid.

This guide focuses on the World of Decor sample auction at IMS in Jamestown, North Carolina. The October 24–25, 2026 event page has the schedule, venue and original catalog link.

Can the public buy High Point furniture market samples?

Yes—the IMS sample auction is promoted as a public buying opportunity. High Point Market itself is a trade event with its own registration requirements. Registering for the auction and attending Market are separate processes. Homeowners can browse the auction alongside designers, retailers and other eligible bidders.

Begin with the current event catalog, rather than a search result for an older auction. Historical catalogs are excellent for understanding the range of past offerings, but the current lot record determines what is available now.

What does “showroom sample” mean for your purchase?

A showroom sample has been used to present a design or collection. The event can also include other inventory and decorative goods. The term alone does not promise unused condition, a particular manufacturer, or a complete room set.

Read the lot title and description together. Check quantities, dimensions, finish, materials and any condition or special-order notes. A room photograph may include furniture, lighting and accessories that belong to separate lots. Ask which pieces are included before valuing the group as a set.

How to evaluate premium furniture, bronze and marble

For furniture, look at proportions, construction details, upholstery, surfaces and the intended use. A striking piece still has to fit your room, doorway and daily life. For dining and bedroom furniture, confirm whether the listing is for a single piece or a specified set.

For sculpture, distinguish a bronze casting from a bronze-colored finish. For stone, distinguish the described material from a marble-look surface. A photograph alone cannot settle these questions. The historical bronze dolphin listing, for example, gives a casting method and height that make the description more informative than appearance alone.

For fountains, mantels and large garden objects, confirm dimensions, component count, weight when available, and handling requirements. Ask about pumps, electrical components, assembly and any items needed for installation. Commercial buyers should also confirm that the piece suits their particular project.

See it in person when you can

IMS is located at 4250 Furniture Avenue, Jamestown, NC 27282, in the High Point furniture market area. It is a useful destination for buyers in the Piedmont Triad, including Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Confirm preview hours with the event team before traveling.

If you are buying remotely, request the detail photographs or measurements that would change your decision. A close-up of a finish, an underside view or the depth of a cabinet can be more useful than another wide room photograph.

Make a complete bidding budget

Work backward from the total you are comfortable spending. Include the hammer bid, buyer’s premium, applicable tax, packing, transport and any installation expense. The October event’s published notice lists a 15% buyer’s premium and an additional 5% packing fee for shipped orders, plus shipping charges. Confirm the current terms and how each charge applies before bidding.

A 15% premium on a $1,000 winning bid adds $150 before tax and other charges. That example explains the arithmetic; it is not a historical result or an estimate for any item. Our auction total-cost calculator can help you plan using the event’s actual inputs.

Register, prebid and follow the live auction

Use the original World of Decor HiBid catalog to register and follow its bidding instructions. Online registration with one auction company or joining an email list does not automatically register you for this event.

This is a live webcast auction. A leading prebid does not itself establish a purchase. The published event terms explain that lots must be brought through the live sale; items that do not reach that stage are treated as passed. Follow the live process and rely on the final status and invoice.

Plan the trip home before you bid

Confirm the release location, collection deadline, loading arrangements and vehicle capacity. Nationwide shipping is advertised, but a large fountain or bronze sculpture may need specialized packing or freight handling. Get the relevant details for your destination before making a commitment.

For this event, follow World of Decor’s pickup and shipping instructions at IMS. Do not assume that Bidding Is Open’s Ocoee pickup arrangements apply. With those details settled, you can focus on the enjoyable part: deciding which remarkable piece belongs in your next project.