What counts as a lot?

A lot is a single auction item, regardless of how many photos it has. One lot with 10 photos counts the same as one lot with 1 photo.

How does Pay as You Go work?

No monthly fee. Add a payment method and pay $0.15 per lot only when you run descriptions. Perfect for seasonal auctioneers or occasional sales.

What happens if I go over my lot limit?

On subscription plans, additional lots are billed at $0.12 per lot — automatically metered and added to your monthly invoice. No surprises.

Can I change plans at any time?

Yes. Upgrade instantly and we'll prorate the difference. Downgrade at the end of your billing cycle. Switch between Pay as You Go and subscriptions anytime.

How are your descriptions better?

Most tools analyze a single photo. Gavelist examines every photo in the lot — front, back, backstamps, labels, maker marks, detail shots. More photos means more accurate descriptions, correct brand attribution, and fewer misidentifications.

What's a voice profile?

Gavelist learns your description style from examples you provide. The AI then writes new descriptions that sound like you — your vocabulary, your structure, your voice. Available on every plan.

How does Gavelist compare to other cataloging tools?

Most tools charge more for less — single-photo analysis, limited export options, and email-only support. Gavelist gives you proprietary sorting assistance, truly automatic CSV and filename generation, and unbeatable description quality from painstakingly trained AI. Plus, you always have direct access to Ben, the founder.

What is AI auction cataloging?

AI auction cataloging uses artificial intelligence to generate lot descriptions from photos of auction items. Instead of manually typing descriptions for each lot — which takes 4-7 minutes per item — AI cataloging tools like Gavelist analyze photos and produce titles, descriptions, condition assessments, and category assignments in seconds, reducing cataloging time by 80-90%.

Does Gavelist work with HiBid?

Yes. Gavelist exports catalogs in HiBid-compatible CSV format. Process your photos in Gavelist, then export and import directly into your HiBid account. The export includes titles, descriptions, categories, and lot sequencing formatted for HiBid's import requirements.

How do I speed up auction cataloging?

The fastest way to catalog any auction is to use AI-powered cataloging software. Take photos of all items, upload them in bulk to Gavelist, and let AI generate descriptions. This reduces days of manual cataloging to hours. Gavelist processes hundreds of lots per session and exports directly to your auction platform.

What types of items can Gavelist identify?

Gavelist has specialized AI prompts for 18 categories: furniture, jewelry, fine art, ceramics, glassware, tools, collectibles, vintage electronics, toys, textiles, kitchenware, sporting goods, musical instruments, books, coins, stamps, vehicles, and general items. Each category uses domain-specific identification trained on thousands of real auction lots.

What auction platforms does Gavelist export to?

Gavelist exports to all major auction platforms including HiBid, AuctionFlex, LiveAuctioneers, Proxibid, and any platform that accepts CSV or XLS spreadsheet imports. Export formats include lot titles, descriptions, categories, condition notes, and photo references.

Is Gavelist only for estate auctions?

No. Gavelist works for any auction that needs lot descriptions — estate auctions, consignment auctions, business liquidations, charity auctions, government surplus, and more. Any auction with high lot volume benefits most because AI cataloging scales linearly while manual labor does not. Estate auctioneers are our primary users, but the tool works for all auction types.

HomeFree Tool

Auction Cataloging Cost Calculator

Estate auction cataloging takes 4-7 minutes per lot manually. At $15-25/hr labor, a 500-lot auction costs $500-$1,458 to catalog. AI cataloging with Gavelist costs $0.15 per lot — that same 500-lot auction costs just $75. See your numbers below.

Last updated: April 2026

Your Auction Details

Number of Lots

50300 lots1,500

Hourly Labor Rate

$10/hr$20/hr$40/hr

Minutes Per Lot (Manual)

2 min5 min/lot10 min

Manual Cataloging

$500

25.0 hours of labor at $20/hr

Gavelist AI Cataloging

$45.00

300 lots × $0.15/lot

You Save

$455

91% cost reduction25.0 hours back

Quick Reference: Common Auction Sizes

Auction Size	Manual Cost*	Manual Time	Gavelist Cost	Savings
100 lots	$166.667	8.3 hrs	$15.00	91%
250 lots	$416.667	20.8 hrs	$37.50	91%
500 lots	$833.333	41.7 hrs	$75.00	91%
750 lots	$1,250	62.5 hrs	$112.50	91%
1000 lots	$1,666.667	83.3 hrs	$150.00	91%

* Manual cost based on $20/hr labor, 5 minutes per lot. Actual costs vary by item complexity.

Start saving on your next auction

Pay as you go at $0.15/lot — no monthly commitment. Or call Ben at (412) 580-7398 for a walkthrough.

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