I've also been the object of dealers upping the price. I bought a brass headboard and footboard, and they were bidding me up and I got carried away and paid more than I should have. It's easy, when you're bidding, to lose track of everything but the object of your desire. You're proving that you can have an impact on the worth of this item. If you haven't been to an auction, you may want to attend one or two to get the flavor and rhythm before you actually bid.
All auctions are different.
Once you're ready to bid, you'll have to register before the auction begins. You'll be issued a paddle with a number on it. Raise your paddle if you feel like bidding. It's very quick. Something you've been sweating over is up and down in the blink of an eye.