PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the dealing capacity while facilitating the expansion of a tender device. SOLUTION: This hierarchical auction system comprises a superordinate auction control device 10 for controlling the auction of an exhibited commodity; two or more subordinate auction control devices 20 connected to the superordinate auction control device 10 by direct connection method; and tender devices 30 consisting of USB input devices expansibly connected to the subordinate auction control device 20. The presence of a tender by the tender devices 30 is monitored in the subordinate auction control device 20, and when the tender is detected, the tender device identifier of the tender device 30 related to this tender is stored in a memory, and the tender information including the own device identifier is transmitted to the superordinate auction control device 10. When successful bit information to itself is received from the superordinate auction control device 10 in the subordinate auction control device 20, the successful bit is reported to the tender device 30 specified by the tender device identifier. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO