Buying by auction is a simple process. Just raise your hand (or click a button online) to place your bid. There are a few things to sort out first, but that is basically all there is to it.
Viewing
We strongly recommend viewing items that you may wish to purchase. Whilst we endeavor to accurately describe and photograph items, nearly everything we sell is historic and has age related wear, as well as in some cases restoration (to varying degrees of quality). As we only act as an agent for the Vendor we take no responsibility for errors or deficiencies in descriptions / photographs of lots. It is for you to satisfy yourself as to if the item you intend to purchase is what you think it is.
All sales feature pre-sale viewing day where you are free to visit and inspect the lots. We are also happy to arrange a private viewing in the week before the sale if you are unable to attend. Extra photos and information can be provided on request – we’ll always do our best to get you any information you require in a timely manner.
If you cannot get to the sale, and you contact us 24hrs before the start of the sale we can supply further photos and answer as many questions as possible. We’ll always do our best to help but the closer to the start of the sale, the busier we will be so it is important to ask any questions with plenty of time to spare.
Bidding
To bid you’ll need to register with us. For in person auctions you’ll need a valid photo ID to confirm your identity and to fill out a brief form, in return for which we will issue a bidding number valid for that specific sale.
For online bidders, you’ll need to register via Easy Live Auction. A link to the catalogue be will live on our website two weeks proceeding all sales. Easy Live Auction allow you to either pay a flat £3 registration fee or you can register for free but they will charge an extra % commission on all lots bought via the platform. If you intend to bid the £3 fee is the best value for money.
Once the sale is live the auctioneer will call the bidding, basically this is to ask if anyone is willing to pay the price he asks. An interested bidder would raise their hand to indicate they are willing to pay the asking price and their bid is duly accepted. Generally, several people may wish to buy the same lot and take it in turn to bid, with the amount rising each time. Once everyone has finished bidding the auctioneer will sell the lot to the highest bidder so long as the reserve is met (The Reserve is a minimum price the Vendor has indicated they will accept for an item).
For online bidders in particular we recommend bidding fast. There is often a delay to sound and video transmissions as well as lag on updates to our screens and yours. The auctioneer needs to keep the sale moving along and bids can be missed if you take too long to click the button.
Commission / Absentee Bids
We are pleased to accept commission bids from those whom have viewed the sale by are unable to attend the live auction. A form is available from the sales desk for those wishing to leave a commission bid. Simply fill out the form and indicate your maximum bid. The auctioneer will then bid on your behalf against any other bidders until either you are successful, or you are outbid.
For online bidders, Easy Live Auction provides a similar service where a maximum bid can be entered, and they will bid on your behalf in the Live Sale.
Payment
Once you’ve won your lot(s) it is time to pay. If you are in the saleroom on the day and wish to take your purchase(s) you will need to pay and receive a receipt in order to allow collection.
Payment on the day can be made by Debit Card or BACS Transfer. Cash is accepted to a limit of £2,000
If you have bid online, you can pop over to the sale on saleday and pay then (just take a note of your paddle number).
If you don’t wish to collect on the day of the sale we will send you an Invoice on the first working day after the event. Payment needs to be made within three working days and is acceptable by BACs transfer only.
An uplift fee of £5+VAT per lot will be charged for items not paid for and collected on saleday. Uplifted lots are moved to our storage facility (CB24 5QE) from where collection or delivery can be arranged after the sale.
Postage & Storage
As mentioned, we charge a £5 + VAT uplift fee for items not collect on saleday. This includes two weeks free storage at our storage facility.
We are happy to ship certain items (that are not too large or too valuable). Please see our Shipping policy below.
