Information for Sellers

1. All goods will be sold without reserve, unless the auctioneers have written instructions to the contrary.
    
2. Cartage. Vendors are responsible for the transport of sale items to the Auction Rooms at the time requested.  We can advise clients on local carriers who will bring goods to the Rooms.  Carriers also attend on the morning following each sale and we can instruct them to remove goods on behalf of clients at their expense.  The auctioneers reserve the right to instruct carriers to remove any unsold goods from their premises immediately after a sale and to arrange for the storage, all expenses to be borne by the vendors.
    
3. The auctioneers act as agents only for the vendor and, whilst they do not accept responsibility on behalf of themselves or the vendors for any misdescription or misstatements printed in the catalogue or given verbally to a prospective purchaser, they do undertake to rescind the sale of any item which considered in the light of the catalogue entry, is a deliberate forgery if the said item is returned to the auctioneers in the same condition as at the time of sale.  The vendor agrees to be bound by the auctioneers’ decision.
    
4. At no time does an item entered for auction become the property of the auctioneers.
    
5. Default. The auctioneers disclaim responsibility for default either by the buyer or the vendor as they act as agents only.  Instructions given by telephone are accepted at the sender’s risk and must be confirmed in writing forthwith.
    
6. Third Party Liability.  Every person on the auctioneers’ premises will be deemed to be there at his own risk.  There shall be no claim against the auctioneers in respect of any accident which may occur, or injury, damage or loss however caused, save insofar as the injury damage or loss shall be caused by the negligence of employees.
    
7. Instructions. We are auctioneers and all goods delivered to our premises will be deemed to be delivered for sale by auction unless otherwise stated in writing and will be catalogued and sold at our discretion and accepted by us subject to all sale conditions.  By delivering the goods to us for inclusion in our auction sale, each vendor acknowledges that he or she has accepted and agreed to be bound by all of our sale conditions.
    
8. Loss or Damage. The auctioneers disclaim all responsibility for loss or damage to goods or for unauthorised removal of goods unless caused by the negligence of their employees.
    
9. Storage.  The auctioneers reserve the right to arrange for the storage of goods delivered to them for sale either on their own premises or elsewhere at their sole discretion.  They reserve the right to levy charges for storage and to levy any other charges which might accrue under the operation of these conditions.
    
10. Insurance. Unless otherwise instructed in writing, all goods on the auctioneers’ premises and in their custody will be held insured against fire, theft and accidental damage.  The cover shall be the gross amount realised, or in the case of unsold lots, the best bid, or in any other case the reserve price, or if no reserve has been fixed the estimate of the auctioneers at their absolute discretion.  1.5% is charged.  Minimum charge of £1.50 per lot.
     
11. The auctioneers are empowered to sell after the auction by private treaty at a price not less than the reserve, any items which fail to reach their reserve price at the sales.  Any unsold items which are not collected will be stored at the owner’s expense and re-entered in the next available sale without reserve unless prior arrangements have been made.
     
12. Value Added Tax. A vendor who sends for sale by auction any chattel(s) which is an asset of his business must disclose to the auctioneer in writing whether or not he is a registered person for value added tax purposes, if so, his registered number and whether or not he intends to operate the special scheme covering works of art etc.  This information must be supplied to the auctioneers prior to delivery of goods.  Vendors or their agents must sign this entry form which covers these matters.
     
13. The auctioneers reserve the right to dispose of unsold lots, which do not receive a bid in the sale room at the vendor’s expense if the owner fails to collect such unsold goods.
     
14. Where items are delivered to the auctioneers for sale, the items not previously having been inspected by one of their employees, the auctioneers reserve the right to refuse entry on the grounds that the item is not suitable for inclusion in their sales, and to require their immediate  removal at the owner’s expense.
     
15. Minimum Charge.  There is a minimum charge of £20 per lot for any lot sold for £50 or over.  Lots sold below £50 do not incur a charge.
     
16. A fee is charged for Withdrawn Lots.  20% may be charged on the reserve price or the reserve agreed is altered.  Minimum charge of £120 + 1.5% insurance and VAT.
     
17. Our Commission rates are:
    15% on each lot sold which is antique
    20% on wardrobes, curtains and beds, sofas, settees, pianos and modern or reproduction items.
    Reproduction upholstery, dining room and bedroom furniture.
     
18. The Auctioneers reserve the right to postpone a sale in the event of ad weather or for any other reason at their discretion.
     
19. Handling Charge. There is a £5.00 handling charge on all lots.
     
20. All charges are subject to VAT at the current rate.

All sales are subject to our conditions of sale.

Settlement is normally made 7 days after the sale, subject to payment received.