Buyer’s Introduction

How does an auction work?

Before each sale, we prepare a detailed catalogue in which each lot is illustrated and described. We ask buyers to pay towards the cost of preparing, printing and posting these catalogues. (£10 including postage for one catalogue or £60 for an annual subscription of eight issues) The catalogue will contain all the auction details that you need (i.e. how to bid, venue, date, etc) and a useful index of items for sale.

The catalogue will contain an estimate of each lot for sale. The actual price you pay on the day may vary greatly from this price, sometimes higher, but sometimes lower, depending on how many other buyers are interested in the same lot. The estimate is decided by the auctioneer based on similar items previously sold.

When you have your catalogue, look through it carefully and decide which items you would like to bid for. Attending the sale in person is the most exciting way to bid. Buyers are given a numbered paddle when they register on the day, and they simply raise their paddle to indicate whenever they want to bid higher. There is no need to worry about accidentally bidding as you blow your nose – our experienced auctioneers will spot the genuine bids. The auctioneer will find a way to alert buyers that accidentally bid against themselves by indicating who the current bid is with.

There are other methods of bidding if you cannot attend the auction, including by post, telephone, or live on the Internet. Please see the FAQ section for more details. (Link to FAQ – How can I make a bid at the auction if I can’t attend personally?)

When you have finished bidding, you can pay for your items by cash, cheque, credit or debit card. (Credit cards incur a 3% surcharge) If you have attended the auction in person you can take the items away with you when they have been paid for. If you were not there on the day, items will be securely packaged and sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery (within UK) or Royal Mail International Signed For or FedEx to addresses outside the UK.  There will be a charge for postage relative to the size and weight of the items sent.

Many buyers find the auction atmosphere so thrilling that they come back again and again, and become regular clients.