Each sale commences at 11am, we look forward to seeing you there

Methods of Bidding

Hopefully you’ve found something you just can’t live without in our latest auction and are now wondering how you go about making it your own. Here is a quick run down of how bidding works and the methods we accept.

Live bidding: You’re more than welcome to visit us at the auction house on the sale day, we take your contact details to register you on our system then issue an individual bidder number for this particular sale and you’re free to bid as you please.

Commission (absentee bidding): This can either be done directly or through one of the internet platforms we are using, there is an additional fee for using the internet sites for this purpose. All we require are your contact details in full, the lot number you would like to bid on and the maximum you would like to bid then we will act on your behalf and bid in the room for you. Rest assured we do not jump to the highest amount given but will bid against the other mediums until you are either the highest bidder, or it goes above the amount given.

Telephone bids: If you’d like to feel the excitement of bidding live but cant make it to the auction house on the sale day we are happy to arrange a telephone bid on your behalf. These are best set up as early as possible to avoid confusion/any problems. We would then call you a few lots prior to the lot you are interested in and relay the bid required as the sale goes live. It does add a sense of excitement to the sale and a lot of customers prefer this option as they are totally in control. There are no additional fees for this service.

Live bidding online: This requires registration with the appropriate platform, they ask for basic details including a credit/debit card check to add you to there system (no monies are taken), then you log in with your details and bid live on the saleday. There is an additional surcharge related to this service.

It is important that you read the following information and condition of sale before buying. If you are unsure or need any assistance please ask and we will be happy to advise.

Buyer’s Premium

A buyer’s premium of 20% of the hammer price is payable on each lot purchased. VAT at the appropriate rate is charged on the premium.

IMPORTANT: If you are bidding online, either live or leaving commission bids through thesaleroom.com, Invaluable.com or other online portals there will be an extra surcharge for using their services. The saleroom and invaluable charges are  5% plus VAT and 5% respectively; therefore a total of 20% commission + surcharge + VAT will be charged in these instances. Other portals have various charges depending upon the site used.

VAT

Unless indicated, no VAT will be payable on the hammer price and the premium will be shown inclusive of VAT. (The VAT inclusive with the premium is not normally recoverable by the buyer.) However, occasionally VAT is charged on the hammer price at the appropriate rate. In these cases the lots will be indicated in the catalogue and announced by the auctioneer.

Artist Resale Rights

Items purchased which meet the ARR criteria below will be subject to an additional fee based on the hammer price achieved. The criteria are as follows:

Has the piece sold for more than €1000 (or equivalent at the daily exchange rate)?

Is the artist still alive or have they passed away in the last 75years?

Was the artist a UK national, or a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA)?

These items will have an indication, normally a “*” at the end of the description to note it is possible they are subject to the ARR fee, but if you are in any doubt please contact us and we will confirm the details for you.

Bidding

Buyers must register before the sale at the office for a bidding number. The highest bidder is the buyer. In the event of a dispute, the auctioneer will determine the buyer, or at his discretion re-offer the lot. All lots become the responsibility of the buyer at the fall of the hammer. All lots should be paid for within  fourteen days of the sale.

Methods of Payment

Paying by cash. Cash payments can be made at the office, either during or after a sale. Paying by Debit or Credit Cards or via BACS. Payments can be made by Switch, MasterCard and Visa Cards. (There is no surcharge, however some cards are not accepted, please check with the office staff if you have any questions). BACS or electronic payments are also widely accepted, our bank details are present at the bottom of the invoice issued. Please use your buyer reference or name as the reference number on the payment. Paying by Cheque. All cheques should be payable to “Wilkinsons Auctioneers Ltd” for the total amount due. Cheques must be cleared before goods are released unless prior arrangements have been made with the auctioneer. We request that payments are made within a timely manner, unless otherwise agreed with the auctioneer. We apply a 14 day period from the saleday, within which all invoices should be settled in full.

Electrical Goods

It is essential that lots which were originally operated by mains electricity be checked by a qualified electrician before use. They may not comply with the current statutory requirements and as such are offered solely for display of historical purpose.