Condition reports can be provided on items entered into our Fine Art Sales.

Digital images of items not illustrated in the catalogue can be emailed to prospective purchasers. There is no charge for this service.

Bidding

Bids can be made by the following methods:

• Commission bids - Buyers unable to attend a sale can leave commission bids with the auctioneers. Commission forms are available in the saleroom and once completed should be returned to the office. Alternatively commission bids can be faxed to the auctioneers on 01900 828073. The auctioneers will endeavour to buy the lot as cheaply as possible subject to any other bids or reserve prices.

• In person - Buyers attending the sale must register at reception prior to bidding. A bidding number will be allocated to each person registering.

• By telephone - Prospective purchasers who are unable to attend the sale can use this method of bidding. A member of our saleroom staff will call prior to the relevant lot coming under the hammer. The prospective purchaser can then bid over the telephone being fully aware of how that particular sale is progressing.

Buying Charges

All purchases are subject to a 15% buyers premium (+VAT)

Payment can be made by the following methods:

• Cash
• Cheque
• Debit card
• Credit card

There is a surcharge of 2% for the use of credit cards however no charge is made for the use of debit cards.

If you are wishing to pay by cheque and are not known to the auctioneers, it is advisable to make arrangement before the sale or for references to be supplied. If such arrangements are not made, then buyers paying by cheque must wait until the cheque has cleared before goods can be delivered.

General Sales - We have a general sale of antique and later furniture and effects each week on a Thursday and goods can be delivered to the saleroom any other weekday between the hours of 9am and 5pm. We can also accept items for sale on a Saturday morning from 9am to 12noon.

Unsaleable items - We reserve the right to refuse unsaleable items
Lotting - We reserve the right to lot articles together at our discretion

Interest - We will endeavour to forward sale proceeds within 10 days of a General Sale except in cases where goods are entered into a number of sales, when proceeds will be paid within approximately 10 days of the final sale. No interest will be paid in respect of any monies held by the auctioneers.

House clearances - We have our own removal vehicle and are able to collect complete house contents. Items suitable for a Fine Art Sale are retained pending sale whilst items of a general nature are quickly processed through a weekly sale.

Payment - As well as offering a quick sale, we also provide quick payment. General sale proceeds are available seven days after sale. Fine Art Sale proceeds are available within twenty-one days of sale.

Selling Charges

General Sales
Electrical Goods- By law all electrical items entered for sale have to be tested to comply with current Trading Standards legislation. The fee of this is £2.50 per item. If we need to fit a modern plug to an article, the fee is £1

Disposal - Unreserved items that we are unable to attract a bid for will be disposed of immediately after the sale and a small charge may be levied in certain circumstances.

Insurance - We do not charge for insurance.

Lotting Fee - There is a lotting fee of £1 per lot sold in our General Sales

Transport - We have our own removal vehicle. The charge for this is £30 per hour for two men and the vehicle.

Commission - Our standard rate of commission is 15% (+VAT) on the hammer price of all lots. Variable commission rates can be agreed in respect of higher value articles and large consignments. There is a minimum lot commission of £1 per lot whether an item is sold or unsold.

Illustrations - Items illustrated in our catalogues are charged at cost and are agreed with the vendor prior to sale.

Advertising - Our Fine Art Sales are advertised in the Antiques Trade Gazette. Our general sales are advertised in our local newspapers on a weekly basis. There is no charge for advertising.

All the above charges are subject to V.A.T. at the current rate.