In short
We give a free verbal valuation, agree any reserve with you, and put your things in one of our fortnightly Saturday sales. It costs £4.00 per lot whether or not it sells, plus 22% commission with VAT on the commission only if it does. Our fees are deducted and the balance is paid to you.
This is the whole route for one item or a van-load, in the order it happens. The full terms are on our terms and conditions page, and a shorter summary is on selling at auction.
Step 1: get a free verbal valuation
Ring Mark on 07764 405701 or the office on 0113 250 2626. Verbal valuations are free. Mark has over 45 years’ experience in the antiques trade, and will tell you what an item should make at auction. Larger items going to auction are collected free (some exceptions, depending on the item and where it is). Smaller items can be brought to the saleroom by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. More on valuations.
Step 2: check it can be sold
We can refuse any item, and some things have rules attached. These come from our seller terms:
- Electrical goods need a BSI-compliant plug. We don’t test them.
- We don’t accept mains-connectable gas appliances.
- White goods must be clean and presentable.
- Furniture must carry a valid fire-safety label.
If you’re not sure about an item, mention it when you ring.
Step 3: decide whether to set a reserve
A reserve is a minimum price. If bidding doesn’t reach it, the item doesn’t sell. Reserves are agreed with our valuer, so that the figure is realistic. The trade-off, in our terms’ words, is that items with reserves may receive fewer bids and risk remaining unsold if the reserve isn’t met. Whether to set one is your choice.
Step 4: cataloguing and the lot fee
Each item becomes a lot in the online catalogue, with an estimate and photographs. Lots go online on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings before the sale. For each lot we charge a lot fee of £4.00, which is non-refundable and covers administrative handling, cataloguing and auction processing.
Step 5: viewing day and sale day
Buyers can view at the saleroom on the Friday before the sale, 10am to 4pm. There is no viewing on sale day. The sale starts at 12:30 on the Saturday, with bidding online. We hold sales every other Saturday; the dates are on upcoming auctions.
What does selling at auction cost?
| Charge | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Lot fee | £4.00 | Per item, sold or unsold |
| Seller’s commission | 22% | Plus VAT on the commission only, and only when the item sells |
| Buyer’s premium | 22% | Paid by the buyer on top of the hammer price (plus VAT on the premium). Not taken from you |
Your proceeds are the hammer price, less the lot fee and the commission (with VAT on the commission). If a lot doesn’t sell, you pay the lot fee only.
How do I get paid?
Our fees are deducted and the balance is paid to you after the sale. If you have a question about a payment, ring the office on 0113 250 2626.
What if my item doesn’t sell?
Unsold items must be collected by 12 noon on the Friday after the sale. If you can’t, ring the office to make other arrangements. Items left uncollected may be put into a future auction, disposed of or donated to charity, with additional storage or handling charges possible. See our terms.
Should I sell at auction, to a dealer, or online myself?
They work differently, and which suits you depends on the item and how much effort you want to put in.
- Auction. Competing bidders set the price on the day. There is no guaranteed result, and a reserve can mean no sale. We handle the cataloguing and run the sale.
- A dealer. You get one offer, usually quickly. The dealer has to resell at a profit, so the offer will reflect that.
- Selling online yourself. You choose the price, but you also take the photographs, write the descriptions, answer questions, pack, post and deal with buyers.
Selling the contents of a whole house?
Our house clearance service does this for you: we value the contents, sell what will sell in our auctions, and clear or donate the rest. The cost of the clearance may be covered or reduced by what sells.
Common questions
What is a lot fee?
It is a non-refundable charge of £4.00 per item, charged whether or not the item sells. Our terms say it covers administrative handling, cataloguing and auction processing.
Does the buyer’s premium come out of what I receive?
No. The buyer pays the premium on top of the hammer price. Your proceeds are the hammer price less the lot fee and our commission, with VAT on the commission.
