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How much does it cost to sell?
You pay a £4.00 lot fee for each item, whether or not it sells. If it sells, you also pay 22% commission, with VAT on the commission only.
| Charge | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Lot fee | £4.00 | Per item, sold or unsold. Not refundable. It covers administrative handling, cataloguing and auction processing. |
| Seller’s commission | 22% | Of the price the item sells for, only when it sells. |
| VAT | 20% | On the commission only (the standard rate). |
Our fees are deducted from the sale total and the balance is paid to you.
How does selling at auction work?
Step 1
Get a free verbal valuation
Ask Mark for a free verbal valuation to find out what it should make.
Step 2
Check it can be sold
Electricals need a BSI-compliant plug, and furniture needs a fire-safety label. The rules are below.
Step 3
It is catalogued and put online
Lots go online on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings before the sale.
Step 4
It sells on a Saturday
Our fees are deducted and the balance is paid to you.
Can I set a reserve?
Yes. You can put a reserve on any item, agreed with guidance from our valuer or auctioneer so that the figure is realistic. A reserve means the item may get fewer bids, and it may stay unsold if the reserve isn’t met.
What can’t I sell?
We may refuse any item, for example if it is damaged, unsafe or inappropriate. A few things have firm rules.
Before you bring anything in
- Electrical goods need a BSI-compliant plug. Items without one are refused.
- We don’t accept mains-connectable gas appliances.
- White goods, such as fridges and cookers, must be clean and presentable.
- Furniture must carry a valid fire-safety label.
We don’t test electrical goods or guarantee that they work. If a faulty electrical item is returned, it must be collected, and the fees still apply.
How do I get my things to you?
Drop-offs and collections are by appointment only. Ring the office on 0113 250 2626, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to book. Larger items going to auction are collected free, with some exceptions depending on the item and where it is. Smaller items can be brought to our saleroom on Tong Road in Armley by appointment.
When are the sales?
Online sales every other Saturday at 12:30. Register on our website to bid. Lots go online on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings before the sale. Viewing at the saleroom is on the Friday before the sale, 10am to 4pm. There is no viewing on sale day.
See the dates on our Upcoming auctions page.
What happens if it doesn’t sell?
Unsold items must be collected by 12 noon on the Friday after the sale. If they aren’t, they may be entered into a later sale, disposed of or donated to charity, and we may charge for storage or handling. If you can’t collect in time, ring the office to make other arrangements.
Selling a whole house’s contents?
If you are selling everything in a house, how our clearance works covers the valuation, the auction and the clearing in one go.
Questions about selling
How and when am I paid?
Our fees are deducted from your sale total and the balance is paid to you. If you have a question about a payment, ring the office on 0113 250 2626.
Can I sell just one item?
Yes. Each lot carries the £4.00 lot fee, whether or not it sells, plus 22% commission (with VAT on the commission only) if it does. If you only have a few things, ask Mark for a free verbal valuation first so you know what to expect.
How much commission do auction houses charge?
It varies from one auction house to the next, so check each house’s published fees before you consign. At Shelbys, sellers pay 22% commission, with VAT on the commission only, when an item sells, plus a £4 lot fee per item whether or not it sells. The buyer’s premium is paid by the buyer on top of the hammer price, so it does not come out of what you receive.
The small print
Items left with us are at the owner’s risk. Please read our seller terms.