Buying at auction has never been easier or more accessible, with every sale broadcast to a global audience. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, our team is on hand to help guide you through the process.
Below is a simple step-by-step overview of the different ways you can bid at auction and the services available.
Chiswick Live combines market-leading technology with the excitement of a live auction, allowing you to bid from anywhere in the world.
To bid via Chiswick Live, create an account or log in before the auction, then select “Place Bid” on your chosen lot. You can place bids in advance of the sale or bid live in real time as the auction takes place.
There is no additional surcharge for lots purchased via Chiswick Live beyond the Buyer’s Premium and VAT.
We welcome clients to attend our London auction saleroom and bid in person.
To register, please complete a registration form at reception on the day of the sale. Photo identification such as a passport or driving licence is required.
If you are unable to attend in person, you may bid by telephone.
Please email the auction details and lot numbers you are interested in to
bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk at least 12 hours before the auction begins.
A member of our Client Services team will contact you approximately five lots before your chosen lot is offered and will relay bidding activity in the saleroom, placing bids on your behalf as instructed.
To qualify for telephone bidding, lots in specialist themed sales must carry a lower estimate of at least £200.
If you cannot bid in real time, you may leave an absentee bid. This allows us to bid on your behalf at the lowest possible price up to your specified limit.
Please email the auction details and lot numbers to
bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk at least 12 hours before the auction.
In addition to live auctions, we also host Timed Online Auctions. These are conducted entirely online without an auctioneer and run over a set period of time.
Please note that telephone bidding is not available for timed online auctions.
You can read our full guide to Timed Online Auctions for more information.
We also partner with third-party online bidding platforms including The Saleroom and Invaluable. These platforms allow you to bid at our auctions via their websites.
Please be aware that additional fees may apply when bidding through third-party platforms. Further details on associated charges can be found on each platform.
A Buyer’s Premium of 26% on the hammer price plus VAT on that commission is charged on the first £500,000, and 12% plus VAT on the balance thereafter.
As of September 2025, Buyer’s Premium of 24% plus VAT is charged on Wine & Spirits Lots.
* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
The standard rate of VAT is charged on the premium.
Information for prospective buyers who live in the EU and who plan to export their purchased lot(s) out of the UK:
Information for prospective buyers who live in the EU and who plan to export their purchased lot(s) out of the UK:
We do not charge any additional surcharge for Lot(s) purchased on Chiswick Live. Chiswick Live continues to be the most affordable online bidding platform.
Customers bidding through the third-party auction platform the-saleroom.com are liable for a 4.95% surcharge on the hammer price, plus VAT. This is in addition to the Buyer’s Premium.
Customers bidding through the third-party auction platforms Invaluable.com or Liveauctioneers.com, Artsy.net are liable for a 5% surcharge on the hammer price, plus VAT. This is in addition to the Buyer’s Premium.
Collection
To book a collection or to provide authorisation for your chosen courier/representative to collect your goods, please email collections@chiswickauctions.co.uk, quoting your invoice number. Our Collections Team will provide you with a designated collection slot and location. Please note, collections should be booked in 24hrs in advance to ensure your goods can be gathered at the correct location.
We kindly ask clients to pay online prior to arrival. Please be aware if the goods are not paid for before your collection appointment, they will not be released and you will be required to rebook your collection slot after payment has been received.
Shipping
For Shipping quotes & enquiries, please contact our in-house shipping department at shipping@chiswickauctions.co.uk
Please bear in mind that during and immediately after each sale, due to high demand, it may take a little longer for us to get back to you.
We also work in partnership with the following companies for domestic and international shipping and domestic clearances. For bigger items, please obtain a quote from the list below:
ThePackengers
Email: hellolondon@thepackengers.com
https://www.thepackengers.com/
Tel: +44 (0) 203 154 4363
Mail Boxes Etc. Chiswick
Email: info@mbechiswick.co.uk
https://www.mbe.co.uk/londonchiswick
Tel: +44 (0) 208 996 0796
Pack & Send
Email: richmondpark@packsend.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 208 392 6990
Alban shipping
Email: andrew@albanshipping.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 493 099
Once of have chosen a shipper, please email collections@chiswickauctions.co.uk to give authorisation for them to collect on your behalf.
Our recommended house clearance company:
Manor Clearance | www.manorclearance.co.uk | T: 0208 877 3993
Storage Fees
CA Ltd offers a discretionary 14 days free storage on purchased and unsold Lots from the date of the sale. Thereafter Lots not collected shall incur storage charges of:
£5.00 per lot, per day or part thereof for smalls and pictures (defined as anything that can be handled by one person)
£10.00 per lot, per day for furniture and other larger lots.
CA Ltd shall be entitled to retain said Lots until all sums due have been paid to CA Ltd. If any lot remains uncollected 21 days after the sale, storage charges shall thereafter be £10/£20 (smalls/larger items) per day and CA Ltd shall, in accordance with the Law, have the right to sell the purchased Lot to recover payment of storage charges outstanding. Any balance proceeds of sale received after payment of all sums outstanding and due to CA Ltd shall be held for the account of the Buyer.
Droit de Suite is a royalty payable to a qualifying artist or their estate every time the artist’s work is sold at auction or by an art market professional during the artist’s lifetime and for a period of up to 70 years following the artist’s death.
Royalties are calculated on a cumulative sliding percentage scale based on the hammer price excluding Buyer’s Premium and are outlined in our Terms & Conditions.
Under no circumstances can the Buyer cancel the sale of an item purchased through Chiswick Auctions Ltd.
All returns are subject to the following terms and conditions:
Descriptions: Any representation in any catalogue or otherwise as to the origin, date, age, attribution, genuineness or estimated selling price of any lot is a statement of opinion only. Such statements do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Chiswick Auctions in relation to the lot. Any prospective buyer should satisfy themselves prior to the sale as to the reliability of the catalogue description.
Condition: Buyers are responsible for satisfying themselves concerning the condition of the property. All lots are sold as seen.
Electrical Items: All electrical items are sold as seen and Chiswick Auctions Ltd offers no guarantee as to the working condition of such items.
Refunds: We will only make a refund using the same method of payment originally used by you to pay for your purchase, or by bank transfer. Your refund will be processed as soon as possible and in any event within no more than 28 days of the day you have given us notice of cancellation.
Purchased lots which remain uncollected, or for which collection has not been arranged, may incur storage charges as set out in our standard Terms and Conditions. Chiswick Auctions Ltd shall be entitled to retain purchased lots sold until all sums due have been paid.
Please be advised that clients are entirely responsible for arranging their own third-party shipping. Processing – including quoting, packing, payment and collection – will be the remit of the instructed shipping company and not that of Chiswick Auctions Ltd.
