Buying at Auction

To bid via Chiswick Live create a Chiswick Live account, or login prior to the auction, then select the ‘place bid’ function on your desired lot. Bids can be placed in advance of the sale and in real-time during the auction.

We can currently limited number of clients into our Saleroom for in-person bidding. You will be required to wear a face covering at all times and adhere to social distancing. Please contact the relevant Head of Sale to book an in-person bidding slot. 

Please email bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk regarding the auction and lots you are interested in. The Bids Department will then register your bids or answer any questions you may have. All telephone bid requests should be organised at least 12 hours before the start time of any auction. On the day of the auction, we will telephone you approximately five lots before your lot is announced. Our representative will relay the bidding activity in the room and place bids as you wish.

Please email bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk regarding the auction and lots you are interested in at least 12 hours before the auction. From there, we will bid on your behalf at the lowest possible price up to your set limit.

Buyer's Premium 

A Buyer’s Premium of 25% 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 December 2019, Buyer’s Premium of 21% plus VAT is charged on Wine & Spirits Lots.

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:

• Buyers will be required to pay import VAT on the hammer price of purchased lots. This payment is usually administered by the chosen shipper. The rate varies by country and it is the buyer’s responsibility to research the costs relevant to their circumstances.
• As usual, VAT will be applied to the buyers’ premium. 

From Thursday 13 May 2021, we will charge a 1% Online Bidding Surcharge for Lot(s) purchased on Chiswick Live in addition to Buyer’s Premium and standard VAT charges. 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 are liable for a 5% surcharge on the hammer price, plus VAT. This is in addition to the Buyer’s Premium.

Collection

We continue to offer a Click and Collect service for all purchased lots. The process is quick and easy and can be done personally or via your chosen courier. The service is contactless, adhering to strict social distancing at our Chiswick Saleroom.

To book a click and collect appointment 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 the required paperwork. 

We are asking clients to pay online prior to arrival to minimise contact and ensure the safety of both our clients and staff. 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. 

Please arrive promptly for your appointment during the designated time slot at the Bollo Lane entrance to our Chiswick Saleroom. Our Collections Team will have your lots ready to go, ensuring a quick and safe collection process. 

Shipping

We work in partnership with the following companies for domestic and international shipping and domestic clearances.

To obtain a Shipping quote, please contact:

Just Get Me Shipping | www.jgmshipping.co.uk/quotes

For larger collections including furniture:

GA Removals – E: grahamaustin1960@hotmail.co.uk| T: 07715 241444

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. In the event of online-only auctions, the Buyer shall have a 14 day right to retract, after reception of the Lot, under EU Consumer Law. Public auctions are not covered by this right to retract.

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.

We are pleased to recommend JGM Shipping for domestic & international art shipping and handling. Operating from West London, JGM Shipping offers a competitive, reliable and timely service to both buyers and sellers, pre and post-sale. Please visit their website for a quote.

To view our full Buyer’s Terms and Conditions, click here.   

To view our Returns & Delivery Policy, click here.