BUYING AT AUCTION

Bidding at auction has never been easier or more accessible. Whether you are a first-time buyer or seasoned collector, our team is here to help with any questions you may have. Below is a simple step-by-step guide to the different ways you can bid at auction and our charges.   

CHISWICK LIVE 

Chiswick Live is our online bidding platform which combines market-leading technology with the excitement of a live auction and allows you to bid from anywhere in the world.  

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 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 with our online bidding partners charging up to 5% for this service.   

BID IN PERSON

We are thrilled to invite you to our Saleroom to bid in person. To bid in person at auction, please register in advance for a bidding paddle by filling out and submitting a registration form at our reception on the day of the sale. When registering in person we require photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence.  

TELEPHONE BIDDING

Telephone bidding is easy and simple: one of our dedicated client services representatives will work with you as the auction happens, to relay the bidding activity in the room on the day and place bids on your behalf.  

To qualify for the service, all lots in a specialist themed sale, need to be worth at least £200 in the lower end of estimation & for our Interiors, Homes & Antiques monthly sales at least £100 (lower end of estimation)

Please email 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 client services representative will relay the bidding activity in the room and place bids as you wish.  

bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk 

ABSENTEE BIDS 

Can’t place your bid in person or in real time for a specific auction? You can submit an Absentee bid and we will bid on your behalf at the lowest possible price up to your set limit.  

Please email 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.   

bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk

SALEROOM & INVALUABLE 

We partner with several third-party online bidding platforms including The Saleroom and Invaluable. These platforms can be used to place bids at our auctions. Please see below for more information on the associated fees with online bidding.  

 

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

19th & 20th Century Photographs

19th & 20th Century Photographs

30th Nov, 2023 11:00
Register to bid
Interiors, Homes & Antiques

Interiors, Homes & Antiques

4th Dec, 2023 9:30
Register to bid
Designer Handbags & Fashion

Designer Handbags & Fashion

5th Dec, 2023 10:00
Register to bid

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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. 

* 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: 

  • 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. 

 

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. 

 

We 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, 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   

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 

 

Or for larger collections including furniture, please contact:  

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.

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.