Buying at Auction
Buying at auction is easy and fun! Of course the best way to bid is to attend the sale and enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of an auction. However, should you be unable, we offer the following services on this website.
BEFORE PLACING A BID
Prospective purchasers should always thoroughly examine any items they are interested in before placing a bid and before the auction commences. Buyers are responsible for satisfying themselves concerning the condition of the lots and the descriptions in the catalogue (whilst every care is taken to provide an accurate description in the catalogue, it is based on a statement of opinion and not on fact.
Click here for Terms & Conditions
ABSENTEE BID
You are welcome to leave a bid with us and the auctioneer will bid on your behalf against other bidders. Although on occasions the hammer price may fall on the amount you have left, this will only be because there was an under bidder, many times you will pay less than you have left on your commission bid.
AUTO-BIDS
When you have decided which lots you would like to bid on you may leave bids via our website. The latest time we can accept bids on line is at 8.00am on the morning of the sale.
TELEPHONE BIDS
These must be arranged prior to the day of the sale. Please note that we are unable to arrange telephone bids on items estimated at under £500.
LIVE ONLINE BIDDING
This website allows you to watch and listen to the sale live and participate in the auction. You can see live auctions on our homepage, and also on the Auctions tab - to view an auction which currently live, simply click the Watch Live button. Please note that there is an additional 4.95% buyers premium for buying lots using this service.
We are also present another online platform www.easyliveauction.com. Easy Live Auction give you the choice of paying a flat fee of £3 to use this service instead of paying a percentage on the hammer price. You can see our catalogue on Easy Live Auction by clicking here.
REGISTRATION
Buyers need to register before bidding. In person, you will need to complete a registration form and will then be given a permanent bidding number. If you mislay this number the office staff will be able to look it up for you. Registering on this website is automatic, please contact us if you wish to use a permanent bidding number online.
BUYERS PREMIUM
A buyers premium of 21% is payable in addition to the hammer price. VAT (charged at the current rate) is payable on the premium only. For example for every £100 that you spend, it will cost you £125.20 (this includes commission and VAT).
PAYMENT
We accept all major debit cards, please note we do not accept credit cards. Alternatively outstanding amounts may be paid directly into our bank account via a BACS transfer. We no longer accept cheques.
COLLECTION
All items must be paid for and collected within five working days following the end of the sale - i.e. Friday of the following week. Storage charges will apply following this date.
Items will be insured for five working days after the sale, after this period we will not take responsibility for loss or breakage of items.
Willingham Auctions offers a delivery service, at modest cost, using our own staff and vehicles.
COMMISSION RATES
Buyers commission is 21% plus VAT
Post 1950 Upholstered Furniture
All items of furniture included marked with a * in this sale are offered for sale as works of art. The items may not comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) Safety Regulations 1988 and for this reason, they should not be used in a private dwelling.