Timed online sales
Lots close one after another at a published time. Bid whenever suits you over the days the sale is open — a late bid extends that lot briefly, so nothing is won by sniping.
Every lot starts at £1 with no reserve, and every sale is online. Here is exactly how buying with us works, from registering through to loading the van.
There is no bidding in the room — every lot is sold online. Whichever way you bid, you are bidding into the same sale against the same lots.
Lots close one after another at a published time. Bid whenever suits you over the days the sale is open — a late bid extends that lot briefly, so nothing is won by sniping.
Follow the auctioneer in real time from your phone or computer and bid with a tap as each lot comes up. The catalogue order tells you roughly when to tune in.
Cannot watch? Leave your maximum in advance. The platform bids for you in the smallest steps needed and stops at your limit — you often buy for less than you were prepared to pay.
Every lot in every sale opens at £1 with no reserve. On top of the hammer price you pay a buyer’s premium, and the bidding platform adds its own fee for bidding online.
| Charge | What it is | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Opening bid | Every lot starts here. There are no reserves and no estimates to beat. | £1 |
| Hammer price | Whatever the bidding reaches when the lot closes. | Your winning bid |
| Buyer’s premium | Added to the hammer price of every lot you win. | 20% |
| Online bidding fee | Charged by the bidding platform that runs the sale, and shown in the catalogue. | Per catalogue |
| VAT | Charged where it is due. Any lot affected is marked in its description. | Where applicable |
Worked example: win a lot at £20 and you pay £20 plus 20% premium (£4) — £24, before the platform’s own bidding fee. The full conditions of sale are in our terms & conditions of sale.
Bidding is online, but the goods are real and you are welcome to come and see them. Lots are laid out on Monday morning, 10:00 to 13:00. Pick things up, open drawers, ask us to plug something in. We would far rather answer a question than take a complaint afterwards.
Invoices go out automatically when the sale closes. Once paid, collect during the published collection days. We do not deliver, so bring help and a suitable vehicle — or send a courier. Storage charges may apply to lots left beyond the collection period.
No. Register once and the same account works for every auction we run. You may occasionally be asked to confirm your details or provide ID for higher-value lots.
A bid is a legally binding offer to buy, so please bid carefully. If you have made a genuine mistake, ring us immediately and we will do what we reasonably can before the lot closes.
Everything is sold as seen. We describe lots as accurately as we can and photograph them from several angles, but a general saleroom moves hundreds of items a week and we cannot test everything. That is exactly why viewing matters — come and look before you bid, or ring us and ask.
You are invoiced automatically once the sale closes. Pay by card through the invoice link, or by bank transfer using the details shown on it. Lots are released for collection as soon as payment has cleared.
No. Everything is collected from the saleroom by the buyer, so please make sure you can move a lot before you bid on it. You are welcome to send your own courier, and we will help you load on the day.
Set up your free bidding account, then browse whatever is currently catalogued.