Selling at Auction
Making selling at auction more profitable for you
ILLUSTRATION
Photographs will be used for illustrating vendors’ goods in the catalogue and/or on the Internet, as well as in national or local advertising.
Next Sale – 8th May
View the Sales Catalogues and Bid Online at the following auction sites.
Antiques valuation days
Find out about our Antiques Valuation Days for Insurance & Probate.
Receive updates
Get up to date with Sales Days and Register an interest in specific items.
Making selling at auction more profitable for you
Selling at Auction
For over 200 years we, and our predecessors, have been hosting regular fine art and antique auctions from our saleroom in Oxfordshire, in addition to providing antiques valuations for buyers and sellers throughout the UK.
We operate a full sales calendar, with regular two day fine art and antiques auctions. Auction catalogues are available to view online and are updated regularly with detailed photo galleries, descriptions and guide prices. The saleroom is open weekdays, 9.00am to 4.00pm, to receive items for sale, and for valuations and auctions advice. Prior to sale day, viewings are at advertised times (see individual auction details) and on the morning of the sale itself.
Whether you are a first time buyer or seller, an experienced antiques dealer or an enthusiastic collector, our dedicated team of specialists will use their years of experience and expertise to help you to obtain the best results at auction and ensure that the process runs smoothly throughout.
A simple guide to how it works
Auction Process
Included below are a selection of the standard features of our auction service:
Full terms and conditions of sale for Purchaser and Vendors can be found at Conditions of Sale for Buyers and Conditions of sale for Sellers.
A selection of the most asked questions about selling at one of our auction sales
Frequently Asked Questions
Included below are a selection of the standard features of our auction service:
Valuations & Appraisals
Are you able to provide an appraisal of an item suitable for auction?
Goods can be brought to our premises at any time by appointment where we will endeavour to provide you with an appraisal of the item and advise you of its suitability for inclusion within one of our auctions.
How am I able to get a valuation for sale of an item?
You may bring items to our premises at any time by appointment for us to provide you with a valuation for the purposes of inclusion within one of our sale days. For large and bulky items, you may be able to arrange a home visit from one of our Auctioneers.
Do I need to bring in my item(s) for appraisal? What about very large items?
You will need to make an appointment to bring in your items for appraisal as suitable for inclusion within one of our sales. Very large or bulky items can be appraised at a home visit by one of our Auctioneers.
Cataloguing & Pricing
Do I need to provide photographs of my item(s) for inclusion in the sales catalogue?
No, we will arrange any photography to be used for illustrating sellers item(s) in the sales catalogue and/or on the Internet.
Will there be additional costs for listing my item(s) within any local or national advertising?
No, there will be no additional charges made for photographs used to illustrate your sale item(s) within any national or local advertising, third party websites or within our own email marketing.
Am I able to place a reserve price on my item(s)?
All items are offered WITHOUT Reserve unless written instructions are received by the Auctioneers at the time of appraisal or prior to the sale. Instructions given by telephone are at the senders risk and all instructions should be confirmed in writing. Reserve Prices of less than £100 are not accepted on any item.
Auction Fees
What are your fees for selling items on my behalf?
Commission is charged on a lot by lot basis at the rate of 18% (there is a minimum charge of £10.00 plus VAT per lot sold or unsold). This includes inspection, advice, cataloguing and all national and local advertising.
How will you make payment to me of the sale proceeds less your fees?
Payment of the sale proceeds of your item(s) will be made by direct bank transfer (BACS), once all fees and costs have been calculated and deducted, and we have been paid by the purchaser for your lot(s).
Will there be any fees if my items do not sell on the day?
If an item is unsold on the day of the auction, then there is a minimum fee of £10 + VAT.
For items withdrawn from the sale, prior to the catalogue being published, there is a minimum fee of £10 + VAT. Once the catalogue has been published full commission would need to be paid on any item then withdrawn from the sale.
Storage & Transport
When can I deliver my item(s) to the saleroom for the sale?
Once appraised and included within the sale, you may bring your items for sale to our premises at any time by appointment. No liability will be accepted for loss or damage to goods delivered to the Auctioneer’s premises without sufficient instructions or identification.
Nominal storage charges are incurred for articles awaiting sale. Storage charges are also made on lots that are unsold or withdrawn. The Auctioneers reserve the right to donate to charity or otherwise dispose of any items sent in for sale, which are unworthy of submitting for sale by auction or which prove to be un-saleable.
Are you able to collect large items from my home?
For large or bulky items included within one of our auctions, we, or our carriers, will collect from your home in any area as economically as possible. Transport costs are the responsibility of the Seller and will be deducted from the proceeds of sale.
Will I need to insure my item(s) whilst they are in your possession?
No, all items received for sale are covered under the Auctioneer’s policy whilst on our premises. A charge of 1% + VAT of the hammer price is made to Sellers for this. The value for insurance purposes shall be at the assessment of the Auctioneers and shall not exceed the lower figure of the published sale estimate. Please note that motor vehicles, polished surfaces, glass and picture frames are excluded.
Are there any additional costs of storage I should be aware of?
Nominal storage charges are incurred for articles awaiting sale. Storage charges are also made on lots that are unsold or withdrawn from sale.
Unsold Lots
What happens if my item(s) do not sell on the sale day?
In the event of any lot failing to sell, it may (at the Auctioneer’s discretion) be re-offered WITHOUT Reserve in the next available sale unless contrary instructions are received within seven days of the Seller receiving notification that it is unsold.
In the absence of contrary instructions any unsold items considered by the Auctioneers to be unworthy of re-offering will be disposed of without further reference.
Will there be any fees if my items do not sell on the day?
If an item is unsold on the day of the sale then there is a minimum fee of £10 + VAT.
For items withdrawn from the sale, prior to the catalogue being published, there is a minimum fee of £10 + VAT. Once the catalogue has been published full commission would need to be paid on any item then withdrawn from the sale.
Are there any additional fees to relist at another sale day?
Fees are applied for each individual sale.
When do I need to collect any unsold items from you?
Any items marked for collection and not collected by the given date will be disposed of without further reference, items being retained by Sellers must be collected by the given date or they will be removed to Wilkins of Henley store at the vendors’ expense and a storage charge at Wilkins’ advertised rate applied.
Registered valuer
