CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR BUYERS
1. The Auctioneer acting as an Agent.
As auctioneers, we act as an agent on behalf of the vendor/seller. Unless otherwise agreed, sales of goods at our auctions result in contracts made by the vendor, through us as agents, with the buyer. We sell on behalf of the vendor whose identity, for reasons of confidentiality, is not disclosed without consent
2. The Buyer.
(a) Bidding is made using a paddle number. Prospective bidders must complete and sign a registration form, or an absentee bid form or telephone bid form should they be unable to attend the sale and provide identification if required before making a bid at auction. Any person who, nonetheless, makes a bid at a sale will be deemed to have accepted and agreed these Conditions, and the terms of any Notices and other conditions in the catalogue, whether or not they have delivered a completed Registration form.
(b) Items sold at auction have age, of varying degree, accordingly the condition is never perfect and lots are sold on an ‘as found’ basis, subject to all faults and imperfections which are not specified in the catalogue description. The catalogue description is for guidance only and does not imply an item is free from defects. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to inspect any goods in which they are interested in person to statisfy themselves of the condition of the lot before the auction takes place. Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd. do provide condition reports, but these are a personal opinion and only given as a guide to the buyer. We provide no guarantee to the buyer other than in relation to forgeries.
(c) The buyer shall be the highest bidder acceptable to the Auctioneer and the Auctioneer shall have absolute discretion to settle any dispute.
(d) Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd reserve the right at their absolute discretion to refuse a prospective bidder or admission to their premises or attendance at their sales, without giving any reason therefore.
3. Catalogue Descriptions.
(a) Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd takes great care when providing descriptions for lots in the sale, however, any statement as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, size, medium, weight, provenance, condition or estimated selling price is a statement of opinion of the seller or of Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd and is not to be taken as a statement or representation of fact.
(b) The photographs of lots are for a guide to the buyer only, and should not be relied on to determine the tone or colour of any item or to reveal imperfections. Descriptions as to the condition of any lot, are not provided within the catalogues.
(c) Buyers are responsible for satisfying themselves concerning each and every aspect of the lot, including the condition, authorship, attribution, provenance, authenticity, age, suitability and origin, and matters referred to in the catalogue description prior to bidding at the auction.
4. Absentee Bidding.
(a) Commission Bids.
(i) Bidders unknown to Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd will be required to provide identification, e.g. photocard driving licence or passport. Without these details we may not accept the bid. Card details will be taken upon the buyer placing bids.
(ii) If bids are successful, buyers accept that Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd will charge the card provided for the total amount after seven working days of the sale should we not be advised by the buyer to pay by another card or alternate method of payment.
(iii) Card details will be kept secure, in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will not be kept for any longer than is necessary.
(b) If we receive commission bids on a particular lot for identical amounts, and at auction these are the highest bids for the lot, it will be sold to the person whose bid was received first. Prospective buyers should therefore always attend personally if they wish to be certain of bidding. Failure to sign the bid form may result in the bids not being processed.
(c) All bids made by Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd on behalf of the prospective buyer will be made at the lowest level possible subject to reserves and other bids made for the lot.
By Post: Absentee bidder forms can be posted to Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd on the forms provided and must be signed by the bidder. These will be subject to the same conditions as Absentee bids.
Telephone Bids: If prospective buyers for a lot make arrangements with us not less than two clear days before the sale, we shall use reasonable efforts to contact the bidders to enable them to participate in the bidding by telephone as the sale takes place, but in no circumstances will we be liable to either the seller or any prospective buyer as the result of failure to do so. Stamford Auction Rooms Ltd. recommend that a covering absentee bid is also left in case of communication problems.
