TERMS & CONDITIONS
(December 2020 until further notice)
British Bespoke Auctions, Bespoke House, Gretton Road, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5EE
+44 (0)1242 603005 ? admin@bespokeauctions.co.uk ? www.bespokeauctions.co.uk
Coronavirus Precautions
During the Coronavirus restrictions, British Bespoke Auctions continues to offer auctions via online platform
only. Please note that there will be no viewing day nor personal attendance at the auction: until restrictions
are lifted our auctions are online only. We will allow collections strictly by appointment with bookings made
through our website, making sure that we abide by the Government advice for safe distancing. We have an
in-house postage & packing service dispatching to destinations worldwide, for which we are happy to provide
quotations; in the present conditions there may be some delay for your items to arrive. Bespoke Auctions
reserves the right not to send items that we deem to be too fragile.
Third Party Liability
Every person on Bespoke Auctions Ltd premises at any time shall be deemed to be there at his/her own risk.
S/he shall have no claim against Bespoke Auctions Ltd in respect of any accident which may occur or injury,
or damage or loss howsoever caused, save insofar as the injury, damage or loss shall be caused by the direct
negligence of Bespoke Auctions Ltd employees.
General Conditions of Sale
1. Classification In these Conditions, Bespoke Auctions Ltd, who act only as Auctioneers and Agents for the
Vendor, are called ‘the Auctioneers’ and the representative of Bespoke Auctions Ltd conducting the auction is
called ‘the Auctioneer’. The ‘hammer price’ means the price at which a lot is knocked down by the Auctioneer
to the Buyer. The ‘total amount due’ means the hammer price in respect of the lot sold together with any
premium and Value Added Tax chargeable, and additional charges & expenses due from a defaulting buyer
under Condition 10 below.
2. General
(a) Agency. The Auctioneer sells as Agent for the Seller and as such is not responsible for any default by Seller
or Buyer. The Auctioneers do not guarantee the title of any Lot or Lots sold by them and will not be responsible
for any defects in such title.
(b) Description. Every Lot is sold with all faults and errors of description, and the Auctioneers disclaim, for
themselves and for the Seller, all responsibility for authenticity, attribution, age, origin, provenance, date,
condition, quality or estimated selling price. All statements on such matters, whether printed in the catalogue
or made orally, are statements of opinion and not necessarily representations of fact. Buyers are deemed to
have satisfied themselves on authenticity, condition etc before bidding, and no-one in the Auctioneer’s employment has authority to make any representation of fact. All statements in the catalogue as to any such matters
are statements of opinion and are not to be taken as, or as implying, statements or representations of fact.
(c ) Bespoke Auctions Online Sales are provided on the basis that you will place bids on your own behalf. In
the event that Bespoke Auctions agrees to place a bid on your behalf in an Online Sale, we do so as an
additional service without charge, and Bespoke Auctions ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY, DUTY OR LIABILITY
WHATSOEVER, WHETHER FOR NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, IN THE PLACING OR FAILURE TO PLACE SUCH
BIDS.
(d) Lots offered for sale will vary in terms of age, type and condition, with potential faults, imperfections and
repairs, and are offered for Sale “AS IS” in their condition as at the time of sale. Lot Descriptions reflect
Bespoke Auctions’ reasonable opinion within the terms on which they are provided; are provided for general
reference; and do not purport to be and may not be taken as complete descriptions of the Lot. Lot Descriptions
and Condition Reports may contain inaccuracies and typographical errors and we do not warrant the accuracy
or completeness of the content or that any defects will be noted or corrected. Condition Reports represent our
reasonable opinion (recognising that we are not restorers or conservators) and are intended to offer a general
view as to the overall condition of the Lot, but may not cover all condition issues. Online images depend on
connectivity and performance of computer equipment and may not accurately represent the Lot’s colours and
shades. Given the age of many Lots, they may have been damaged and/or repaired and you should not make
any assumptions about the condition or any other aspect of a Lot. If you yourself do not have expertise regarding a Lot, you should consult someone who does to advise you. It is your responsibility to take appropriate
advice on and satisfy yourself as to the attributes of any Lot in which you are interested.
(e) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FORGERY (SEE 14), BESPOKE AUCTIONS DOES NOT OFFER ANY WARRANTY
OR GUARANTEE FOR LOT DESCRIPTIONS, CONDITION REPORTS, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ATTRIBUTION, AUTHENTICITY OR PROVENANCE, AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE
EXCLUDED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW.
(f) Bespoke Auctions reserves the right, in our sole discretion, to correct any errors or omissions in any portion
of the Online Sale and to make any changes to the features, functionality or content of the Online Sale at any
time. BESPOKE AUCTIONS EXCLUDES LIABILITY WHETHER IN NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY ERROR
OR OMISSION IN ANY DESCRIPTION OF A LOT OR ANY ESTIMATE IN RESPECT OF ANY LOT OR THE CONTENTS
OF ANY CONDITION REPORT OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER GIVEN ORALLY OR IN WRITING AND WHETHER GIVEN
BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE SALE. This disclaimer and exclusion do not affect your statutory rights as a
Consumer.
(g) Bidding. The Auctioneer has absolute discretion to divide any Lot, to combine any two or more Lots, to
withdraw any Lot, to refuse bids, to regulate the bidding or cancel the sale without in any case giving any
reason. S/he may bid on the Seller’s behalf for all goods which are being offered subject to reserve or at the
Auctioneer’s discretion. Where there is no reserve either the Seller or his/her Agent (who may be the Auctioneer) has the right to bid on the Seller’s goods. All intending purchasers must register their name & address
with the auction staff and obtain a bidding number.
(h) Fall of the Hammer. The highest Bidder shall be the Buyer. If any dispute arises, the Auctioneer has
absolute discretion to settle the dispute or to re-offer the Lot.
(i) Auctioneer’s Statement. All Conditions, Notices, descriptions, statements and other matters in the catalogue
and elsewhere concerning any Lot are subject to any statements modifying or affecting the same made by the
Auctioneer from the rostrum before accepting any bid for the Lot.
(j) Increments. Bidding increments shall be at the Auctioneer’s sole discretion.
(k) Entry. We shall have the right at our discretion, to refuse admission to our premises or attendance at our
auctions by any person. IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY COVID GUIDELINES ARE IN PLACE.
(l) Endangered Species Laws. In accordance with international laws, any item on the Endangered Species List
(eg ivory, rhino horn, etc), of whatever date, requires re-export permits for bidders outside the European Union.
Some countries also require import permits. Bespoke Auctions Ltd cannot be held liable if a purchaser buys
a lot subject to these laws and then import/export licences cannot be arranged. Certain countries, particularly
the USA, have their own Endangered Species Act and possession of, or being involved in a commercial transaction with, any item on this list can be a Criminal Offence for a citizen of such a country. It is the potential
buyer’s responsibility to check Federal, or other, Regulations before bidding on any lot affected by these or
similar regulations. (No licence is required to sell or advertise pre-1947 items within the European Union).
(m) Special Jewellery Notices. Some lots are accompanied by gemological certificates giving an opinion on
some or all of the gemstones in that particular lot. These certificates may have been obtained by British
Bespoke or supplied by vendors. Please note that the content of these certificates is not guaranteed by British
Bespoke and we cannot be held responsible for any disagreement over the content of certificates after the sale,
or for a retrospective change in opinion by the providers of any of the certificates. Gemstones and jade of
Burmese origin are not permitted for import by The United States of America.
Conditions Mainly Concerning Buyers
3. Premium. The Buyer shall pay to Bespoke Auctions Ltd the hammer price together with a premium (at the
rate detailed below) together with Value Added Tax at the standard rate on the premium, agrees that the
Auctioneers, when acting as Agents for the Seller, may also receive commission from the Seller in accordance
with Condition 23 and acknowledges the Auctioneer’s right to retain the premium payable by the Purchaser.
Rates of premium for buyers are: (i) for Antique & Collectable Sales – 20% on the first ?250,000 paid for each
lot; 14% on the excess between ?250,001 and ?500,000; 11.5% on the excess between ?500,001 and
?1,000,000; 9% on the excess over ?1,000,000; (ii) for Specialist Sales – 22% on the first ?250,000 paid for
each lot; 15% on the excess between ?250,001 and ?500,000; 12.5% on the excess between ?500,001 and
?1,000,000; 10% on the excess over ?1,000,000.
4. Live Internet Bidding. Bespoke Auctions Ltd offer an on-line service via our own website and via
www.the-saleroom.com. In order to bid in an Online Sale, you must be at least 18 years of age and you must
register to bid online. Please allow us sufficient time to complete our pre-registration checks, and in any event
you must be registered at least one working day prior to the start of any Online Sale or you may not be able
to bid online in that Sale. In completing the bidder registration, the buyer agrees to Bespoke Auctions Ltd’s
payment terms. Bespoke Auctions Ltd does not hold card details left on record with the-saleroom.com. Please
note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com will be subject to an additional 4.95% commission plus VAT
at the rate imposed on the hammer price; lots purchased through our own website are subject to an additional
3% plus VAT. Bespoke Auctions will not be liable for service delays, interruptions or other failures to make a
bid caused by losses of internet connection, fault or failure with the website or bidding process, or malfunction
of any software or system, computer or mobile device.
5. The Buyer agrees that the Auctioneers, when acting as Agents for the Seller, may also receive commission
from the Seller in accordance, and acknowledges the Auctioneer’s right to retain the premium payable by the
Purchaser.
6. Value Added Tax. Lots marked with ‘*’ belong to registered persons and Value Added Tax will be charged
at the standard rate on the hammer price.
7. Payment. It is of critical importance that you ensure that you have readily-available funds to pay the
Purchase Price and the Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT and any other charges and Expenses to us) in full before
making a bid for the Lot. Bespoke Auctions Ltd accept payments by UK bank transfer, cash and debit cards
without charge; a ?10 fee applies to International bank transfers. Cheques are accepted by prior arrangement
only and will require clearance before goods are taken. We regret that we do not accept Credit Card payments
nor PayPal transfers. If you are a successful Bidder, payment will be due to us by 4.30 pm on the second
working day after the Sale. Payments made by anyone other than the registered Buyer will not be accepted.
Bespoke Auctions Reserves the right to vary the terms of payment at any time. Bespoke Auctions’ preferred
payment method is by bank transfer. You may electronically transfer funds to our Bank Account. If you do
so, please quote your online paddle number (referenced on your invoice). Our Bank Account details are as
follows: Bank – Lloyds Bank plc; Address – Montpellier, Cheltenham, Glos; Account Name – Bespoke Auctions
Ltd; Sort Code – 30-95-72; Account Number – 29084568; IBAN – GB28 LOYD 3095 7229 0845 68;
BIC/SWIFT – LOYD GB21 108. If paying by bank transfer, the amount received after the deduction of any bank
fees and/or conversion of the currency of payment to pounds sterling must not be less than the sterling amount
payable, as set out on the invoice. In default the Lot or Lots so purchased may be immediately put up again
and re-sold. Proof of identity is required from all first-time Bidders, which may include a copy of a current
passport.
8. Ownership. The ownership of the Lot purchased shall not pass to the Buyer until s/he has made payment
in full to the Auctioneers of the total amount due, but each Lot is at the sole risk of the Buyer from the fall of
the hammer.
9. Removal of Purchases. No purchase shall be claimed or removed until the Buyer’s account has been paid
in full. All Lots shall be paid for and removed at the Buyer’s risk & expense by the time stipulated in the
catalogue. Failing this the Auctioneers shall not be responsible if Lots are lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
and all Lots not so removed shall remain at the risk of the Buyer. The Buyer shall be responsible for any
removal, storage and loss or waiver charges on any Lot not taken away by the time stipulated. All damage
done to the premises or to any Lots by the removal of any of the goods shall be paid for by the Purchaser of
the goods. No Lots can on any account be transferred to another Purchaser.
10. Post & Packaging. Packing is undertaken in-house and shipment is made usually by The Royal Mail.
Insurance cover can be included, but only if requested. Buyers accept full responsibility for any damage or loss
during transit. The packing and handling of purchased Lots by the Auctioneer’s staff are undertaken solely as
a courtesy to clients. In no event will the Auctioneers be held responsible for damage incurred by their packing
or handling of sold Lots. Bespoke Auctions reserves the right to decline packing goods that they believe to be
too fragile to pack in-house, and specifically do not undertake to send glass items or glazed pictures.
11. Default. Any Lots not paid for and collected by the time stipulated may be removed for storage, the
charge to be payable by the Buyer. If they are not paid for and collected within seven days of the sale, the
Auctioneer may re-sell them by auction or privately without notice to the Buyer. The deficiency, if any,
attending such re-sale together with warehouse and other charges shall be made good by the defaulter at this
sale together with interest at 2% above Lloyds Bank plc base rate upon the price of any Lot which has not been
paid for within 48 hours of the sale. Any money deposited in part-payment shall be held by the Auctioneers
on account of any liability of the defaulter to them or to the Seller.
12. Commission Bids. Commissions given other than in person (eg by telephone) are accepted at the
sender’s risk and must be confirmed either in writing or by telephone. Telephone bidding is subject to a
minimum bid of ?150. There is an additional fee of ?10.00 for International Calls.
13. Principal. Every Bidder shall be deemed to act as principal unless the Auctioneers acknowledge in writing
that s/he acts as Agent on behalf of a named principal.
14. Forgeries. Notwithstanding any other terms of these Conditions, if within fourteen days after the sale,
Bespoke Auctions Ltd receive from the Buyer of any Lot notice in writing that in his/her view the Lot is a
deliberate forgery and within twenty-one days after such notification the Buyer returns the same to the
Auctioneers in the same condition as at the time of sale and by producing evidence, the burden of proof to be
upon the Buyer, satisfies the Auctioneer that considered in the light of the entry in the catalogue the Lot is a
deliberate forgery, then the sale of the Lot will be rescinded and the purchase price of the same refunded. In
the event of a dispute then the matter shall be settled by arbitration, the Arbitrator to be nominated by the
President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Both the Buyer and the Vendor agree to be bound
by the decision. A Buyer’s claim under this Condition shall be limited to any amount paid in respect of the Lot
and shall not extend to any loss or damage suffered or expense incurred by him/her. The benefit of this
Condition shall not be assignable and shall rest solely and exclusively in the original Buyer.
Conditions Mainly Concerning Sellers.
15. Title. The Seller warrants to the Auctioneers and to the Buyer that s/he is the true owner of the property
or is properly authorized to sell the property by the true owner and is able to transfer good and marketable title
to the property free from any third-party claims. The Seller will indemnify the Auctioneers, their servants &
Agents and the Buyer against any loss or damage suffered by either in the consequence of any breach of this
condition.
16. Instructions. As Bespoke Auctions Ltd are Auctioneers, all goods delivered to their premises will be
deemed to be delivered for sale by Auction unless otherwise stated in writing and will be catalogued and sold
at Bespoke Auctions Ltd’s discretion and accepted by them subject to all the Sale Conditions. By delivering the
goods to Bespoke Auctions Ltd for inclusion in their auction sale, each Seller acknowledges that s/he has
accepted and agreed to be bound by all these Conditions.
17. Collection. Bespoke Auctions Ltd will, if requested in writing, instruct a contractor on the Seller’s behalf
in their capacity as Agents. The Auctioneers disclaim all responsibility for loss or damage to goods or for unauthorized removal of goods and for damage to premises caused by the contractor, who should be insured for
such risks. The remover’s charge will be deducted from the proceeds of sale.
18. Loss or Damage. The Auctioneers disclaim all responsibility for loss or damage to goods or for unauthorized removal of goods unless caused by the direct negligence of their employees.
19. Storage. The Auctioneers reserve the right to store or arrange for the storage of goods delivered to them
for sale either on their own premises or elsewhere at their sole discretion. They exempt themselves from any
liability for loss or damage to goods delivered to their salerooms without sufficient sale instructions and reserve
the right to make a storage charge for such goods. There is a charge for goods stored.
20. Right to Sell. Sellers will be charged for goods left on the premises if the Seller has been requested to
remove them and if the goods are not removed within seven days of such request. In the event of an unsold
item not being collected within six weeks of the sale it will be disposed of at Bespoke Auctions’ discretion.
21. Reserves. The Seller shall be entitled to place prior to the auction a reserve on any Lot, being a minimum
hammer price at which that Lot may be treated as sold. The reserve once placed by the Seller shall not be
changed without consent of the Auctioneers. The Auctioneers may at their discretion accept bids for 90% or
more of the reserve. They may also sell at a hammer price of less than 90% of the reserve, but in any such
case the sale proceeds to which the Seller is entitled shall be the same as they would have been had the sale
been at 90% of the reserve. In the event of any reserve price not being reached at auction, the Auctioneers
are empowered to sell by private treaty after the auction, at 90% or more of the reserve price, as long as the
goods remain on their premises.
22. Commission and Expenses. The Seller authorizes the Auctioneers to deduct commission at the stated
rate, charges and expenses where applicable from the hammer price and acknowledges the Auctioneers’ right
to retain the premium payable by the Buyer in accordance with Condition 3. (i) The Seller’s Commission is set
on the hammer price as follows – 15% commission on the first ?5,000 realized by any lot, 12.5% on the next
?15,000, and 10% on any amount above that. (ii) Listing (to include cataloguing, photography & social media)
– ?6.00 for smaller items, ?10.00 for larger (eg furniture). (iii) Transport – ?50.00 per hour. (iv) Loss or
Waiver charge – 1.5% on all sales, with a minimum of ?1.50 plus VAT per lot.
23. Loss. The Auctioneers will insure property (other than motor vehicles) consigned to them for sale. Such
insurance will be at the expense of the Seller and will be against the risks of fire, theft following forcible entry
and water damage (but not against accidental breakage or damage). The value of the goods so covered shall
be the gross amount realized, or in the case of unsold Lots the best bid, or in the case of goods withdrawn prior
to the sale that which specialized staff of Bespoke Auctions Ltd shall in their absolute discretion estimate to be
the auction value of such goods. Bespoke Auctions Ltd shall not be responsible for damage to or the loss, theft
or destruction of any goods not so insured upon the owner’s written instructions. Bespoke Auctions Ltd shall
not be responsible for accidental breakage, loss or damage howsoever caused unless directly caused by the
negligence of their employees.
24. Rescission. If before the Auctioneers remit the sale proceeds to the Seller, the Buyer makes a claim to
rescind the sale under Condition 14 if appropriate and the Auctioneers are of the opinion that the claim is
justified, they are authorized to rescind the sale and refund to the Buyer any amount paid to the Auctioneers
in respect to the Lot.
25. Payment of Sale Earnings. Payment will normally be sent to the vendor within twenty-five working days
after the sale by cheque or Bank Transfer, subject to the appropriate deductions regarding commission, loss
or waiver, expenses & carriage, where necessary. The Auctioneers shall not be liable for payment to the vendor
until they themselves have received full payment from the Buyer.
26. Protection. The Seller shall duly indemnity Bespoke Auctions Ltd against any claims in connection with
any goods sold by Bespoke Auctions Ltd on the Seller’s behalf.
27. Electrical Goods. These can only be sold if inspected beforehand by an electrician and issued with a
safety certificate (PAT Testing). We can arrange this, and the cost of ?10.00 plus VAT will be deducted from
sale proceeds.
28. Withdrawn Lots. Any lots withdrawn by the vendor prior to auction may be subject to charges at the
auctioneers’ discretion.
29. Entries and Quality. The Auctioneer reserves the right to refuse or regulate entries. On no account will
Bespoke Auctions Ltd accept poor-quality or unsaleable lots.
30. Upholstered Furniture. Modern upholstered furniture is accepted for sale only if bearing manufacturer’s
labels complying with current regulations.
Bespoke Auctions Ltd – March 2021
