19th Century Chinese Blue and White Moon Vase

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, and 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: 23.5% plus VAT on the first £200,000 of the hammer price; 18% plus VAT on the excess between £200,001 up to £1,000,000 of the hammer price.

4. Live Internet Bidding.  Bespoke Auctions Ltd offer an on-line service via our own website www.bespokeauctions.co.uk and via www.the-saleroom.com.

The charge for online bidding through www.bespokeauctions.co.uk is 2% (plus VAT); this includes Timed Sales and Specialist Sales. Buyer’s Premium is also applicable.

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 www.the-saleroom.com. Please note that any lots purchased via www.the-saleroom.com will be subject to an additional 4.95% commission plus VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price. 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 (up to £9000) 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 over the phone but are able to send a payment link upon request. We do not take 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: 

Account Name: Bespoke Auctions Ltd

Sort Code:          30-95-72

Account Nr:        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, with 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 20% per annum upon the price of any Lot which has not been paid for within 30 days 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 (e.g., 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 on the original Buyer.

15. ARR. Please note some art works may be subject to ARR (Artists Resale Rights).

Bespoke Auctions Ltd – January 2024