Our guide to buying at auction

Browse the sale

Buying at auction is a hassle free process. For every auction sale, you can view all the lots in person and eye up the ones that really pique your interest.

We’re also on hand to talk you through a particular lot. Our sales take place every month. If you can’t make the sale viewing, don’t worry we have this covered. For any items you’re interested in bidding on, we’re happy to provide condition reports, so you gain more detail about the lot. Just make sure that you’re satisfied with the condition before bidding. We’ve replaced our printed catalogues, with online catalogues, to make it easier to browse in the comfort of your own home. So you can start browsing away, approximately one week before every auction sale.

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Try our Bid Calculator

Our clever bid calculator will compute the total cost of your bid, working out the Buyer’s Premium and any online bidding fees.

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Bidding in person

When bidding in person, you can’t beat the sense of excitement in the air. Just register at the sales office on the day of the auction, and we’ll give you what’s called a paddle number.

This is a bidding number that you raise up when bidding, so the auctioneer can see it clearly – and make eye contact too, when placing your bid. Don’t worry if you scratch your nose, we won’t be inadvertently selling you a Picasso.

Invoices are raised to the name assigned to the paddle number. We can’t transfer lots to other names or numbers after the fall of the gavel, when bidding literally stops - the auctioneers decision is final, so there’s no going back.

Auction sales vary in how long they take to complete, depending on the auctioneer of the day. Generally, we sell around 120 lots per hour.

You just need to produce your paddle number when paying for your lot. Please note there is a buyer’s premium of 26% (inclusive of VAT on all purchased items).

If you can’t be there. Don’t panic.

Can’t get to the auction sale on the day? Don’t worry. You can still bid with us – it’s called absentee or commission bidding. We take your instructions and act on your behalf.

Absentee or commission bidding

It couldn’t be easier. Just leave your maximum bid with us in person, via phone or email and we can bid on your behalf - up to that amount.

Telephone bidding

We can also relay the ‘live’ bidding to you via telephone if you prefer to listen to live updates. Just be aware there are only limited telephone lines, so it’s first come first served. We advise you arrange a telephone bid at least 24 hours prior to the start of the sale and we can only accept telephone bid on items with an estimate of + £200.

Live online bidding

If you can’t be with us, buying at auction online from your laptop in the comfort of your own home is another practical solution to bid for the lots you love. Just register with us for live online bidding the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com

Please note there can be a delay in the audio and video when bidding online and we advise our clients to rely on the text displayed on the bidding screens when live bidding via online platforms

If you're the winning bidder - well done.

If you’re bidding in person in the room, you can pay for the item during or immediately after the sale. Just take the bidding number to the Accounts office for processing.

You can pay by cash, debit or credit card and bank transfer (please ask for details). Just be aware that we don’t accept single cash payments over £5,000.

If you’re bidding online or via absentee/telephone bid, you’ll receive an invoice via email with a link to our secure online payment system.

Once payment has cleared, you’re free to collect your successful bid. Small items can be collected during the sale at the discretion of the porters, and larger items such as furniture can be removed at the end of the sale. Our accounts staff are also available to answer any enquiries regarding payment prior to - and at the sale.

Sold items not collected or paid for within fourteen days of the sale incur storage charges of £5 per day per lot.

Due to recent changes in banking security checks, we are no longer able to take payments over the phone. Payment must be made either via the link on your invoice, by bank transfer or in person.

Package and shipping

If you’re unable to pick up your successful bid, we offer a limited packing service at the auctioneer’s discretion. For information please contact us.

Just be aware that liabilities are with you the buyer and we do not pack or ship any fragile items such as pottery, porcelain, glassware, paintings, arms or weaponry.

We’re happy to recommend the following agents as an alternative choice:

That’s Your Lot
Unit 38 Wombourne Enterprise Park, Bridgnorth Road, Wolverhampton, WV5 0AL
Tel: 01902 475212

Visit website >

Storage and handling fees are only charged after 14 days. (Please refer to our terms and conditions of business). For furniture collection, owners should arrange collection times with our office and provide 48 hours advance notice. If an agent is collecting furniture, they need to supply proof of identity and authorisation from you.


Notice from Fieldings
Although we always endeavour to help out clients wherever we can, assistance such as moving heavy furniture/loading vans cannot be guaranteed. Please make sure all buyers and carriers who are coming to collect items have the correct packaging and assistance.

Any questions?

Please just get in touch and ask if you are unsure of anything, we are a friendly bunch! Below we have prepared some frequently asked questions and a glossary to help you.


FAQs

Fieldings Auctioneers Ltd
Mill Race Lane
Stourbridge
DY8 1JN

Tel: 01384 444 140

Click here for information on how to find us.

We offer a limited packing service within the U.K. only and at the auctioneer’s discretion. For information please contact us. All liabilities are with the buyer. We do not pack or ship any fragile items including pottery, porcelain, glassware, paintings, arms or weaponry. We confidently suggest the following agent as an alternative choice:

That's Your Lot Unit 38 Wombourne Enterprise Park, Bridgnorth Road, Wolverhampton, WV5 0AL

Tel: 01902 475212

https://www.thats-your-lot.co.uk/

Neither storage nor handling fees are charged for the first 7 days. After this time charges are made. (Please refer to our terms and conditions of business). When collecting furniture, owners will need to arrange collection times with our office and provide 48 hours advance notice. If an agent is collecting furniture we would require the third party to supply proof of identity and authorisation from the buyer.

The pace of the auction can be very varied, therefore it can be very difficult to determine exactly how many lots per hour, however we normall sell on average 120 lots per hour.
Our opening hours are 9.30am-5pm Monday to Friday and we do not close for lunch.
We do have a limited amount of packing materials and if we have it available we are happy to provide it for clients if they have purchased an item. However we can not guarantee that we will have some available and urge clients to make their own arrangements to avoid disappointment.
We are happy to give free advice on as many items as our clients bring in, however as our valuation days can be busy, we ask clients to be sensible with the level of items they bring. If you have a large collection of items our valuers are happy to come to see you, please call or email and we will advise further.

Contact us

All of our auctions are listed on www.the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com - live bidding will be available for every auction.
We have a free onsite carpark, there is also free additional carparking available close by.
We are very happy to welcome well behaved children and dogs in to the saleroom.
Yes we have full disabled access and facilities.
At Fieldings we pride ourselves in being fine art auctioneers so we do not sell white goods, however we can recommend local sellers that may.
Our buyers premium is 26% of the hammer price inclusive of VAT.