Our guide to buying at auction

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'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.