Due to the complicated logistics of assembling a vast array of items from many different sources, the only viewing time available is the day of the auction, commencing 1.5 hours prior to the sale. All items are displayed for prospective buyers to inspect.
We encourage you to inspect all Lots very carefully, and to read the Lot descriptions in the auction catalogue, prior to the auction.
Each auction is catalogued, with each item receiving a lot number and a description. The auction progresses in lot order, taking approximately 1 hour per 100 lots.
In the event that a prospective purchaser cannot stay to bid on an item, we may bring a particular lot forward. This request can be made during the viewing period or during the auction. We also offer a telephone bidding service (this must be organised prior to the auction commencing) or an absentee bid where the auctioneer can execute a bid on your behalf. Our front desk staff will be happy to discuss and arrange any of these options with you.
The auctioneer regulates the auction procedure and has the absolute discretion to determine the outcome of any dispute during the course of any auction.
You need to register at our registration desk, and obtain a bidding card. As a condition of registration, you will need to provide a current driver’s licence and/or another form of photo identification which is acceptable to us. Simply raise your hand, bidding card or call out your bid. The auctioneer will also accept commonly used hand signals, which will be explained at the commencement of the auction.
Payment for purchases is to be made in Australian dollars on the day of the auction. We accept cash, EFTPOS, American Express, Visa, MasterCard & Diners Club cards. A 2% surcharge applies to payments made with American Express and Diners Club cards only. Personal & company cheques can only be accepted with 3 major forms of identification by the successful purchaser. The auction company has the discretion to hold the merchandise until the cheque is cleared, if the cheque exceeds a predetermined amount. Once payment has been made in full all items can be removed by the purchaser from the particular venue. In the event where full payment cannot be made on the day of the auction, a 20% deposit must be lodged immediately after the auction with full payment due within one working day.
Yes, GST is included in the purchase price. Overseas purchasers who are not Australian residents may reclaim the GST, subject to customs guidelines.
It is standard practice across all auction houses to add a fee to the sales price of every item. This fee, known as a Buyer’s Premium, forms part of the commission for the auction house. For example, if an item is sold for $100.00 with a 19.8% buyers premium, the final cost to the purchaser will be 100 x 19.8% = $119.80. Note that the final hammer price excludes the buyer’s premium.
There may be fixed reserves on the items for sale in our auctions and we reserve the right to place a reserve on any Lot to be sold. However, the auctioneers have wide discretion and can refuse a bid, refer or pass in an item if they deem the bid to be unreasonable.
No, all auction houses require customers inspect potential purchases thoroughly during the scheduled viewing of goods and evaluate their priorities before bidding.
On the fall of the hammer the highest bidder is deemed to have entered into a contract to buy the Lot.
We make every effort to ensure that our catalogue descriptions are accurate and complete. We have a refund policy in our terms and conditions in the event that there is an error or omission in any catalogue description.
It means that the artwork has been produced in limited quantities. Usually the number is also shown on the artwork. For instance “145/500″ means the artwork in question is limited to a print run of 500, and the one for sale is No. 145 in the print run.
It refers to a printed artwork produced by a printing process in which the image to be printed is rendered on a flat surface, as on sheet zinc or aluminum, and treated to retain ink while the non-image areas are treated to repel ink.
It means that in the opinion of the auctioneer the artwork in question appears to be in the same style as the named artist. It does not mean that the named artist was in fact the creator of the work.
We endeavour to ensure that all aboriginal artworks to be sold are created by indigenous Australians of Aboriginal descent. To that end we only deal with suitably qualified and experienced Aboriginal art dealers (or with the artists themselves). We provide certificates of authenticity with each and every Aboriginal artwork sold. Wherever possible we also provide a photograph of the artist holding actually creating the artwork sold, by way of further evidence to verify that the artwork is in fact attributable to the artist as described in our catalogue.
We take great care to ensure that all our artworks to be sold are as described in the catalogue. To that end we only deal with suitably qualified and experienced art dealers.
You will need to make your own arrangements to arrange delivery of large items to your home. We can recommend some delivery companies to assist with packaging and transportation but accept no liability or responsibility for their actions.
In the event that delivery is not available on the day of the auction, in most cases the goods can be left at the venue for your collection the following day. Purchase conditions stated above still apply.
Note that ‘risk’ passes to the purchaser on the fall of the hammer so we encourage purchasers to effect ‘all risk’ insurance cover to insure against damage, destruction or theft of the item following the sale.
Simply register with the front desk staff at an auction, or register online to receive notice of future auctions in your area.