Guide to buying fine art at auction

Consigning and selling your items at Cheffins auctions is very straightforward.

Our specialist teams of valuers will provide you with an accurate valuation and advise you on the most suitable auction for your items. Once you have decided to consign your items for auction with us, our team will guide you through the sale process.

 

Once you have received a valuation, either verbally or in writing from one of our specialist, we are always happy to guide you through the process of selling at auction.

 

Once you have decided to submit your item(s) to auction, we will assist in the delivery where necessary and provide you with a full receipt itemising each object. The receipt will also indicate any reserves that have been agreed along with the proposed auctions dates and terms. In conjunction with this, we will also ask you to complete and sign a Seller’s Consignment Agreement, which provides us with all of your contact details and outlines to you our conditions of sale.

 

Cheffins is proud to produce industry leading catalogues for all of our specialist sales. Our team of in-house specialists and external consultants provide extensively researched academic catalogue descriptions which sit beside professionally photographed images of the items offered for sale, whilst our online catalogues market goods to a global database of potential buyers.  Cheffins in-house PR and Marketing department work closely with local and national publications to publicize our sales and generate press interest.

 

Ahead of the auction, you will receive a complimentary copy of the catalogue (for specialist sales) and a pre-sale notification, confirming the lot number, estimate, any reserve that may have been agreed and the terms of the sale. Please note that all lots with estimates of £100 or less will be sold without reserve.

After the sale, you will be sent notification by email or post with the results of your sale. If you would like to find out on the day, the results are uploaded on our website as the sale progresses, alternatively, you can call the office on 01223 213343.  Settlement of the net sum due to you is made for all items that have been paid for and collected 28 days after the sale. Payment is usually made via a bank transfer, however, we can provide a cheque upon request. We will also provide a statement reconciling your account, outlining all fees and charges that have been deducted.

 

Our standard vendor commission rates are as below, however, we are always happy to discuss terms on an individual basis for higher value consignments.

  • Fine Art and Specialist Sales: 17.5% plus VAT of the hammer price, subject to a minimum charge per lot of £20 plus VAT whether the lot is sold or unsold
  • Antiques and Interiors Sales: 20% plus VAT on the hammer price, subject to a minimum charge of £10 plus VAT whether the lot is sold or not


In addition, we may make a nominal charge for illustration in a printed catalogue. If you choose to withdraw a lot after the catalogue has closed, you will be liable to pay a fee of 15% plus VAT of our pre-sale mid estimate.

 

Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.

 

You will be notified of any unsold items by either phone, email or post soon after the sale. Please contact us on 01223 213343 to discuss whether they may be suitable to re-offer at another sale or arrange collection.