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Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions for Sellers

  1. The seller confirms that they have the legal right to sell any item consigned to Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers.

  2. A commission rate of 15% (plus VAT on the commission where applicable) is payable by the seller of individual lots sold, subject to a minimum charge of £10 plus VAT per consignment.

  3. Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers have the right to withdraw any item from the auction and return it to the vendor.

  4. If the seller wishes to withdraw an item from the auction after it has been catalogued then a withdrawal fee of 15% (plus VAT) of the mid presale estimate will be charged.

  5. Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers insures property consigned to it at mid pre-sale estimate, unless the item has been sold, in which instance the property in insured at the hammer price for theft, loss, fire or negligence whilst in their custody.

  6. The seller gives the Auctioneers the absolute right to reproduce any photographs or illustrations of any item consigned with them for sale (including any photographs or illustrations provided by the seller) and retain copyright of those images. The Auctioneers reserve the right to use images of any item consigned with it as it sees fit.

  7. If a buyer returns a lot within 2 weeks with a complaint that the Auctioneers deem to be justified then the Auctioneer is authorised to cancel the sale and refund the total amount paid for the lot the buyer.

  8. Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers will pay the seller the net proceeds received and collected from the sale of the property no later than 30 days after the date of the auction, after deducting its commissions.

  9. Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers will notify the seller of any unsold lots within 3 working days after the sale. The seller may choose to re-offer any lots in a future auction with a lower reserve or have the item(s) returned at their expense. If instruction is not received within 2 weeks after the sale the lot will be offered in a future auction without reserve and sold to the highest bidder.

  10. It is the responsibility of the sellers to notify Griffin's Auctioneers of any changes of address in writing. Every effort will be made to contact sellers, but where a seller is unable to be contacted for a period of 90 days Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers reserve the right to offer their goods for sale at auction without reserve to be sold to the highest bidder. Any monies realised will be held by Griffin's Auctioneers and Valuers until claimed by the seller. We reserve the right to deduct commission and expenses including storage charges.

  11. In the event of non-payment by the buyer, Griffin's Auctioneers may cancel the sale at their sole discretion and re-offer the lot(s) at a future sale or return the lot to the seller.

Terms & Conditions for Buyers

  1. A buyer’s premium of 20% plus VAT will be added to the hammer price of all lots.

  2. Payment for all purchased lots must be made within 7 days of the sale. After this period the Auctioneer reserves the right to cancel the sale at their sole discretion or to re-offer lots for which payment has not been received in a future sale.

  3. Absentee or commission bids: Leave the maximum bid you are prepared to offer for each lot and the auctioneer will purchase the lot on behalf of the commission bidder for the lowest price allowed by other bids and/or reserves up to their maximum bid. It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure the details of all bids placed are correct. Bids must be left at least 24 ours before the auction takes place unless you have an agreement with the Auctioneer. ‘Buy’ bids will not be accepted by the Auctioneers. It is the bidders responsibility to ensure that all bids sent via email or post have been acknowledged by the Auctioneer. Griffin’s Auctioneers make every effort to ensure all bids left are placed on the auctioneers book, however we cannot accept liability for any failure to receive or place any bids.

  4. Live online bidding: Live online bidding and auto-bids made via Easy Live Auctions will incur additional charges. All bids made via easyliveauction.com will incur a surcharge of 3% plus VAT or a one-off fixed pre-payment of £3.00 per auction.

  5. Telephone bids: Telephone lines can be booked for lots with a bottom pre-sale estimate of £100, or for multiple lots at the discretion of the Auctioneers. Telephone lines must be booked the day before the sale at the latest and it is the bidders responsibility to ensure it has been acknowledged b the auctioneer. Griffin’s Auctioneers make every effort to ensure all bids are accurate, however we cannot accept liability for any errors made in taking bids by telephone.

  6. Room bidders: Room bidders are required to register and obtain a bidding number on arrival. Successful buyers will hold the number aloft and ensure it is your number the auctioneer calls out. If you have any doubt as to the price or buyer please draw this to the auctioneer’s attention immediately. Room bidders may settle their invoices and collect their purchases at any time during the sale.

  7. Bidding advances will be regulated by the auctioneer and all bids are accepted solely at the auctioneers discretion. The auctioneer has the right to re-open any lot in the auction, even if the hammer has come down. Griffin’s Auctioneers are not responsible for any problems or errors with any bidding platform software used in the room or at the bidders location. The auctioneer reserves the right to bid on behalf of clients, but shall not be liable for any omissions or errors in executing instructions to bid. The auctioneer acts solely as an agent and shall not be liable for any default by the purchaser or vendor.

  8. If two identical bids are left on the same lot, the bid received first will take preference.

  9. Condition stated of any lot in auction descriptions, and in reply to pre-sale enquiries, regarding authenticity, condition, age, size and value are a guide only. These are statements of opinion only, and not a fact. It is advised that interested bidders should view items in person. Griffin’s Auctioneers are not liable for any errors or omissions contained therein.

  10. The absence of any description of damage, defects or restoration in any description or condition report does not imply that there are none. It is the bidders responsibility to satisfy themselves of a lots condition prior to bidding.

  11. Any weights or measurements provided are only approximate.

  12. The Artists Resale Rights (A.R.R.) or Droit de Suite: A.R.R. may apply to some lots and is payable to a living artist or to his o her estate in accordance with European directive 2001/84/EC. The buyer must pay an additional 4% on the sale price for works of art selling for between €1,000 and €50,000 (Euro’s). Lesser percentages apply in higher brackets. No additional costs or handling fees are retained by the Auctioneers.

  13. Paintings and drawings: Any statement as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, provenance or condition is not t be taken as a statement of fact, but as an opinion.

  14. If you are successful in an auction with a commission, telephone or internet bid an invoice will usually be sent within 48 hours of the auction taking place. All invoices must be paid within seven days, unless another arrangement has been made with the Auctioneers.

  15. Payment methods: Griffin’s Auctioneers accept payment by bank transfer, debit cards, credit cards (up to £500 only), cheque’s and cash (up to £8,000 only owing to money laundering regulations). Payments from overseas must cover any banking charges. Bank details can be found on our BUYING AT AUCTION page or on invoices sent after the sale.

  16. Griffin’s Auctioneers offer an in-house postal service and can provide shipping quotes on request. For larger items such as furniture a third party courier or specialist shipping service may be required.

  17. All requests for shipping will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

  18. Griffin’s Auctioneers are not liable for any items lost or damage caused when items are in transit with a courier or postal firm. 

  19. Griffin’s Auctioneers will declare the full value of any lot or lot sent to international buyers. We are not responsible for any import or customs charges of the country of destination. The buyer is responsible for ensuring they can legally import any item purchased into their country. We recommend obtaining independent advice if you are unsure on any import issue.

  20. Collection: All collections must be made by appointment if not on the day of the sale.

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