Buying

Catalogues for each sale can be viewed online approximately two weeks prior to the sale. Illustrated catalogues can be purchased and sent by post, please contact the office to order your catalogue. Catalogue Subscriptions

Buyer’s Premium on all lots is 22% plus VAT  (26.4% inclusive of VAT)

Viewing

All sales are on public view the week of sale at least two days prior to each auction (please see the sale catalogue auction information for the exact times).

Condition Reports

If you are unable to view personally we are pleased to offer condition reports upon request and when practically possible. This information is offered as guidance only and buyer’s must satisfy themselves with the condition of lots before placing any type of bid.

Registration 

For new clients wishing to register to bid at the auction photographic identification will be required in the form of either a current driving licence or passport.

Bidding Methods

There are 4 methods in which you can join in with any auction:

1. In The Room 2. Absentee Bid 3. Phone Bid 4. Internet Bidding 'Live'
Register Register/Sign-In Register Register/Sign-In
Begin Bidding in the Room Leave Bid Details Join By Phone Bid Live or Leave Bids
  Leave it to us    

1. In the room

Get involved in the auction atmosphere and bid in person at the saleroom.

2. Absentee Bid

Leave a bid with us. The auctioneer will bid on your behalf and will endeavour to purchase the lot as cheaply as possible. If identical bids are submitted, the person who bid first will take precedence. This can be done through the following link. Register to send us your Bids 

Absentee bidding via the website closes one hour prior to each auction start time, after this bids can only be accepted by telephone. 

3. Phone Bid

A member of staff will contact you before the lot comes up. Best for those who can’t be in the saleroom. This service is limited to lots estimated £500 and above is offered at the auctioneers discretion. Please contact the office to book your line.

4. Internet Bidding ‘Live’

GH Live is our own online bidding platform.

It offers a host of features including, ‘Pre-Bidding' automated bids, sale alert updates and personal watch lists with bid history all in one place.

Register here and once your account has been created you will be able to login and register to bid in any of our specialist auctions.


‘Pre-Bidding Autobids’

'Pre-Bidding' is a computer autobid feature which allows bidders to bid against each other prior to the start of a live auction, similar to Ebay. During the live auction the bidding will start at the current bid reached during the 'Pre-Bidding' and continues until your maximum bid is reached. All bids are anonymous, and your maximum bids are confidential.

If you have been outbid, during the ‘Pre-Bidding’ then you will receive an email notifying you that you are no longer the leading bidder and offers you the opportunity to bid again, however once the sale is live you will not receive any further notifications.

Once bids are placed, they cannot be removed, but can be reduced, if above the current bid.

If you do not want your bids displayed then please use an alternative bidding method, either via bidding live on the day of sale, or leaving an Absentee Bid for the Auctioneer to bid on your behalf.


Payment Details & Clearance

All lots must be paid for and cleared within seven days after the sale. Goods will not be released until full payment is received and cleared.

We are pleased to accept payment by the following methods: direct bank payment, debit card, credit cards (chip and pin only, see below), cash to a maximum of £8500.

Cheques payments are no longer accepted. 

Deposit payments made direct at the bank or via telephone banking will need to be confirmed as 'cleared funds' before any goods are released. 

Please contact us for the bank wire transfer information.

 

Card Payments

Due to an increase in card fraud, we do not accept payments by credit or debit cards for 'customer not present' transactions over the telephone. Card payments are still accepted at the saleroom and must be supported by 'chip and pin', under no circumstances will this method be bypassed.

Card payments via our bidding platform Gardiner Houlgate Live will only be accepted if they have been AVS (addressed matched) and 3D Secure via Opayo, with a maximum transaction value of £1000 for Jewellery & Watch auctions; £2000 limit for all other auctions. At the discretion of Gardiner Houlgate.

 

Release of Goods

Payment and clearance should be made within 7 days after the sale. Goods will not be released until full payment has been received and a paid invoice produced. All funds paid direct to bank will be checked for clearance.  For clients arranging courier or third party collection – written instruction must be received from the purchaser; identification will be requested from the courier and vehicle details will be taken, unless known to us. For security purposes our premises are monitored with 24 hour CCTV.

Import/Export

It is the buyers responsibility to obtain the correct import/export licenses and CITES licenses for items which they have purchased. Gardiner Houlgate take no responsibility for the export of goods.

For Packing and Shipping information please click HERE

Click HERE for full terms & conditions.

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Packing and Shipping

We offer an excellent packing service for smaller non-fragile items to all UK postal addresses, such as jewellery, watches and small collectables. (Minimum fee £16 plus VAT). All parcels are sent insured via Royal Mail Special Delivery subject to the parcel dimensions, or via another ‘signed for’ service. Please contact us for a personal quote.
 
Click here for more information

Commission Bidding Form with Gardiner Houlgate

You can place an absentee bid, and the auctioneer will bid on your behalf if you are unable to attend the sale. This online commission bidding facility is provided as a convenient way of sending your bids direct to us and there is no extra charge for this service.
 
Click here for more information