Buying and Selling at Auction

At Henry Adams, we make the entire process of buying and selling at auction as easy and as flexible as possible, both for the regular experienced buyer and for the first time or novice buyer.

Condition Reports

We will provide a condition report and/or image for potential buyers unable to attend the saleroom in person. This gives details of wear and damage but a written report is no substitute for viewing the object in person, something we strongly advise everyone to do. The report is our opinion of the condition of a piece. Contact us at auctions@henryadams.co.uk for more information.

Attending a Sale in Person / Registering to Bid

If you are intending to bid on an item, the first thing you need to do when you arrive is register at the Auction Office in order to collect a bidding number. We reserve the right to impose a deadline prior to the auction by which you must register or by which we must receive commission bid. If you wish to bid on high value lots this deadline may be several days before the auction in order to allow us sufficient time... Read More

Absentee (Commission) Bids

You may leave commission bids with us indicating the maximum amount to be bid against a lot (excluding the buyers' premium and/or any applicable VAT). We will execute commission bids as cheaply as possible having regard to the reserve (if any) and competing... Read More

Telephone Bidding

If you are unable to attend an auction, we can usually facilitate telephone bids on those lots with a minimum published estimate of £300. Since lines are limited, please make arrangements for this service well in advance. Registration is required as above.

Payment

Buyers are reminded that a premium of 20% plus VAT is payable on the hammer price for lots in our sales. Bidding online using the saleroom incurs an extra charge of 4.95% plus VAT. We accept the following methods of payment:

Read More

Collection of Goods

Goods cannot be removed by buyers until they have paid in full. Please note what our Terms of Sale say about collection and storage. It is important that you pay for and collect goods promptly. Any delay may involve you having to pay storage charges.

Information for buyers Read our terms and conditions of sale

If you would like any further information or clarification then please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 01243 532 223 or using our online form.

Contact us

The whole process starts with either a visit to our saleroom with an item, or with a visit to your home by a representative from the saleroom, usually our Saleroom Manager, Andrew Swain.

Read more about our Valuation Services

Once it has been agreed that your item is saleable at auction and you are happy with the estimate/reserve we have recommended, it will be entered into the appropriate sale.

Reserve Price

This is the minimum price at which the item will be sold. It will be agreed with the vendor in advance. It is normal to allow the auctioneer discretion of 10% of the reserve price, e.g. £90 on an item with a £100 reserve or £180 on an item with a £200 reserve. If bidding slows at the discretion figure the auctioneer will sell at that price... Read More

Charges

Commission Our commission for sales is 15% plus VAT.
Insurance All items left for sale are covered by insurance. A charge of 1.5% plus VAT of the hammer price is made to cover this... Read More

Advertising

Regular advertisements are placed in local and regional newspapers and also in the Antiques Trade Gazette, the weekly publication for the antiques industry.

All sales are also available online via the-saleroom.com.

Settlement Terms

We pay clients 28 days after our sales. In the event that a buyer fails to settle his invoice with us we may not be able to settle with our client, but will keep our client informed at every stage if it occurs. We do not release client items to the buyer until payment has been received in full.

Read our Terms of Consignment

If you would like any further information or clarification then please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 01243 532 223 or using our online form.

Contact us

Our Next Sale

Thu 21st March 10am
An Antiques & Collectables Auction

Entries close Friday 8th March

View all lots Bid online at the saleroom

Viewing Days
Mon 18th March: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Tue 19th March: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Wed 20th March: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Valuation Services

A Silver and Jewellery Valuation Day to include Gold Coins and Watches

Mon 18th March - Book an appointment 01243 532223

We offer a number of easy ways to receive a free valuation for auction.

We also specialise in valuation services for insurance, probate and family division

Find out more