How to Buy at Auction

Overview

All of our auctions are accompanied by a fully illustrated online catalogue which is available a week prior to sale. To view catalogues, please visit our Auction Calendar. For the majority of sales, customers are invited to preview the lots in person beforehand. Please note that, whilst lot numbers run consecutively, there may be gaps between sections. For example, jewellery and watches may end on lot number 270 but the following pictures section will still start on lot 301.

Bidding in Person

In order to buy in person at one of our auctions, customers are required to create an account with us. In order to create an account, customers are invited to complete a form with their contact information and provide one form of photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. Once registered, customers will be issued with a bidding number. 

You can download our new bidder form and bring it with you ahead of the auction.

Whilst bids may be left on items before the sale, lots cannot be purchased before the auction. Lots including multiple items catalogued together are sold as one. Please remember that at auction it is up to you, the bidder, to satisfy yourself about the condition of an item. Additional photos and condition reports are available on request.

Absentee Bidding

If customers are unable to attend the sale, we offer live online bidding through the-saleroom.com whereby bids can be placed in real time. Alternatively, a commission bid can be left with the appropriate saleroom. Absentee bid form.

Commission bid – by email: bid@richardwinterton.co.uk

Online Live Bidding

Absentee (Auto bid) and live bids can be submitted at bid.richardwinterton.co.uk, please note that there is an additional 3% (plus VAT) premium for this service.

All sales offer an online bidding facility through online platforms. 

Every sale has a live video feed to our Saleroom so that bidders can view the auction in real time and bid as if in the room.

In order to bid online, customers must create an account on any live platform.

* 3% charge (plus VAT) for all transactions made through bid.richardwinterton.co.uk
* 5% charge (plus VAT) for all transactions made through www.the-saleroom.com
* A flat fee £3 or 3% (plus VAT) for all transactions made through www.easyliveauction.com
* (Timed Auction Only) 0% online fee

* Please note these are additions charges on top of our buyer’s premium – please see Fees for details *

Fees

The buyer’s premium is charged at 22% plus VAT on the hammer price of any lots purchased.

If lots are purchased online through the-saleroom.com charge a further 5% (plus VAT), bid.richardwinterton.co.uk charge a further 3% (plus VAT) and Easyliveauction £3 or 3% (plus VAT)administration charge is applicable.

****** Timed Auction Only – Zero online fees just buyer’s premium applicable 22% plus VAT ******

Payment

We accept payment via debit card or bank-to-bank transfer, for which details can be found at the bottom of the copy invoice which will be sent via email after the sale.

We regret that we are unable to accept payment by credit card to a large increase in costs – we felt it unfair to increase buyers’ premium and penalise customers who do not use credit cards.