Our experienced valuers are available to offer free advice on the entire auction process, either at the saleroom on Open Valuation days, or at your home by prior arrangement.
Below are some frequently asked questions that will help you understand the process of selling at auction.
The first stage of the auction process is an assessment by one of our experienced valuers. All of our valuers are Society of Fine Art Auctioneers Associates. We hold regular free valuation days at the Salerooms, (usually every Monday, except Bank Holidays) and additional off-site valuation days as advertised in the press and our newsletter. We have an extensive range of Sale Categories and in addition to our full time valuation staff, we have access to a team of specialist consultants across a range of subject areas.
Many people save time by taking advantage of our free online valuation form and we aim to respond as quickly as possible, subject to any research required.
For larger collections, or where you need to clear an entire house contents, please contact the Saleroom to discuss the various options available.
Every lot in every sale is fully illustrated, and is available to bid for online.
Our regular Antiques & Interiors Sale features a fully illustrated online catalogue available on three specialist websites with advanced search options.
Our quarterly Specialist Sale additionally offers telephone bidding, and condition reports prepared in advance for every lot.
Prior to both auctions, vendors receive a pre-sale email notification of their lots.
This is the minimum hammer price (reserve) that an item will be sold for. The reserve must be agreed with the Salerooms' valuer at the time of consignment. The reserve price is confidential and is not disclosed to prospective buyers. Where there is no reserve specified the items will be sold for the highest bid. Clevedon Salerooms do not usually place reserves on items valued below £50.
Clevedon Salerooms can instruct on your behalf independent experienced and fully insured carriers who can pack and deliver items to the Salerooms. Vendors are welcome to make their own transport arrangements and all consignments generally need to be delivered to the Salerooms on the published consignment days at the Salerooms. Deliveries outside of these days need to be made by prior arrangement with the Saleroom Manager.
The Sale results are uploaded to our website during the sale. Post-sale advice emails are sent to vendors a few days after the date of the auctions. We credit our vendors two weeks after the general antique sales, and four weeks after the Quarterly Specialist Sales.
Payment is made by bank transfer wherever possible, and by sterling cheque if not.
In the event an item fails to sell, an unsold lot notification is sent by post to the Vendor with our suggested course of action. This may be to re-enter the lot into a subsequent auction, arrange collection or (where no bids were received at low level) we may suggest donating to charity.
Our commission charge to Vendors is 15% of the hammer price achieved.
Loss and damage warranty = 1.5% of the hammer price achieved.
Lot entry fee = £5
All the above subject to VAT
Click here to see our full Vendor Terms of Consignment & Sale
Clevedon Salerooms Limited operate to the highest professional standards
Members of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers SOFAA
Experienced valuers (all senior valuers have over 20 years minimum experience)
Separate ring-fenced client money client accounts
Professional Indemnity insurance
Public liability insurance
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Clevedon Salerooms Limited is a member of the Property Ombudsman scheme
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