Buying At P.F Windibank
You can bid in person at the Auction, (you will need to produce photo ID) you can bid live (online) via our website - create an account and browse the catalogue for the item of your choice and leave a bid, you can also watch the auction live on the day of the sale and bid in real time against others. See our terms and conditions for more information.
Attending The Auction
If you are attending the Auction you will need to register for a bidding paddle with photo ID, please check what time the Lot you are interested in is likely to be sold (Timings for each auction category can be found in the online catalogue which is available to view approximately 10 days prior to the Auction). Generally the Auctioneer sells approx 120 lots an hour. The Auctioneer will not start auctioning any category until the time shown.
You should aim to arrive at the Auction Room at least half an hour before the time that the Lot in is due to be sold. This will enable you to register with us as a buyer and collect your bidding number card/paddle. You will also be able to get a feel for what is happening.
The Auctioneer usually takes bids from two or three people at a time on any Lot. If you wish to bid you should raise your bidding number/paddle to ensure that your bid is noticed by the Auctioneer. The Auctioneer will then be able to look to you for further bids until you decide that you wish to stop bidding (when you need to simply shake your head) or are successful in purchasing your Lot.
When the Auctioneer's hammer falls a legally binding contract is made. It is therefore important that you are aware of all the Buyer's Terms and Conditions of Sale.
Collection and Payments are taken in our showroom all day (see Terms and Conditions) we accept debit cards and some credit cards, cash (up to £9,000) or cheques under £150 with prior consent of the auctioneers.
You can also pay your account by bank transfer on receipt of our invoice.
Viewings
Viewings are on the Wednesday before at 10am-5pm, Thursday from 10am-5pm, Friday from 10am-5pm preceding the Auction and viewing on the morning of the sale between 8:15am and 9:30am.
Lots cannot be viewed whilst the sale is in progress.
When you attend a viewing session the Auctioneer is always present and is happy to give his opinion on any lot and indicate the price he expects the antiques to achieve.
THE 3 R'S - REASONS TO BUY AND SELL AT AUCTION
Reduce, Recycle, Reuse...................
Sale of Ivory
This Auction we have a few ivory pieces for sale and you will notice that we have included a Submission Reference number in the Lot description. Following on from the Ivory Act of 2018 new Government regulations dated 6 June 2022 mean that if you intend to sell ivory, it must fall below 10% of the total volume or within the approved exempt list and also be registered or certified as exempt. If the item is to be exported, you will need to check if an export permit is required. Currently the cost to apply for exemption is £20 and you will need to provide photos, a description and declare that your item meets the relevant exemption criteria, failure to do this may lead to a significant fine. Full information can be found on the gov.uk/guidance/declare-ivory-you-intend-to-sell-or-hire-out site. The new legislation has had an impact on ivory sales and in many cases, it is not worth paying for the exemption. It is not illegal to own ivory and our advice would be to keep it, give it away as a gift or leave it to someone in your will.