Crow's Auction Gallery
auctioneers & valuers
Buyers
I've never been to an auction before, how do I bid on an item?
You will need to register with Crow’s Auction Gallery, or one of our online auction platforms. When you have found an item you would like to bid on you need to make a note of the lot number and read the description carefully. You can either bid in person by attending the sale at the Dorking Saleroom, or via the internet by bidding online. New online bidders intending to spend over £500 must contact us prior to the sale or their bidding will be terminated. Telephone bids are accepted for lots
with an estimate of over £50. Read more on our Buyers page.
I am not available to bid during the live auction, is there any other way?
You can phone or email us with a commission bid. Your maximum bid amount will be left with the auctioneer who will bid on your behalf. You can also leave an absentee bid with any of our online service providers.
What can I do if I can’t view the lot in person?
It is recommended that you view any lot you may be interested in. In the event that you cannot view you can either phone or email to request a condition report. Make sure you ask any specific questions you may have regarding the condition, age etc. of the lot, and you can ask for extra photographs if applicable.
I am the winning bidder, how do I pay for my lot?
You can pay by cash, debit card, credit card, bank transfer or Wise. For UK Buyers we will accept debit and credit card payments up to £1200; for Overseas Buyers we will accept debit and credit card payments up to £1000. Anything over these amounts must be paid via Bank Transfer or Wise. Payment must be made by the end of the day after the sale. If your payment will be later than this date, you must phone or email to notify the auctioneer.
What is the post sale online auction?
This is an online auction similar to Ebay, where the unsold lots from the live auction are offered until the Tuesday evening after the live sale. It is hosted on the saleroom.com and can be found via a link on the homepage of our website. Bidders have to register with the saleroom.com to bid, and if they are the winning bidder they will be charged the additional internet charge of 4.95% plus VAT.
I won a lot but no longer want to buy it. What should I do?
Bidding on a lot is considered a contract and you are obliged to purchase the item. Crow’s Auction Gallery supports a policy of pursuing non-paying bidders through the courts. However if you feel that you have a legitimate reason for not buying the item, you must contact us prior to the end of the sale and discuss the situation.
If I am the winning bidder, how do I collect my lot/s?
You can either collect your lots in person, or contact us to arrange delivery/shipping. You will be given a quotation including packing. Items are generally dispatched within 4 working days of receipt of payment. All lots are required to be cleared within one week of the sale, otherwise they may become subject to storage charges of £3.00 per lot per day plus VAT. Lots left for more that a month will be removed to a long term store and can only be collected by prior appointment.
Is my item insured?
If you are the winning and are having lot/s delivered/shipped to you, insurance will only be effected upon receipt of written instructions. Crow’s Auction Gallery ltd bear no responsibility for the safety of items once they have left our care.
Can you arrange P&P?
We regularly send out small items but generally ask the buyer to arrange their own shipping for larger items of furniture etc. We will help with this arrangement if contacted. The bidder is responsible for ascertaining whether their item can be imported into the country they want it shipped to.
Vendors
Can I watch my item being auctioned?
You can watch your item being auctioned by coming to our sale room or watching it online, but be aware that the auctioneer tends to hammer everything as sold, you should check that this is the case after the sale.
What happens if my item sells?
In the event that your item sells, we will subtract the lotting fees and 15% commission plus VAT and send you a cheque 30 days after the auction.
What happens if my item doesn’t sell?
If your item doesn’t sell it will automatically be entered in our post sale online auction. If it still doesn’t sell, you must collect it or it will be re-entered into the next sale and further lotting charges will be applied. We strongly recommend that you phone us on the Wednesday following the sale to establish whether your item has sold or not.
What is the post sale online auction?
This is an online auction similar to ebay where the unsold lots from the live auction are offered until the Tuesday evening after the live sale. It is hosted by the saleroom.com and can be found via a link on the homepage of our website. Listing is offered free of charge to the vendor.
Is my item insured?
If you are leaving an item to be offered for sale, it is insured for the lower estimate at an obligatory cost of £2.00 plus VAT.
What happens if my item remains unsold and I don’t collect it?
Crow’s Auction Gallery Ltd retains the right to dispose of uncollected items as they see fit.