The Blue John Sale

Buyers will pay a commission charge of an additional 3% + VAT of the hammer price if lots are successfully purchased online (From August 2013) – normal buyers premium applies.

Fellows recommend that all bidders and buyers read our conditions of buying and buyer’s premium available here or at the back of our catalogues. The buyer shall pay:

On the first £50,000 of the Hammer Price (of any individual lot) the buyer will pay the hammer price and a premium of 20% (plus VAT) or 24% (inclusive of VAT).

On the excess over £50,000 of the hammer price (of any individual lot), the buyer will pay the hammer price and a premium of 10% (plus VAT) or 12% (inclusive of VAT).Items marked with * contain VAT at 20% on the hammer price.

Any Auction shall be conducted at the absolute discretion of the Auctioneer.

The Auctioneer shall conduct the Auction with reasonable skill and care. For example, what constitutes a bid shall be at the absolute discretion of the Auctioneer, acting with reasonable skill and care.

The Auctioneer shall have the right to refuse any bid which does not exceed the previous bid by at least 10% or by such greater proportion as the Auctioneer shall in his or her absolute discretion direct.

Where two or more bids at the same level are simultaneously received by the Auctioneer, the Auctioneer at his absolute discretion shall determine which bid to prefer. Subject to the foregoing, where two or more bids at the same level are simultaneously received by the Auctioneer, any bid by a Bidder personally present at an Auction shall take preference over any bid submitted by telephone or over the internet. Any bid made or attempted by telephone or over the internet shall be deemed to have been made only if received by the Auctioneer.

Fellows shall have the right, at its absolute discretion, to refuse admission to its premises or attendance at (or participation in) any Auction by any person.

Bidders may be required to register their particulars. Bidders attending in person may be required to satisfy Fellows' security arrangements before entering any part of the premises to view or bid.

7.2 You accept full liability for all bids submitted via your My Fellows account.

Once a bid has been made by a Bidder on our website, the bid can be lowered or increased up until 9am on the day of the auction. You must sign into your My Fellows account to do this and you will receive an email confirmation for any changes made.

Should a bid be placed in error on the website you must contact Fellows immediately. Failure to contact Fellows before the auction takes place will result in liability for the full payment of the item.

7.3 Subject to clause 6.3, the highest Bidder at the Hammer Price shall be the Buyer. Any dispute about a bid shall be settled at the Auctioneer's absolute discretion.

7.4 Bidders are deemed to act as principals unless there is a written prior acknowledgement by Fellows that a Bidder is acting as an agent for a named principal.

7.5 Bidders are strongly encouraged to attend the Auction in person. Bidders shall be responsible for any decision to bid for a particular Lot and shall be deemed to have carefully inspected and satisfied themselves as to its condition. Neither Fellows nor its employees or agents shall be responsible for any neglect or default in doing or failing to do so.

7.6 Bidders are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and prospective Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Neither Fellows nor its employees and agents nor the Vendor accept liability for the correctness of such opinions, and all conditions and warranties, express, implied or statutory are hereby excluded.

8. The Buyer

8.1 Immediately a Lot is sold, the Buyer shall:

(a) give to Fellows their name and address and, if requested proof of identity, and

(b) pay to Fellows the Total Amount Due.

8.2 Fellows may, at its absolute discretion, agree credit terms with the Buyer before an Auction under which the Buyer may be entitled to take possession of Lots up to an agreed value in advance of payment by a stipulated future date of the Total Amount Due.

8.3 Cheques shall not be acceptable by Fellows (unless Fellows in its absolute discretion permits payment by such method) nor are third party references or credit facilities with other Auction houses. If a cheque is tendered Fellows reserves the right to instruct its bank to check the Buyer's status and account balance before exercising any discretion. Any credit arrangement must be settled at least 4 days before the relevant sale. Any permitted payment by credit card shall carry an extra charge to the Buyer of such percentage of the Total Amount Due as is displayed on the premises.

8.4 Any payments by a Buyer to Fellows may be applied by Fellows towards any sums owing from that Buyer to Fellows on any account whatever without regard to any directions of the Buyer or his agent, whether express or implied.

9. The Purchase Price 

9.1 On the first £50,000 of the Hammer Price (of any Lot) the Buyer will pay the Hammer Price and a premium of 20% (plus VAT on the total of the Hammer Price and the premium). Value Added Tax is charged at the rate prevailing by law at the date of sale.

9.2 On the excess over £50,000 of the Hammer Price (of any individual Lot), the Buyer will pay the Hammer Price and a premium of 10% (plus VAT) or 12% (inclusive of VAT). The said premium not being negotiable and payable by ALL Buyers. The Vendor authorises Fellows to retain beneficially the premium payable by Buyers.

9.3 Value Added Tax on the Hammer Price is imposed on all items affixed with an asterisk thus - *.

9.4 Buyers will pay a commission charge of an additional 3% + VAT of the hammer price if lots are successfully purchased online via Live Auctioneers and the-saleroom.com.

9.5 Non UK or EU VAT registered buyers can have most classes of VAT refunded on their purchases - please note that auctioneers are under no obligation to provide VAT refunds, although many will offer this service. HMRC are the ultimate refunding authority. VAT refunds are subject to provision of statutory export/import documentation. HMRC have decreed that VAT on buyer's premium is always payable whether the buyer is domiciled in the UK, the EU or outside the EU or wherever the goods are to be sent.  So auctioneers cannot refund VAT on buyer's premium if the goods are sold under normal VAT rules.

10. Title and Collection of Purchases

10.1 The ownership of any Lot purchased shall not pass to the relevant Buyer until they have made payment in full to Fellows of the Total Amount Due.

10.2 Buyers shall at their own risk and expense take away any Lot that they have purchased and paid for not later than 5 working days following the day of the Auction after which they shall be responsible for any removal, storage and insurance charges. Any delivery costs shall be paid in advance by the Buyer.

11. Default by Buyer or Vendor

11.1 As Fellows act as agent for the Vendor, Fellows is not responsible for default by the Vendor or the Buyer.

11.2 If any Lot is not paid for in full and taken away in accordance with these Conditions, or if there is any other breach of these Conditions, Fellows as agent for the Vendor shall at its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights it may have, be entitled to exercise all or any of the following rights and remedies:

(a) to proceed against the Buyer for an action for debt or damages for breach of contract;

(b) to rescind the sale of that Lot and/or any other Lots sold by Fellows to the defaulting Buyer;

(c) to re-sell the Lot by Auction or private treaty. If a lower Hammer Price is achieved on the re-sale than that achieved on the original sale the defaulting Buyer shall be liable for the difference (after crediting any part payment and adding any re-sale costs). Fellows will account to the Vendor for any surplus achieved on a re-sale, however, it shall only be required to account to the Vendor for any resulting deficiency in the event that it receives payment of such sum in full from the defaulting Buyer.

(d) to remove, store and insure the Lot at the expense of the defaulting Buyer and, in the case of storage, either at Fellows' premises or elsewhere;

(e) to charge interest at a rate not exceeding 1.5% per month on the total amount due to the extent it remains unpaid for more than 2 working days after the sale;

(f) to retain that or any other Lot sold to the defaulting Buyer until that Buyer pays the total amount due;

(g) to reject or ignore bids from the defaulting Buyer at future Auctions or to impose conditions before any such bids shall be accepted;

(h) to apply any proceeds of sale of other Lots due or in future becoming due to the defaulting Buyer towards the settlement of the total amount due and to exercise a lien on any of the Buyer's property in Fellows' possession for any purpose.

12. Deliberate Forgeries

12.1 Subject to clause 12.2, any representation or statement by Fellows (including in any catalogue) as to authorship, genuineness, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price is a statement of opinion only. Prospective Buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and prospective Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Neither Fellows or its employees or agents nor the Vendor accept liability for the correctness of such opinions and all conditions and warranties, express, implied or statutory are hereby excluded.

12.2 Any Lot which proves to be a Deliberate Forgery may be returned to Fellows by the Buyer within 21 days of the Auction provided it is in the same condition as when bought, and is accompanied by particulars identifying it from the relevant catalogue description and a written statement of defects. If Fellows is satisfied from the evidence presented that the Lot is a Deliberate Forgery Fellows shall refund the money paid by the Buyer for the Lot (but not the amount of any consequential loss, damages, expenses or interest) provided that (1) if the catalogue description reflected the accepted view of scholars and experts as at the date of sale or (2) the Buyer personally is not able to transfer a good and marketable title to Fellows.

13. Limitations of Liability

13.1 All members of the public on the premises are there at their own risk and must note the lay-out of the accommodation and security arrangements.

13.2 Any indemnity under these Conditions shall extend to all actions, costs, expenses, claims and demands whatsoever suffered or incurred by the person entitled to the benefit of it and Fellows declares itself to be a trustee of the benefit of every such indemnity so far as it is expressed to be for the benefit of its employees and agents.

13.3 While Fellows endeavours to ensure that the information on the Website is correct, Fellows does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the material on the Website. Fellows may make changes to the material on the Website, or to the products and prices described in it, at any time without notice. The material on the Website may be out of date, and Fellows makes no commitment to update such material.

13.4 The material on the Website is provided "as is", without any conditions, warranties or other terms of any kind. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Fellows provides you with the Website on the basis that Fellows excludes all representations, warranties, conditions and other terms which, but for this legal notice, might have effect in relation to the Website.

14. General

14.1 Any notice to any Buyer, Vendor, Bidder or viewer may be given by first class mail or email in which case it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee 48 hours after posting or sending. All notices to Fellows must be sent in writing and email is not acceptable.

14.2 Any indulgence extended to any person by Fellows notwithstanding the strict terms of these Conditions or the Terms of Consignment shall affect the position at the relevant time only and in respect of that particular concession only; in all other respects these Conditions shall be construed as having full force and effect.

14.3 These Conditions and any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with it or their subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) are governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England.

14.4 The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with the Agreement or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).

15. Shipping

15.1 We offer a tracked and insured shipping service for a standard rate of £15.00* per parcel. Please note this does not apply to the Blue John Sale, see the Important Information section for clarification.

15.2 *Larger items, as well as those exceeding a value of £5,000 or weighing in excess of 2kg may be subject to additional fees. Please note this does not apply to the Blue John Sale, see the Important Information section for clarification.

15.3 Due to the size and vulnerability of the items in our Antique Furniture and Silver auctions, we are unable to post these items and advise buyers to check the cost of shipping before bidding.

Fellows & Sons ("Fellows") carries on business with bidders, buyers, sellers and consignors and all those present in the auction room prior to or in connection with a sale on the following General Conditions and on such other terms, conditions and notices as may be set out or referred to herein.

PART I CONDITIONS MAINLY AFFECTING BIDDERS AND BUYERS

1. DEFINITIONS

In these Conditions :

a. "auctioneer" means Fellows or its authorised auctioneer, as appropriate;

b. "deliberate forgery" means an imitation made with the intention of deceiving as to authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source but which is unequivocally described in the catalogue as being the work of a particular creator and which at the date of the sale had a value materially less than it would have had if it had been in accordance with the description;

c. "hammer price" means the level of bidding reached (at or above any reserve) when the auctioneer brings down the hammer;

d. "terms of consignment" means the stipulated terms and rates of commission on which Fellows accepts instructions from sellers or their agents

e. "total amount due" means the hammer price in respect of the lot sold together with any premium, Value Added Tax chargeable and any additional charges payable by a defaulting purchaser under these Conditions;

f. "sale proceeds " means the net amount due to the seller, being the hammer price of the lot sold less commission at the stated rate, Value Added Tax chargeable and any other amounts due to Fellows by the seller in whatever capacity and however arising;

g. "stated rate" means Fellows' published rates of commission for the time being and Value Added Tax thereon.

2. THE BUYER

a. Bidders are required to register their particulars and satisfy Fellows' security arrangements before entering the auction room to view or bid. The highest such bidder shall be the buyer at the hammer price and any dispute about a bid shall be settled at the auctioneer's absolute discretion. Bidders shall be deemed to act as principals unless there is in force a written acknowledgement by Fellows that a bidder is acting as an agent for a named principal. Once made, no bid may be withdrawn.

b. The right of Fellows to bid on behalf of the seller is expressly reserved.

3. MINIMUM INCREMENT

The auctioneer shall have the right to refuse any bid which does not exceed the previous bid by at least 10% or by such greater proportion as the auctioneer shall in his absolute discretion direct.

4. THE PURCHASE PRICE

On the first £50,000 of the Hammer Price (of any individual lot) the buyer will pay the hammer price and a premium of 20% (excluding VAT) or 24% (inclusive of VAT)

On the excess over £50,000 of the hammer price (of any individual lot), the buyer will pay the hammer price and a premium of 10% (plus VAT) or 12% (inclusive of VAT).

The said premium not being negotiable and payable by ALL buyers. The seller authorises Fellows to retain beneficially the premium payable by buyers.

5. VALUE ADDED TAX

Value Added Tax on the hammer price is imposed on all items affixed with an asterisk thus - *. Value Added Tax is charged at the rate prevailing by law at the date of sale.

6. PAYMENT

a. Immediately a lot is sold buyers shall:

(1) give to Fellows their names and addresses and, if requested proof of identity, and

(2) pay to Fellows the total amount due.

b. Fellows may, at its absolute discretion, agree credit terms with the buyer before an auction under which the buyer will be entitled to take possession of lots up to an agreed value in advance of payment by a stipulated future date of the total amount due. Cheques shall not be acceptable by Fellows (unless Fellows in its absolute discretion permits payment by such method) nor are third party references or credit facilities with other auction houses. If a cheque is tendered Fellows reserves the right to instruct its bank to check the buyer's status and account balance before exercising any discretion. Any credit arrangement must be settled at least 4 days before the relevant sale. Any permitted payment by credit card shall carry an extra charge to the buyer of such percentage of the total amount due as is displayed on the premises.

c. Any payments by a buyer to Fellows may be applied by Fellows towards any sums owing from that buyer to Fellows on any account whatever without regard to any directions of the buyer or his agent, whether express or implied.

7. TITLE AND COLLECTION OF PURCHASES

a. The ownership of any lots purchased shall not pass to the relevant buyer until they have made payment in full to Fellows of the total amount due.

b. Buyers shall at their own risk and expense take away any lots that they have purchased and (subject to 6b) paid for not later than 2 working days following the day of the auction after which they shall be responsible for any removal, storage and insurance charges.

c. No purchase can be claimed or removed until it has been paid for (or the provisions of clause 6b satisfied).

8. REMEDIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO COLLECT PURCHASES

If any lot is not paid for in full and taken away in accordance with these Conditions, or if there is any other breach of these Conditions, Fellows as agent for the seller shall at its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights it may have, be entitled to exercise all or any of the following rights and remedies:

a. to proceed against the buyer for damages for breach of contract;

b. to rescind the sale of that lot and/or any other lots sold by Fellows to the defaulting buyer;

c. to re sell the lot (by auction or private treaty) in which case the defaulting buyer shall be responsible for any resulting deficiency in the total amount due (after crediting any part payment and adding any resale costs). Any surplus so arising shall belong to the seller;

d. to remove, store and insure the lot at the expense of the defaulting buyer and, in the case of storage, either at Fellows' premises or elsewhere;

e. to charge interest at a rate not exceeding 1.5% per month on the total amount due to the extent it remains unpaid for more than 2 working days after the sale;

f. to retain that or any other lot sold to the defaulting buyer until that buyer pays the total amount due;

g. to reject or ignore bids from the defaulting buyer at future auctions or to impose conditions before any such bids shall be accepted;

h. to apply any proceeds of sale of other lots due or in future becoming due to the defaulting buyer towards the settlement of the total amount due and to exercise a lien on any of the buyer's property in Fellows' possession for any purpose.

9. THIRD PARTY LIABILITY

All members of the public on the Auctioneer's premises are there at their own risk and must note the lay-out of the accommodation and security arrangements. Accordingly Fellows shall incur no liability for death or personal injury (except as required by law) or for the safety of the property of persons visiting prior to or at a sale.

9.5 Non UK or EU VAT registered buyers can have most classes of VAT refunded on their purchases - please note that auctioneers are under no obligation to provide VAT refunds, although many will offer this service.  HMRC are the ultimate refunding authority.  VAT refunds are subject to provision of statutory export/import documentation.  HMRC have decreed that VAT on buyer's premium is always payable whether the buyer is domiciled in the UK, the EU or outside the EU or wherever the goods are to be sent.  So auctioneers cannot refund VAT on buyer's premium if the goods are sold under normal VAT rules.

10. COMMISSION BIDS

Whilst prospective buyers are strongly advised to attend the auction and are always responsible for any decision to bid for a particular lot and shall be assumed to have carefully inspected and satisfied themselves as to its condition, Fellows will if so instructed clearly and in writing execute bids on their behalf. Neither Fellows nor its employees or agents shall be responsible for any neglect or default in doing or failing to do so. Where two or more commission bids at the same level are recorded Fellows reserves the right in its absolute discretion to prefer the first bid so made.

10A. Online Bidding

Fellows & Sons offer an online bidding service via the-saleroom.com for bidders who cannot attend the sale.

In completing the bidder registration on www.the-saleroom.com and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Fellows & Sons you:

1.            authorise Fellows & Sons, if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via the-saleroom.com, and

2.            confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to Fellows & Sons through www.the-saleroom.com and agree that Fellows & Sons are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.

PART II & III CONDITIONS

PART II CONDITIONS MAINLY AFFECTING SELLERS

11. WARRANTY OF TITLE AND AVAILABILITY

The seller warrants to Fellows and the buyer that the seller is the true owner of the property consigned or is properly authorised by the true owner to consign it for sale and is able to transfer good and marketable title to the property free from any third party claims.

12. RESERVES

a. The seller shall be entitled to place prior to the auction a reserve on any lot consigned, being the minimum hammer price at which that lot may be sold. Reserves must be reasonable and Fellows may decline to offer goods which in Fellows' opinion would be subject to an unreasonably high reserve (in which case goods carry the storage and insurance charges stipulated in the terms of consignment).

b. A reserve once set cannot be changed except with Fellows' consent.

c. Where a reserve has been placed only Fellows may bid on behalf of the seller.

13. AUTHORITY TO DEDUCT COMMISSION AND EXPENSES AND RETAIN PREMIUM

a. The seller authorises Fellows to deduct commission at the stated rate and all expenses incurred for the buyer's account from the hammer price and acknowledges Fellow's right to retain beneficially the premium paid by the buyer in accordance with these Conditions.

b. The seller authorises Fellows in their discretion to negotiate a sale by private treaty in the case of lots unsold at auction, in which case the same charges will be payable as if such lots had been sold at auction.

14. COLLECTIONS

Fellows do not themselves undertake the collection of goods but may, as the seller's agent, instruct a contractor. Fellows accepts no liability for the actions of such contractor who contracts with the seller direct.

15. WAREHOUSING

Fellows disclaims all liability for goods delivered to their saleroom without sufficient sale instructions, and reserves the right to make a minimum warehousing charge of £1.00 per lot per day. Unsold lots are subject to the same charges if the seller does not remove them within a reasonable time of notification. If not removed within three weeks Fellows reserves the right to sell them and defray charges from any net proceeds of sale or at the seller's expense to consign them to the local authority for disposal.

16. LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE

Fellows holds all goods on their premises and in their custody covered against the risks of fire, burglary and water damage on the scale of charges notified in the terms of consignment and payable by the seller up to the date of any sale and (in Fellows' discretion) the buyer thereafter until collection.

17. AGENCY

Fellows acts as agent only and disclaims any liability for default by the buyer or for paying out the seller before receiving payment by the buyer.

PART III GENERAL CONDITIONS.

18. Fellows act as agent for the seller and as such is not responsible for default by the seller or the buyer. The seller acknowledges that lots are sold subject to the stipulations of these Conditions in their entirety and on the terms of consignment as notified to consignors at the time of the entry of the lot.

19. Subject to the next following Condition concerning deliberate forgeries, any representation or statement by Fellows in any catalogue as to authorship, genuineness, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price is a statement of opinion only. Prospective buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and prospective buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Neither Fellows or its employees or agents nor the seller accept liability for the correctness of such opinions and all conditions and warranties, express, implied or statutory are hereby excluded.

20. Any lot which proves to be a deliberate forgery (as defined) may be returned to Fellows by the buyer within 21 days of the auction provided it is in the same condition as when bought, and is accompanied by particulars identifying it from the relevant catalogue description and a written statement of defects. If Fellows is satisfied from the evidence presented that the lot is a deliberate forgery Fellows shall refund the money paid by the buyer for the lot (but not the amount of any consequential loss, damages, expenses or interest) provided that (1) if the catalogue description reflected the accepted view of scholars and experts as at the date of sale or (2) the buyer personally is not able to transfer a good and marketable title to Fellows, the buyer shall have no rights under this condition.

21. Fellows shall have the right, at its discretion, to refuse admission to its premises or attendance at its auctions by any person.

22. Any indemnity under these Conditions shall extend to all actions, costs, expenses, claims and demands whatsoever suffered or incurred by the person entitled to the benefit of it and Fellows declares itself to be a trustee of the benefit of every such indemnity so far as it is expressed to be for the benefit of its employees and agents.

23. Any notice to any buyer, seller, bidder or viewer may be given by first class mail in which case it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee 48 hours after posting.

24. Special terms may be used in catalogue descriptions in which case they must be interpreted in accordance with any glossary appearing at the commencement of the catalogue.

25. Any indulgence extended to buyers or sellers by Fellows notwithstanding the strict terms of these Conditions or the terms of consignment shall affect the position at the relevant time only and in respect of that particular concession only; in all other respects these Conditions shall be construed as having full force and effect.

26. English law applies to the interpretation of these Conditions.