Fine Arts & Collectibles

Grand Auction House conducts business with bidders, buyers, and all those present in the auction room prior to or in connection with a sale. The following are the General Conditions and other applicable terms, conditions, and notices.

 

1. Definitions

 

In these Conditions:

 

(a) "auctioneer" refers to Grand Auction House as the authorized auctioneer, as appropriate;

 

(b) "GAH" refers to Grand Auction House.

 

(c) "deliberate forgery" means an imitation created with the intent to deceive regarding its authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture, or source. It is unequivocally described in the catalogue as the work of a particular creator, but its value at the time of the sale is significantly lower than if it had been as described;

 

(d) "hammer price" signifies the highest bid (at or above any reserve) when the auctioneer brings down the hammer;

 

(e) "terms of consignment" represent the agreed-upon terms and commission rates on which Grand Auction House accepts instructions from sellers or their agents;

 

(f) "total amount due" includes the hammer price of the sold lot, any applicable premium, VAT charges, and additional charges payable by a defaulting buyer under these Conditions;

 

(g) "sale proceeds" denote the net amount due to the seller, calculated as the hammer price of the sold lot minus the commission, VAT charges, and any other amounts owed to us by the seller.

 

2. Bidding Procedures and Conduct of the Auction

 

(a) Bidders must register their details before bidding and comply with any security arrangements before entering the auction room. Failure to provide requested identification may result in bidding permission being denied.

 

(b) The auctioneer retains the discretion to refuse any bid, withdraw any lot, re-offer a lot for sale (including after the hammer falls) in case of errors or disputes, and take appropriate actions.

 

(c) The contract between the buyer and seller is formed when the auctioneer's hammer falls, making the buyer liable to pay the purchase price.

 

(d) These conditions also apply to any post-auction sales of lots originally offered at the auction.

 

(e) We reserve the right to bid on behalf of the seller up to the amount of any reserve and to refuse any bid.

 

(f) Bidding via our website "grandauctionhouse.com," as well as through "easyliveAuction.com,"the-saleroom.com,” "bidsquare.com," or “bidspirit.com” follows the same procedures and conduct as in-room bidding. Bidders participating online must register in advance and comreply with the specified requirements.

 

3. Increments

 

Bidding increments are determined at the sole discretion of the auctioneer.

 

4. The Purchase Price

 

The buyer is responsible for paying the hammer price, in addition to a 22% premium + VAT. If the purchase is made through a third-party platform, you must adhere to their specific terms and conditions, as well as any associated fees, which are independent of our auction house.

 

5. VAT

 

Value Added Tax is imposed by law on items marked with an asterisk or double asterisk. The applicable VAT rate prevailing at the sale date is charged to buyers of relevant lots.

 

In our catalogue, you may find items marked with an asterisk * or double asterisk **, signifying that VAT is applicable to the buyer on both the hammer price and the buyer's premium. The VAT rate is either the standard rate (currently 20%) or a reduced rate (currently 5%), as mandated by the specific legal requirements pertaining to each respective lot.

 

6. Payment

 

(a) Upon the sale of a lot, you must:

 

1. provide proof of identity upon request, and

 

2. make payment for the total amount due in cash, debit, credit card, bank transfer, or another agreed-upon method.

 

3. to pay within 15 days of sale

 

(b) Any payments made by you may be allocated towards any outstanding sums owed to us, regardless of specific instructions from you or your agent.

 

1. Additional bidding surcharges related to third-party bidding platforms must be paid directly to GAH. Failure to do so may result in a delay in releasing goods.

 

7. Title and Collection of Purchases

 

(a) Ownership of any purchased lots transfers to you only upon full payment of the total amount due.

 

1. You must collect any purchased and paid lots at your own risk and expense within 15 working days following the auction day.
2. After 15 working days you will incur £5/ day charge for storage.

 

(b) No purchase can be claimed or removed until it has been fully paid for and payment has cleared.

 

(c) Invoices cannot be split, and title cannot be transferred to other individuals. Invoices must be paid in full before lots can be removed.

 

(d) Purchased lots must be collected within the specified time as stated in the Terms & Conditions. Storage charges may apply thereafter. Purchased lots are at the buyer's risk, and it is their sole responsibility to ensure appropriate insurance coverage. Until the risk passes, Grand Auction House will compensate the buyer for any loss or damage up to the maximum purchase price paid.

 

8. Remedies for Non-Payment or Failure to Collect Purchases

 

(a) In case of non-payment for a lot or failure to collect purchases in accordance with these Conditions or any other breach of these Conditions, we, as the agent for the seller and on our own behalf, reserve the right to exercise one or more of the following rights and remedies at our absolute discretion:

 

1. (b) Proceed against you for damages resulting from breach of contract;

 

2. (c) Rescind the sale of the lot in question and/or any other lots sold to you;

 

3. (d) Resell the lot (via auction or private treaty), with any resulting deficiency in the total amount due (after crediting any partial payment and adding resale costs) being your responsibility.

 

4. (e) Remove, store, and insure the lot at your expense. In the case of storage, it may be done either at our premises or elsewhere.

 

5. (f) Charge interest at a rate not exceeding 1.5% per month on the outstanding total amount due if it remains unpaid for more than 15 days after the sale;

 

6. (g) Retain the lot or any other lots sold to you until the total amount due is fully paid;

 

7. (h) Reject or ignore bids from you or your agent at future auctions or impose conditions before accepting any such bids;

 

8. Apply any proceeds from the sale of other lots due or becoming due to you toward settling the total amount due and exercise a lien (the right to retain possession of) any of your property in our possession until the debt is satisfied.

 

(b) We shall only pursue these rights and remedies to the extent reasonably necessary to recover appropriate compensation for breach of these conditions, acting as the agent for the seller and on our own behalf.

 

9. Third Party Liability

 

All members of the public visiting our premises do so at their own risk and must take note of the premises' layout and security arrangements. Therefore, neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall be held liable for death, personal injury (except as required by law due to our negligence), or the safety of visitors' property prior to or during a sale.

 

10. Commission, Telephone Bids, and Live Online Bidding

 

Prospective buyers are strongly advised to attend the auction and are responsible for deciding whether to bid on a specific lot. They are assumed to have carefully inspected and satisfied themselves with the lot's condition. However, we will execute bids on behalf of prospective buyers if clearly instructed in writing.

 

(a) Lots will be purchased by the auctioneer on behalf of the commission bidder for the lowest price allowed by other bids and/or reserves, up to and including the maximum bid amount recorded. We cannot be held responsible for neglect or failure to execute commission bids, whether through the auctioneer or online bidding software if a bidding slip has been completed incorrectly. Commission bidders should ensure that the correct lot number(s) and price(s) are recorded on their bidding forms.

 

(b) In case of multiple commission bids at the same level, we reserve the right, at our absolute discretion, to give preference to the first bid received.

 

(c) Telephone Bids: Individuals unable to attend the auction may request to bid on a specific lot by telephone. This facility is available only through prior arrangement with the Auctioneers. We cannot be held responsible for neglect or failure to execute telephone bids.

 

(d) Live Online Bidding:

 

1. Grand Auction House, EasyliveAuction, The-Saleroom, Bidsquare and Bidspirit provide an online bidding service. By participating, the buyer agrees to the conditions of sale set forth by each platform.

 

2. If a debit or credit card has been used to register, the buyer also authorizes Grand Auction House to charge the provided debit or credit card for the partial or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased via online bidding platforms.

 

3. Please note that there is no additional surcharge for any lots purchased via Grand Auction House LIVE BIDDING through commission bidding only.

 

4. Grand Auction House offers online bidding services as a convenience to clients. However, neither Grand Auction House nor the seller will be held responsible for errors during or after the sale, or failures to execute bids (live or commission bids) placed on the internet or mobile devices. This includes errors or failures caused by:
   1. Loss of connection to the online auction.
   2. Breakdown or issues with the online bidding software or website service provider.
   3. Breakdown or issues with internet connection, computers, mobile devices, or systems.

 

5. By accessing GAH LIVE BIDDING and using the provided software, the buyer agrees to abide by the Website Terms and Conditions governing the use of our websites. Please familiarize yourself with these terms before accessing our websites.

 

(e) Other Platforms and Their Fees:

 

Please note that when participating in our auctions through partnering platforms such as "easyliveauction", "The-Saleroom", “Bidsquare” and “Bidspirit” each platform may apply its own fees and separate terms and conditions for buying goods. Buyers should familiarize themselves with the specific fee structures and conditions of each platform before engaging in bidding.

 

Grand Auction House is not responsible for any fees, charges, or disputes arising from transactions conducted on these external platforms. Any inquiries or concerns related to purchases made through partnering platforms should be directed to the respective platform's customer support.

 

We encourage all buyers to carefully review and understand the terms of each partnering platform to ensure a smooth and satisfactory bidding experience.

 

Please note that live auctions are not held in the market premises. All bidding is conducted online through "grandauctionhouse.com," "easyliveAuction.com,” "the-saleroom.com,” “bidsquare.com” and “bidspirit.com”

 

11. Warranty of Title and Availability

 

The seller warrants to the auctioneer and the buyer that they are the true owner of the consigned property or are properly authorized by the true owner to sell it. They can transfer good and marketable title to the property free from any third-party claims. Grand Auction House and the seller make no representations or warranties regarding whether any lot is subject to copyright or if the buyer acquires copyright in any lot.

 

12. Agency

 

The auctioneer acts as an agent only and disclaims responsibility for defaults by sellers or buyers.

 

13. Terms of Sale

 

The seller acknowledges that lots are sold subject to these Conditions in their entirety and the Terms of Consignment as communicated to the consignor upon entry of the lot.

 

14. Description and Conditions

 

(a) The descriptions of lots provided are for indicative purposes only and should not be considered as an exact representation of the lot. It may be impractical to conduct exhaustive due diligence on each item. We strongly encourage prospective buyers to make use of the opportunities to view and inspect lots before the sale, or consult with independent experts, to satisfy themselves regarding the accuracy of any lot description. Buyers can arrange appointments to view lots listed in online-only auctions. Prospective buyers should be aware that any representations or statements made by us concerning authorship, genuineness, origin, date, age, provenance, condition, or estimated selling price are expressions of opinion. It is important to note that we, the auctioneer, our employees, and agents, along with the seller, accept no liability for the accuracy of these opinions. All conditions and warranties, whether express, implied, or statutory, pertaining to the description, condition, or quality of lots, are hereby excluded.

 

(b) Condition Reports: Reports on the condition of any lot are offered as statements of opinion and not as statements of fact. Grand Auction House is not liable for any errors or omissions in these reports. Buyers must satisfy themselves with the condition of any lot before bidding. Grand Auction House will not be held responsible for any damage or defect not notified to the buyer. Catalogue illustrations are for guidance only and do not convey full information about the actual condition of lots.

 

(c) The term "(a/f)" indicates that a lot is sold "as found." It is used for guidance purposes and signifies, in our opinion, significant damage or repair to an item. The absence of this term does not imply the absence of significant damage or repair.

 

(d) The estimates provided are the valuer's considered opinion of the items' value. It's important to note that these estimates are intended as guidelines only. Auction prices can inherently vary, and items may sell either below or above the estimated values. Buyers should use the estimates as a reference while keeping in mind the natural fluctuations in auction prices.

 

15. Law and Jurisdiction

 

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with English law. Disputes arising in connection with these Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

16. Severability

 

If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

17. Entire Agreement

 

These Terms and Conditions, together with any additional terms, conditions, and notices referred to, constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter herein and supersedes any previous agreements, arrangements, or understandings.

 

Please carefully read and understand these Terms and Conditions before participating in any auction conducted by Grand Auction House. By registering as a bidder, attending the auction, placing a bid, or purchasing a lot, you agree to be bound by these Conditions.