FAQ's for buyers and sellers

Q: What sort of things can I expect to find in the general action?

A: Entries vary hugely from sale to sale. There can be anything from Booters' Boxes to large pieces of furniture, job lots, even cars and vans. We could have new items, antiques and anything in between - We never know for certain ourselves until we're approached by vendors. There could be individual private lots, or complete deceased estates entered by the trade, local authorities or courts.

Q: When's the general auction held; When can I view the entries for it?

A: The general sale is held every Monday, starting at 6pm. Viewing for the weekly sale is held from 9 - 6 on Sundays and from 10 - 5:45 on the day of the sale. We don't produce catalogues for the general auctions. Any viewing details, auction details and catalogues that differ for any Special, or one-off, sales will be announced on the coming soon page of the site.

Q: Do I need to do anything before I bid?

A: If you don't already have one, you'll need to register and obtain a bidding number (Please be sure to register before the start of the auction). You only need to register once, keeping your bidding number for future use.

Q: I can't attend the auction, can I still bid?

A: Yes. Absentee bids can be placed in one of three ways.
You can either: Call in and complete a commission bid form. Arrange a telephone bid, or E-mail us with details of the lot number (Or detailed lot description.), your bidding number and your maximum bid before Noon on the day of the auction. Our cantact details can be found here.

Q: What methods of payment do you accept?

A: We accept cash, cheques (With a valid guarantee card) along with all major credit and debit cards (with the exception of AMEX) - Minimum spends apply, no cash-back given. We also accept PayPal and PayPal Mobile. Please ask at the desk about PayPal payments before you bid.

Q: When do I collect my purchases?

A: Any outside lots purchased must be paid for and removed by the end of the sale. Lots puchased from inside the auction rooms must be paid for and collected before the close of business on the day following the sale *.

(* Unless prior arrangements have been made with us, any lots not paid for and collected within the stated periods may be either offered to the under-bidder, or re-entered for the next auction.)

Q: I missed the auction, can I buy any lots after the sale?

A: Yes. If a lot has been offered for auction and remains unsold we can quote any reserve and sell it up until the Friday after the sale.

Q: Are there refreshments available during the sale?

A: No, not at present.
However, there is a chip shop close by and Costcutters is just around the corner, stocking a wide range of snacks and drinks. Both close at 9pm.

Q: Do you provide transport for larger items?

A: No, but we can supply you with the details for a helpful, local haulier for you to make your own arrangements.

Q: I can't find an answer to my question, what can I do?

A: Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or if there's something you're not sure about.

Q: What can I enter for auction?

A: Pretty much anything that's legal and saleable. There are extra statutory requirements applicable to portable electrical appliances and soft furishings. Please see the panels on the right for more details.
We will not accept unsuitable items and will withdraw any items that are later found to be not in the condition described, not working as described, illegal, or electrical items that fail a required PAT test.

Please note:
With the exception of "Bygone" items we no longer accept CRT televisions or PC monitors for auction.

Q: When can I bring my items in for entry into your next auction?

A: Basically we accept items for the general sale from 10am on Tuesday mornings and stop when we are full. This varies from week to week, it's often advisable to contact us before you set out with any large items or quantities.
The closing date for entries into any of our Special sales is announced on the Coming soon page and in our newsletters, along with any other relative information.
Outside lots (During the Summer months.) are accepted between 9:30 and 10:30am on the morning of the sale. The only exception being electrical items requiring a PAT test, which we will accept during the previous week.

Q: Do you charge an entry or lotting up fee?

A: No, not for our general sales. We only charge a low commission rate for sold lots, and a small percentage of any reserve set by the vendor against unsold or withdrawn lots. Any electrical testing (PAT) fees are passed on to the vendor at cost to us.
We do make a very small charge for entries into our Special or one-off sales.
Please contact us for further details.

Q: Do I need to bring anything else along with me to enter items?

A: Yes. We will need your vendor number (You'll be issued with one the first time you enter anything for auction with us.). Also, it helps if you have a list of your entries, especially if you have any special instructions, or want to set a reserve against any items.

Q: How do I find out whether my items have sold?

A: If you can't make it to the auction please contact us after lunchtime on the Thursday following the sale, quoting your vendor number.

Q: How many auctions will my items be entered into?

A: We run lots through a maximum of 3 sales, after which any unsold items must be removed from the sale room.
We reserve the right to dispose of any uncollected items and recover any costs incurred and outstanding fees from monies due to the vendor.

Q: When can I collect any money I have due to me?

A: For lots entered into the general sales: We pay out any time from 8th day after the date that your items sold.
For lots sold in one of our Special or catalogued sales: Payments will be available for collection fifteen days after the sale date.
Unfortunately we cannot pay out on sale days due to the availability of small change.

PLEASE NOTE: We will only make payment on production of your vendors number, and only to the person registered against that number. You may be asked for proof of identification.

Q: I want to reserve my item, but I'm not sure what it might be worth. Can you help?

A: Yes. You can bring any smaller items to the sale room for advice, or we can arrange local house visits for larger pieces of furniture, or quantities of items that you want to enter for auction with us.
Alternatively, you could contact John Cox directly for a completely independant assessment.

Q: Do you provide transport for larger items?

A: No, but we can supply you with the details for a helpful, local haulier for you to make your own arrangements.

Q: I can't find an answer to my question, what can I do?

A: Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or if there's something you're not sure about.