GEORGE KIDNER auctioneers and valuers

Buying at auction

The Catalogue
Catalogues are produced for each sale, and selected antique and specalist catalogues are available by subscription. Alternatively catalogues can be viewed online, usually approximately three weeks in advance in the case of selected antique and specialist sales and three days in advance in the case of general sales. You can subscribe to receive email alerts when selected antique or specialist catalogues become available. 

Condition Reports
The condition of each lot is not stated in the catalogue. Where the description makes some reference to the condition of an item, this should not be relied upon as exhaustive. We are, however, happy to provide a condition report for any lot, without charge, provided that sufficient notice is given. To request a condition report, simply click on the relevant button in the online catalogue. Condition reports are provided as a service to clients. Whilst every care is taken in their preparation, they should be seen as a general indication of condition visible to the naked eye. Where appropriate background information and provenance with be provided but examinations involving specialist equipment cannot be carried out. A condition report should not be seen as a substitute for viewing in person.

We do not offer to provide condition reports for lots in the general sales.

Viewing
All sales may be viewed on the preceding day between 9.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. and, usually, on the morning of the sale. Some sales have extended viewing times - please check the auction calendar for details.

Digital Images
All lots in the selected antique and specialised sales are illustrated on this website. We are happy to provide additional digital images, by email, of any lot in such an auction, where practicable and with sufficient notice. There is no charge for this service.

Bidding in Person
If you wish to bid at the sale, you will need a bidding number. This can be obtained by completing a Buyer's Registration form and handing it in at reception.

Absentee Bidding
If you are unable to attend the sale, you can instruct us to bid on your behalf: simply click on the ‘Bid Now' button next to any lot in the online catalogue. Alternatively, you may complete a Commission Bidding form and hand it in at (or post/fax it to) the saleroom. All commission bids must be received by 9.30 a.m. on the day of the sale. They will be executed as cheaply as possible, bearing in mind any reserve prices or other bids. We (George Kidner Ltd) take no responsibility for failure to execute bids for any reason.

Online bidding
An online bidding is available (not for the fornightly Furniture and Effects auctions) at www.easyliveauction.com. Please note that easyliveauction.com is a third party, who may make a separate charge. Please see our Conditions of Business.

Buyer's Premium
A premium of 17.5% (+VAT) will be added to the hammer price of all lots purchased.

Payment
You must pay for your purchases within two days following the sale. We accept cash and all major debit and credit cards (there is no additional charge except for American Express cards). Cheques are not accepted as current payment; if you wish to pay by cheque it must be on the understanding that goods will only be released by us when the funds are secure in our account.

Collection
Successful bidders should collect their lots as soon as possible after the sale, and by noon the following day at the latest. Should this not be possible you must inform us of the fact. We can provide details of carriers if required.

Firearms
Lots marked ‡ in the catalogue (or in any other way identified as controlled firearms) may only be bid for and/or purchased by holders of Section 1 or Section 2 firearms certificates (as indicated) or by Registered Firearms Dealers. In the case of Section 1 firearms the certificate must include specific permission for the calibre/type in question. Firearms are not routinely stripped and serviced/inspected prior to sale, and purchasers must take responsibility for ensuring that they are in serviceable condition before attempting to use them.

Un-licenced individuals who successfully bid for a controlled firearm will not be permitted to obtain title to, or gain physical possession of, said firearm; but will be liable for any monetary loss to the vendor and The Auctioneers that may result from such an situation.

Third Reich Items
Please note that, owing to the large number of reproduction Third Reich and Imperial German items on the market, we can give no guarantee as to the authenticity of any such items. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves in this regard, before bidding.

VAT
Lots which are daggered (†) in the catalogue are subject to VAT on both the hammer price and the buyer's premium. Lots which are marked ‡ or with the letters 'ID' have been imported from outside the EU to be sold under temporary import rules. When released to buyers within the EU, the buyer will become the importer and must pay VAT at the rate of 5% on the hammer price.