Buying at Auction

Auctions are more fun than you think! so please don't feel intimidated.

Our staff are always on hand to help you, from information on Lots to advice on bidding. If you are unable to attend the Auction we have the facility to ring you to enable you to bid or, if you prefer, we can accept your written commission bids. Please ask our staff for details of this service.

Registering

We operate a computer system where each buyer is registered and supplied with a bidding number. If you wish to bid for a Lot please register and obtain a bidding number by either attending the Auction, emailling us or by telephoning us on 01580 715857.

Commission Rates

Bentley’s Fine Art Auctioneers charge a buyer’s commission rate of 15% (plus VAT at the current rate on the commission).

Clearance after Auction

We would appreciate it if customers would settle their accounts and clear their purchases by the Friday following an auction. We pay our vendors (sellers) 10 days after each Auction and consequently we require your funds to enable us to do this promptly.

Condition Reports

Please note that Bentley’s Fine Art Auctioneers does not supply ‘Condition Reports’. We are however, quite prepared to send photographs to enable you to make an evaluation of the item, but we do not have the equipment to study restoration techniques or covered damage. We can only relay what can be seen by the naked eye. If you need to know the precise condition of any item in a forthcoming auction we strongly recommend you either view the item yourself or delegate someone to view it for you.

Selling at Auction

As one of Kent’s leading country auction houses, we hold a regular monthly sales of antique furniture, fine art, porcelain and chattels, silver and jewellery (Auction Calender for more information).

If requested, our representative will arrange to inspect your objects for sale (from whole house contents to individual objects). Alternatively, you may bring the objects to us at our premises which are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm. Please contact us by emailing or telephoning us on 01580 715857. We will be happy to discuss the value of your objects with no obligation.

We charge a commission on the sale (hammer) price of the object plus a £1.00 per Lot Lottage Fee. Compulsary Insurance cover is charged at 1% and VAT is payable on our commission charges.

Please contact us if you require further information on our commission rates.

Bentley’s Fine Art Auctioneers - Conditions of Sale

Any person on the auctioneers’ premises before, during or after the sale shall be deemed to be there at his own risk. Such persons shall have no claim against the auctioneers in respect of any injury sustained or any accident which may occur from any cause whatsoever, subject always to the provisions of the Unfair Contracts Terms Act 1977. All goods are sold with all faults and errors of description. All goods are sold and dealt with by the auctioneers on the instructions of their client or clients. The auctioneers will not be answerable for any errors in description, quality, weight or measurement or otherwise, of any of the sold goods, all of which matters must be settled exclusively and solely between the said client or clients and the purchasers of such goods concerned. The highest bidder acceptable to the auctioneer shall be the buyer. The auctioneer shall have absolute discretion to settle any dispute which arises and to refuse bids or to advance the bidding as seen fit. Any items damaged or broken accidentally or otherwise during viewing days or auction days must be paid for at the valuation set by the auctioneer. Payment can be made by cash, bank certified cheques (with guarantee card), bankers draft, cheque with letter from your bank guaranteeing payment, building society, or credit card (buyer must be prepared to pay 18.5% commission in the event of paying by a card). Any new buyers paying by cheque must be prepared for the cheque to clear before taking possession of the goods from the auctioneers. All items must be removed at the buyer’s risk within three days (unless other arrangements have been made with the auctioneer). All unsold items must be removed by the vendor within three working days (unless the auctioneer has agreed to re-entry of the items) otherwise the items will be deemed to be uninsured and will remain on the premises at the vendor’s risk and disposed of after 8 weeks if not collected. The auctioneers will, on the buyers written instructions, execute bids on their behalf, but neither the auctioneer nor his employees or agents shall be liable for any neglect in doing so or failure to do so. The buyer shall pay a fee of 15% (18.5% in the case of paying by a credit card) (plus VAT on the 15% or 18.5%) to the auctioneer when purchasing goods from auction. Our VAT Registration No. is 683 4311 35. Bentley’s Fine Art Auctioneers does not supply ‘Condition Reports’. We are quite prepared to send photographs to enable you to make an evaluation of the item, but we do not have the equipment to study restoration techniques or covered damage – we can only relay what can be seen by the naked eye. If you require to know the detailed condition of any item in a forthcoming auction, please either view the item yourself or delegate someone to view it for you. If items that have been catalogued are withdrawn by the vendor before an auction, a charge of 10% of the reserve or lower estimate will be made to cover administration costs.