How to Buy
How to buy with Hansons Auctioneers
CHANGE IN BUYER’S TERMS (EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST APRIL) SEE BELOW:
Auction viewing
Viewing is available by appointment ONLY. If there is an item you would like to view, please contact [email protected].
Online bidding
Hansons Auctioneers offers live online bidding through three online auction platforms, allowing you to browse catalogues, leave absentee bids and bid live from anywhere in the world.
Hansons Live
Bid directly through our dedicated online bidding platform, Hansons Live.
Visit www.hansonslive.co.uk and select Create Account to register. Once registered, you can browse our catalogues, leave advance bids and bid live during the auction.
Online bidding surcharge: 2% of the hammer price.
The Saleroom
Our auctions are also available through www.the-saleroom.com.
Online bidding surcharge: 5% + VAT of the hammer price.
Easy Live Auction
From the Music Sale on 10th June onwards, our auctions will also be available through www.easyliveauction.com.
Online bidding surcharge: There are two registration options available:
- Free Registration: Pay 3% + VAT of the hammer price on successful purchases
- Flat Fee Registration: Pay a one-off fee (typically £3 + VAT) for the online bidding service. This fee is charged directly by Easy Live Auction to your registered payment card and is payable regardless of whether you successfully purchase a lot
Before You Bid
We recommend registering and obtaining bidding approval before the auction day to avoid any delays. If you require assistance with online bidding, please contact our team who will be happy to help.
Absentee bid
As well as online bidding, you are welcome to leave a commission bid with us and the auctioneer will bid on your behalf against other bidders.
PLEASE NOTE: Hansons advise that the auctioneer’s decision and book is final
Buyers can also bid by telephone. On the day of the auction, a member of our team will contact you shortly before the lot appears for sale, they will then act on your behalf in the saleroom, bidding on your instruction. We advise that telephone bids should be placed as far in advance as possible, as this is a first-come, first-served service.
Commission and telephone bids can be arranged by contacting the auction centre where the sale is being held.
How do I bid in a timed auction
Our timed auctions are currently only available on www.the-saleroom.com and are online auctions ONLY – there is no auctioneer. It is not possible to bid by telephone or leave a commission bid directly with Hansons Auctioneers. Commission bids can be left via the-saleroom.com.
Condition Reports/Image Requests
We highly recommend that potential bidders gather as much information as possible regarding a lot before placing a bid. We offer an image and condition report service by telephone and email. Please note condition reports are provided as a complimentary service and only reflect the opinion of Hansons Auctioneers and are NOT a statement of fact. Additionally, a condition report only details flaws or restorations and does not take into account any issue(s) consistent and commensurate with age. Furthermore, images provided as part of the condition report and item description form part of this opinion and they should be studied with care. When you have decided which lot(s) you would like to receive condition reports on, please contact us.
What is the buyer’s premium and how much will I pay?
Purchases are subject to a buyer’s premium of 28% plus VAT (28% plus VAT for London) (subject to a minimum lot charge of £6 + VAT) When you successfully bid on any lot, the price you pay will be the hammer price (your final bid) plus the buyer’s premium/VAT. The buyer’s premium for the purchase of motor vehicles is 10% + VAT, excluding motorbikes. Please see www.hansonsclassics.com for up to date buyer’s premium rates for Cars, Motorbikes and Automobilia.
Fee Calculator
If you buy a work of art by a living artist or an artist who has died in the last 70 years, which costs more than £1,000, you will have to pay a royalty relating to the Artists Resale Right Regulations 2006.
The current royalty charge for qualifying items over £1,000 are:
- Up to £50,000 – 4%
- £50,000.01 to £200,000 – 3%
- £200,000.01 to £350,000 – 1%
- £350,000.01 to £500,000 – 0.5%
- Exceeding £500,000 – 0.25%.
How do I pay for an item?
After the auction ends, you will receive an email containing your email invoice and a direct link to complete payment using a credit, debit card, or bank transfer.
Please note: We do take payments over the phone up to £500.00 BUT we do not take cash.
After-sale offers
Where an item remains unsold on auction day, should a reasonable offer be made during the week following the sale, Hansons reserves the right, in their position as agents, to accept on the vendor’s behalf. All such sales incur the same charges as if the Lot had been sold at Auction.
Post-sale terms
On the fall of the hammer, the object becomes the purchaser's responsibility. Items are insured for up to one week only after the sale, whilst on our premises. After one week Hansons accept no responsibility for any damage or loss following this period. The buyer needs to ensure that their own insurance covers this.
Collection of purchased items - Appointment ONLY
Please contact the relevant saleroom to book a collection slot for your purchased items.
Please note: If a courier, family member or friend is collecting on behalf of the buyer, Hansons needs authority from the buyer before the goods are released.
All Buyers and Couriers must check their purchases prior to departure from the auction house. Hansons will accept no claims for loss or damage thereafter.
Timely collection of items is imperative as storage space is limited. Hansons reserve the right to re-sell (on behalf of the buyer) any items that have been paid for but not collected within one month - standard terms will apply.
Furniture Lots must be paid for and collected within one week after the furniture sale otherwise Hansons reserve the right to re-sell in the next appropriate sale.
Postage and Collection
Please click here to be taken to our Postage and Collection page.
Customs Tax and VAT
Please be aware that VAT under the margin scheme is payable, we are unable to refund the same for overseas buyers additional customs taxes may be payable both by a buyer or potential seller. Hansons are not responsible for any additional customs taxes. Anyone sending items from overseas to Hansons to be commissioned for sale or valuation may incur customs taxes. This tax also applies to buyers if we despatch lots won overseas.
Anti-Money Laundering
Hansons Auctioneers has an AML programme to prevent money laundering. Staff are trained to look for unusual transactions, and to take any necessary steps to check and verify our clients. Please note that you may be asked to provide two forms of identification in order that we are compliant with Money Laundering Regulations.