Frequently Asked Questions
Consigning FAQ
How do I consign an item or collection for auction?
We actively seek consignments in all collecting areas for inclusion in upcoming sales. If you have property that you wish to sell, be it a single item, a complete collection or an entire estate, please review the process outline below:
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Send us photos of your items. Include as much pertinent information regarding the items, as well as your contact information, and any special considerations (i.e., relocating deadlines, estate executive, etc). Please note, we ask that you provide your name and phone number so that a member of our staff may contact you regarding your e-mail. For immediate assistance, call us at 404.869.2478.
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After a member of the consignment department evaluates the photos, which may include auction estimates and market value, an appointment will be scheduled to bring the items in.
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We may evaluate the items further once they arrive at the gallery to determine whether the auction market values are accurate. From there, we will suggest an upcoming auction that suits the category or style of your item(s). Furthermore, the consignment agreement will be explained during your meeting.
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Once an item has been accepted as a consignment, we will photograph, research, catalog, and provide all marketing of the items.
I e-mailed photos and have not received a response. What should I do?
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Depending on where we are in the auction cycle, our consignment department switches gears to be full-time cataloguers. At times, it may take several days for us to catch up with the inquiries. Please be patient, for we strive to answer every e-mail as quickly as possible. If it has been more than a week, feel free to give us a call to confirm whether we received your e-mail.
What is your commission? Can I add reserves to my items?
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Though we generally have a standard commission structure, it may or may not be applicable to your consignment. Many variables are taken into account when we handle your consignment, which includes, but is not limited to: the type of items, number of items, the auction market value of items, length of time to catalog rare or exceptional items, and which party will transport items. With these factors in mind, we will be able to answer this question more appropriately at an initial meeting.
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Consignors may request reserves for multiple reasons--sentimental value, amount originally purchased for, etc. Typically, reserves reduce the chances of an item selling at auction, which is not favorable for anyone. However, we understand these reasons and work with you to facilitate your needs.
How do I find out if my item(s) sold? And if my item(s) sold, how and when do I receive payment?
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We upload the prices realized post-auction to our main website under "Past Sales" for all lots, or if you prefer an auction summary of your consignments, please send us an e-mail by clicking here.
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Consignors are paid 30 days after the completion of an auction via check, which is mailed to the address provided by you in your agreement.
What happens to my item(s) if they do not sell?
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Generally, there are post-auction offers on unsold lots, so we ask consignors to pick-up unsold items 30 days after an auction. We may choose to re-sell an item at your request, or if we feel that the item has good marketability.
Buying FAQs
How can I participate in your auction?
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We offer our customers the power of choice in bidding experience: In-person at our gallery, live online during the sale through LiveAuctioneers.com, BidSquare.com, & Invaluable.com, or by phone, and absentee.
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With these options available, we STRONGLY advise against leaving bids for the same item on more than one medium. Doing so will result in bidding against yourself, which we cannot be held responsible for.
What is the difference between leaving an absentee bid on your catalog versus LiveAuctioneers/Invaluable/Bidsquare?
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Bids that are left on our website are executed by a designated individual. Absentee bids left online are executed through the online platform from a computer operator. There is a difference in buyer's premium as well--it is higher through one of the three live bidding websites. Please see Online Bidding for more information.
Do you ship items?
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Unfortunately, we do not handle shipping in house. We do, however, have a list of recommended shipping and delivery companies for your reference. Our list is only a suggestion based off of companies we have worked with in the past and find to be well-versed in handling fine art and antiques; you are more than welcome to select a company of your choice outside of this list. We advise contacting multiple agencies to receive the most competitive quote. Please see our Shipping Information page for more FAQs.
How do I pay for my invoice?
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You may pay by credit card (online or via fax) check, cash, and wire transfer. Sorry, but we do not accept PayPal at this time. Please view our Payment page for more information.
Why was my bid not accepted? I left a bid online for the amount sold or higher.
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To see what happened to your bids on a lot in our sale, we recommend that you log into your account and take a look at the lot’s bid history. The bid history displays all the bids submitted for a lot. It also shows the time each bid was submitted.
Follow these steps to view your bid history:
1. Go to the website where you left your bid and log in.
2. Find the lot and click on Show Bid History.
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Please note: Final determination of the winning bidder, whether it is a floor bidder or internet bidder (absentee or live), is solely at the discretion of the auctioneer.
I purchased an item in error/the item arrived and it is not what I wanted. Do I have to pay for it?
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Generally, yes. We ask all buyers, prior to bidding, to carefully read our Terms & Conditions of Sale, consult the additional photos provided and ask all pertinent questions (i.e. condition, size, shipping, etc.). However, if an issue arises and it is due to an error by us, we would be glad to help find a resolution.