We aim to make buying and selling though Franklin Browns Auctioneers & Valuers a simple and enjoyable process. Below you will find some useful information to help you but if you are unsure of any aspect then please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff for assistance.

Buyer's premium

A buyer's premium of 15% of the hammer price is charged on all lots purchased at the auction, VAT is payable on the buyer's premium.

Bidding Procedures

There are four easy methods of bidding with Franklin Browns:

1. Attending the sale & bidding in person

After registration you will be given a paddle or bidder number. The Auctioneer will call out the lot number and bidding shall commence with pre-set increments, should you wish to bid you must raise your paddle and continue bidding until the point where you are the highest bidder or you decide to stop, if successful the Auctioneer will note down your paddle number. In the case of a dispute in regard to price or buyer then this must be drawn to the Auctioneer's attention prior to the offering of the next lot.

2. Leaving a commission bid

If you are unable to attend the auction then you can instruct Franklin Browns to bid on your behalf. This is known as a Commission Bid and it is a free and confidential service. We accept Commission bids either by written instruction with the completion of a Commission bid form, telephone or email. We shall then bid on your behalf up to the maximum level that you have set. All bids are dependent upon bidding activity in the room, any other commission bids left or reserves, etc. Lots will be purchased as cheaply as possible in line with room activity. In the event that two commission bids have been left for the same account, then priority will be given to the earliest bid received.

3. Telephone bidding

With prior arrangement a telephone bid can be arranged with a telephone line booked on single or multiple lots. A member of stall shall call you from the Saleroom just before your lot number is offered for sale and you can then instruct us on a live telephone line to bid or to stop on your behalf. We always ask that you leave us a main telephone number and a back up number in case of difficulties contacting you. It is always recommended that a covering bid be left in the unfortunate event that we are unable to make contact. All telephone lines must be booked with us no later than 9.45am on the morning of the sale.

4. Online Bidding

Additionally all of our sales allow buyers the opportunity to bid from the comfort of their own home using our live online bidding service which is available with www.the-saleroom.com. You will need to register your details with them prior to bidding. Please note that they will charge an additional 4.95% commission charge plus VAT for their service. We shall apply their online buyer's premium / commission charge to you invoice.

All bidders must satisfy themselves that the condition of any lot is to their satisfaction before they place a bid.

Payment

Payment is due directly following the auction in Pounds Sterling. We accept cash, cheques or debit cards only if you are present in the saleroom. WE CANNOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS.

Online & overseas buyers

If you are not present at the Sale then the only way that you can pay is by a bank transfer. Our bank account details will be sent to you with your invoice directly following the sale. Please note that when paying by bank transfer then you will need to quote your paddle or bidding number as a reference.
When paying by direct bank transfer from a non UK account overseas buyers must elect to pay our bank charges. Lots cannot be released until the full invoice total is settled.

Collection and storage

It is advised that payment is made immediately and that collection is swift as all goods are the buyer's responsibility from the point of sale.

Once you have paid or your funds have cleared and your goods are ready for collection you must give a copy of your receipt to a member of staff who will sign out your goods. It is advised to bring all relevant packaging and boxes that you will need to secure and carry your purchases.

Local buyers must collect their goods by 5pm on Tuesday following each sale (3 days after the sale) whilst online and international buyers MUST arrange for collection by 5pm on the Wednesday following each sale (4 days after the sale). Thereafter a DAILY storage charge of £1 for smaller items and £5 for furniture and larger items will be applied.

We are open until 3pm on Saturday sale days for collection and again from Monday to Wednesday from 9.30am to 5.00pm or by special arrangement if need be.

Packing & Shipping

We do offer a limited packing service within the UK and at the Auctioneer's sole discretion. As we are restricted to what can be included in this service, it is advised that you check with the office before bidding. For instance we can only pack single lot items with a value below £500 and we DO NOT post glazed paintings or mirrors, extremely fragile items to include pottery, porcelain and glass, arms and weaponry, or heavy and large sized goods.

Our service charge for posting and packing starts at £15.00 for small items (approx. shoe box size - using Royal Mail Special Delivery) and £20.00 plus VAT for larger items or items over 2kgs (using Parcel Force 48).

However all clients must agree to absolve Franklin Browns Auctioneers & Valuers against any loss or damage that may occur whilst using Royal Mail or Parcel Force Services. All liabilities are with the buyer.

For the majority of purchases (under 30kg) we confidently recommend Mailboxes for the shipping of your items. They collect, pack and dispatch your items in the most cost effective way, to UK and International Addresses. They can be contacted on 0131 556 6226. Email info@mbeedinburgh.com

Alternatively customers can contact Edinburgh East Pack and Send on 0131 201 2244 or email edinburgheast@packsend.co.uk

For paintings and fine art we recommend Aardvark Art Services and they can be contacted on 01253 794673. Email info@aardvarkartservices.com

We are able to recommend a number of other national carriers, please call us directly if you do require assistance.

We can arrange for the delivery of furniture and larger items to the local area, please contact the office for a quote.

The Auction

The Auction is governed by the Condition of Sale. These apply to all and any aspect of the relationship between Franklin Browns and actual and prospective bidders. They can be viewed on our website and on www.the-saleroom.com, it is the responsibility of the bidder to read these carefully before bidding. Please note that they can be amended by way of notice as posted on our website or by way of an announcement made by the Auctioneer.

Catalogues, viewing & condition reports

Catalogues are available for each sale; they cost £2 and can be purchased from the office on viewing and sale days. Within the catalogue each lot is given a brief description and estimates are supplied but please note that the estimates are guidelines only and lots can sell above or below the guideline prices. The guide prices printed in the auction catalogue do not include buyer's premium or VAT. Additionally each lot is photographed with an image available for viewing on our website, usually on the Wednesday prior to the sale.

Public viewing takes place for two days prior to an auction. Typically on a Thursday from 12.00 noon - 5.00pm and on Friday from 9.30am - 5.00pm. If you are unable to make these times and need to view then please just give us a call and we shall try our best to accommodate.

Condition reports

During the viewing days prospective buyers are invited and encouraged to inspect the lots and they must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description. All lots are sold as seen and their condition cannot be guaranteed. Sometimes prospective buyers require further information and detail about lots, and we are happy to supply this along with extra photographs, etc. Whilst we endeavour to provide accurate statements we are unable to carry out exhaustive condition reports and we do not accept liability for the correctness of such opinions.

Prospective buyers are given ample opportunity to view and inspect lots and to ask for further information as required. They must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description we apply to a lot. Inevitably, our descriptions and attributions are statements of opinion, in regard to, inter alia, matters of authorship, genuineness, signatures, style, origin, date, age, provenance, condition, value and estimated selling price. At our absolute discretion we will refer to any damage on a lot as a/f (at fault) in the catalogue.

Ultimately prospective buyers are strongly recommended to consult a second opinion prior to making significant purchases.

If you require a condition report prior to the auction then please call us or email us no later than 4pm on the evening prior to sale day.

Artist Resale Rights (ARR)

(ARR) indicates works which may be subject to the Droit de Suite or Artist's Resale Right, which took effect in the UK on 14th February 2006. In accordance with legislation we are required to collect a Royalty for all qualifying works of art. This legislation was updated in January 2012 to include living artists and artists who have died in the last seventy years. This Royalty will be charged to the Buyer on the hammer price and in addition to the buyer's premium / commission rate. The Royalty rate only applies to works of art where the hammer price exceeds €1,000 (Euros). The rate is applied at 4% on works selling for €1,000 and up to €50,000. This means that if you purchase a lot which includes a work of art by a qualifying artist and it sells for over 1,000 Euros and below 50,000 Euros then you are required to pay the surcharge of 4% of the hammer price to The Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS). Franklin Browns will detail this DACS payment on your invoice and the ARR will be paid across to DACS. A sliding scale applies to works of art selling for over 50,000 Euros. Royalties in their entirety are paid to the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) and no handling fees or costs are retained by the Auctioneer. Resale Royalty payment is calculated on the rate of exchange at the European Central Bank on the date of the Sale. Royalties are not subject to VAT charges. If you have further queries then please contact the DACS helpline on 0845 410 3410 or alternatively email info@dacs.org.uk or visit www.dacs.org.uk

Important information for Buyers Regarding Post 1950's Furniture

Please note that Post 1950's furnishings may not comply with the furniture and (Fire) Safety Regulations Act of 1988 and as such are sold as works of art and should not be used in a private dwelling.

Electrical Goods

Lots which were once operated by mains electricity are offered for sale for display or historical purposes and are bought entirely at the purchaser's risk. Any lot with an electrical fitting must be checked by a qualified electrician before connection to the mains electrical supply. Franklin Browns cannot accept responsibility for any convention of this lot.

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