Home > TimeLine Auctions: How to Buy or Sell
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A Guide to Buying:

Anyone over 18 may participate in our auctions.

(1) Searching and Viewing

A public viewing of all lots is held the day before each sale, and at selected times on the day of the auction. Private viewings are available by prior arrangement.

All lots for upcoming auctions can be found on our website and are published in our auction catalogues. To subscribe to our catalogue, please fill in the form below and forward it to us via email or post.

(2) Bidding

For your convenience there are several methods of bidding:

Bidding at the auction
We strongly advise clients to pre-register online, as this will save time with the registration process on the day. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your first lot as we will need to issue you with a bidding number and paddle.

Telephone bidding
Live telephone bidding facilities are available on lots with a lower estimate of £250 or above by prior arrangement. To avoid disappointment, please book your telephone bidding at least 48 hrs before the sale.

Leaving 'Auto Bids'
Once you have registered online and your account has been authorised, you may place your maximum bids via your online account, and our system will bid on your behalf. This is a fully confidential and free service and bids will be made at the lowest possible level in accordance with your ‘auto bid’. You can review the status of your bids by clicking on 'My Bids' link within your online account. Alternatively, you may download an 'Auto Bid' form and forward it to us by email or post.

Timer: Lots shown on our online bidding platform will be accompanied by a timer, which counts down to the morning of the sale. Bidding will continue as normal and winning autobids may still be outbid by live bidding.

This system is designed to allow you to track the progression of your autobids and reassess alternative lots should you be outbid before the auction goes live. 

Please note: bids can be submitted through the online account up until just before the lot is offered for sale.

Live internet bidding
To watch, listen and bid in real time, log in via the red 'Live Bidding' link at the top right of our home page. Bids may be made by clicking on the ‘bid’ button live during the sale.

For queries about bidding, or to discuss any of these arrangements, please email bids@timelineauctions.com or call +44(0)1277 815121.

(3) Buyer’s premium and other charges

In addition to the hammer price, you will be required to pay a Buyer’s premium. The Buyer’s premium is 27% (VAT inclusive) for all successful bidders. For other internet bidding providers, the provider’s normal charges will apply in addition to the Buyer’s premium, but no additional charge is made for Bidders using our in-house bidding service.

Additional buyer costs include packing, shipping and insurance. Buyers are welcome to collect items in person or to make their own arrangements for delivery. Generally, packing and shipping services can be provided by Mail Boxes Etc. (Romford) and full details are given on invoices. Interest may be charged on late payments and storage costs may be applied for late collections.

(4) After the sale

Arrangements will be made for packing and shipping and purchases will be shipped as soon as possible after payments have been received and cleared.

Payments must be paid in Pounds Sterling and can be made by bank transfer, cash (up to the value of £7,000), cheque and debit or credit card (up to a maximum limit of £500). Please note that TimeLine Auctions Ltd does not accept Paypal (or similar systems), charge cards (American Express, Diners Club etc.) or cheques/orders drawn on foreign banks in Pounds Sterling or any other currencies.


Please note, it is the Buyer’s responsibility to ensure any duties, restrictions, laws or regulations regarding import to the Buyer’s home country are met. Buyers from the USA especially should note that restrictions apply to various categories of antiquities and coins and should check before bidding.

 

A Guide to Selling:

TimeLine Auctions provides a comprehensive and confidential selling service. We are happy to tailor our services to suit your requirements, whether you wish to sell a single item or a large collection.

Every year we hold four antiquities and coin auctions, each spread over five or six days. The first day of our auction takes place in central London and the sale continues at our head office in Essex. Occasional Saturday and Special sales are also held from time to time. All lots are extensively researched, photographed and vetted by an external committee of experts.

(1) Get in touch

If you have an item or collection you are interesting in selling, contact us and we will advise you if it is suitable for inclusion in one of our auction sales, without obligation.

(2) Consignment

Once you have decided to put items into our auctions, a property receipt will be issued, confirming the details of the agreement and items. This will stipulate the sale terms, reserve, estimate ranges, selling commissions and any other charges such as collection of goods, storage or insurance.

Sellers who live abroad must check local laws and regulations regarding the export of items for sale in the UK and documentation to prove legal export will be required. In addition, UK Import VAT may be payable at the time of importation into the UK (at 5% of the assessed value) and is payable by the seller. Please contact us before sending any items.

(3) Cataloguing and vetting

Items entered into our sale are then expertly researched, catalogued and professionally photographed for our website and printed catalogue. Before inclusion in the sale, each lot is rigorously vetted by an external committee of specialists, all respected and recognised experts in their fields. In individual cases, further scientific tests are undertaken.

(4) After the sale

Once the auction has finished and payment is usually made within 30 days of the sale.

If a buyer was not found, TimeLine Auctions Ltd will contact you about possible re-listing the item or collection.