Buying at Auction
Cheshire’s leading auction house serving the North West and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or first-time auction-goer, our friendly team is here to make buying at auction as simple as possible — with helpful advice at every step.
How to Buy at Auction
Whether you’re buying an individual item for £20 or exploring complete collections for £200,000, The Auction Centre has the facilities and expertise necessary to guide you through the auction process, navigating each step with ease.
Advantages of Buying at Auction
Advantages of buying at auction become clear when you discover unique antiques and collectibles you couldn’t find elsewhere. From rare individual pieces to entire collections in a single lot, auctions offer you an opportunity to acquire quality items at competitive prices.
1.
Great Value for Money
Buying at auction allows you to purchase at true market value. Plus, if interest in an item is limited, you could secure a bargain.
2.
A Greener Way to Shop
Give antiques and vintage collectibles a new lease of life. Auctions support sustainability by keeping quality items in use and preserving their rich history.
3.
A Wider Range of Items
Access diverse collections. From ‘modern’ Star Wars toys to Roman coins dating back thousands of years, our sales feature a variety rarely seen elsewhere.
4.
Best for Rare and Collectable Items
Auctions are the natural home for the rare and sought-after. Our sales regularly feature one-off pieces, limited editions, and items with unique provenance.
Fees when Buying at Auction
When buying at auction, fees are applicable to all sales. A buyer’s premium of 22% (plus VAT) is charged on every lot, with an additional 4.95% (plus VAT) for internet bidding.
All fees incurred are clearly outlined in our terms and conditions to ensure maximum transparency — so you are not met with any unexpected surprises.
Public Viewings
The golden rule for auction buying is to always thoroughly inspect every lot before bidding. The Auction Centre is open for viewing by appointment only prior to sales. This gives you an opportunity to examine condition and authenticity first-hand at your own leisure.
Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced collector, we strongly advise all bidders to get in touch to arrange a viewing. Our knowledgeable staff will be on-hand to answer any questions you may have and provide additional information about lots during these sessions.
Registering to Bid
To complete our simple registration process, you will need to provide your name, address, telephone number, email, and payment card information — which will be authenticated securely and remotely.
Nervous first-time-buyers join our sales each week so, if you are a newcomer, you can expect to receive dedicated support from our friendly staff, who are highly experienced in supporting inexperienced participants to navigate the process of buying at auction with confidence and ease.
Bidding Online
All of our auctions are broadcast LIVE online. Follow proceedings in real-time and place your bids electronically from anywhere in the world through our secure platform.
You are also able to leave commission bids in advance of the sale. Our client services team will then place bids on requested lots on your behalf up to your specific maximum — executing any bids as economically as possible as if you were in the room placing them yourself.
Important Information
This is a trade auction where The Auction Centre acts as agents for the vendor only. Please note that the Consumer Rights Act 2015 does not apply to any sale. The majority of lots offered are pre-owned, so condition naturally varies. We encourage all intending bidders to carefully check the authenticity and condition of any lot before the sale, ideally by visiting one of our viewing events, or alternatively by requesting a written condition report.
Please remember that all lots are sold with all faults, imperfections and errors, and all sales are final.
