TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE AND CONSIGNMENT
1. Introduction: These Terms & Conditions govern the relationship between the Auctioneer, sellers (vendors), and buyers participating in auctions conducted by CPMA Auctions, whether online or otherwise.
2. Business Hours
Our office and collection premises are open:
Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 1:00pm (Appointment only for collection, viewing, item drop off)
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays unless otherwise stated.
3. Acceptance
By consigning goods, registering to bid, placing a bid, or purchasing a lot, users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions.
4. Seller's Commission and Fees
Seller’s are required to complete and sign the Auctioneer's Vendor Registration Form.
The following charges apply to all lots entered into auction:
4a. A commission of 20% of the final hammer price will be charged to the seller on all sold lots.
4b. A lotting fee of £1.50 per lot entered into auction will be charged regardless of whether the item sells. However unsold items will be re-entered into The Auctioneers next available auction if agreed with the vendor for no additional lot fee.
4c. Seller proceeds will be paid within 14 working days following clearance of buyer payments.
4d. In the event of non-payment by a winning bidder resulting in a failed transaction for the seller, the Auctioneer reserves the right to re-offer the item for sale.
4e. The Auctioneer reserves the right to withhold payment in the event of disputes, chargebacks, or suspected fraud.
5. Seller Warranties
By submitting items for sale, the seller warrants that:
5a.They are the legal owner of the goods or have authority to sell them.
5b.The goods are free from finance, liens, or third-party claims.
5c.Descriptions provided are accurate to the best of their knowledge.
5d.They indemnify the Auctioneer against claims arising from ownership disputes or inaccurate descriptions.
6. Buyer's Responsibilities
Successful buyers must:
6a.Pay all invoices within the stated payment period.
6b.Arrange collection of purchased lots within the specified collection period.
6c.Produce identification if requested.
6d.Ownership of goods shall not pass to the buyer until full cleared payment has been received.
7. Buyer's Premium
A Buyer's Premium of 20% of the hammer price shall be added to all successful bids.
Additional taxes or charges may apply where required by law
8. Bidding
8a.Registration must be completed before bidding is accepted
8b.All bids are legally binding.
8c.The highest accepted bid at the close of the auction shall be the purchaser.
8d.The Auctioneer's decision in any dispute shall be final.
8e.The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject bids at its discretion.
8f.The Auctioneer accepts written/email absentee bids and will execute them free of charge. The bids will be processed strictly in the order they are received.
9. Payment
Payment accepted by bank transfer or debit card on collection or upon receipt of invoice. Cash not accepted.
10. Collection & Storage of Won or Unsold Items
10a.Purchased items must be collected during business hours and not collected until payment is confirmed.
10b.Items won to be collected within 4 days & unsold items to be collected within 4 days, storage fees will apply of £1 per item, per day if not collected.
10c.The auctioneer reserves the right to dispose of any items not collected.
10d.The Auctioneer accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to items left beyond the collection period.
10e.Any uncollected items, presumed to be abandoned, will be included in a clearance sale to cover storage costs.
11. Packaging and Shipping
The Auctioneer is not a professional packing or shipping service.
11a.Where requested, we will make every reasonable effort to package and dispatch purchased lots after full payment for both the item(s) and the applicable shipping and packaging charges has been received.
11b.Whilst we take care in packaging items, all shipping is undertaken at the buyer's risk.
11c.The Auctioneer shall not be liable for delays, loss, or damage caused by postal operators, couriers, or other third-party delivery services once the item has been handed over for transit.
11d.Shipping costs will be advised to the buyer before dispatch wherever practicable. The Auctioneer reserves the right to decline shipping requests for items that are fragile, oversized, hazardous, or otherwise unsuitable for postal or courier delivery.
12. Condition of Lots
All lots are sold "as seen" and "as found".
Descriptions and photographs are provided for guidance only and do not constitute warranties. Buyers are responsible for satisfying themselves as to the condition, authenticity, age, quality, and suitability of any item prior to bidding includes but not limited to all electrical goods; jewellery; precious metals.
13. Liability
The Auctioneer acts solely as agent between buyer and seller.
The Auctioneer shall not be liable for:
13a.Errors in cataloguing.
13b.Losses arising from website interruptions.
13c.Delays in payment processing.
13d.Indirect or consequential losses.
13e.Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion is prohibited by law.
13f.Attendees enter the premises at their own risk; the Auctioneer accepts no liability for personal injury, loss, or property damage.
14. Auctioneer's Rights
The Auctioneer reserves the right to:
14a.Refuse any item for sale.
14b.Withdraw, combine, divide, or re-catalogue lots.
14c.Amend descriptions without notice.
14d.Remove bidders or sellers who breach these Terms.
15. Prohibited Items
The Auctioneer does not accept, advertise, or sell any prohibited or age-restricted items.
These include, but are not limited to:
Firearms and ammunition.
Gas appliances.
Air weapons requiring certification.
Knives, swords, and bladed articles.
Explosives or pyrotechnics.
Tobacco products.
Alcoholic beverages.
Any item whose sale is restricted by UK law.
The Auctioneer reserves the right to refuse, withdraw, or remove any lot that is considered prohibited, unsafe, or unsuitable for sale at its sole discretion.
Sellers are responsible for ensuring that all items submitted for auction comply with applicable laws and regulations.
16. Data Protection
Personal information will be processed in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and used only for auction administration, legal compliance, and customer communications.
17. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
18. Online Bidding Platform
Our auctions are conducted through the BidSpirit online auction platform.
All bids placed through BidSpirit are subject to both these Terms & Conditions and any applicable BidSpirit user terms.
No additional buyer's commission is charged by the BidSpirit website. The successful bidder shall pay only the hammer price of the lot, together with CPMA Auctions commission and any applicable shipping, packaging, storage, or other agreed charges.
The Auctioneer accepts no responsibility for interruptions, technical failures, internet outages, or platform errors occurring on BidSpirit or any third-party service used in connection with the auction.