Buying at Auction

If you have any questions please ask any member of staff, or contact us. We’re a friendly team and only too happy to help.

Auction dates

Auction dates are published on this website well in advance. You can also subscribe to our email reminder service, where we will email you to let you know when a new catalogue has been released.

View auction dates >

Browse the catalogues

Illustrated auction catalogues are uploaded to our website for you to peruse and download. Print versions can be purchased directly from our auction rooms.

Catalogues see the auction lots arranged by category, i.e. silver, furniture, paintings etc... Each lot has a description and most have photos, condition reports and a guide price.

You are welcome to ask us for extra images or details about any particular item, please contact us with your questions.

Please Note:

• There could be changes to the catalogue prior to the sale
• Lots with * have VAT added to the hammer price at the current rate of 20%
• Electrical goods buyer beware. Cuttlestones does not assume any responsibility for the condition or safety any electrical item(s)
• Bidders are to consider electrical lots as spares and repairs, and to be purchased at their own risk
• All purchases to be removed from the Saleroom by Midday on the Friday after the sale, storage charges will apply otherwise

Condition reports are provided upon request and the absence of a report on the website does not imply that a lot is without imperfections. Condition reports are provided on the understanding that they are carried out to the best of our ability and that these reports refer solely to the condition, not the age or attribution, of a lot. Books are sold as seen, and are not guaranteed to be complete. Condition reports should in no case be considered a replacement for viewing in person or a service for which we accept any liability whatsoever.

Viewing by appointment

Viewing takes place the day prior to each auction offering the chance to see lots up close. We strongly recommend that, where possible, you attend the viewing and examine the lots you are interested in. If you are unable to attend viewings, the condition report and descriptions in the catalogue should give you a good idea of what you’re bidding on and you can always call or email us with any questions you have.

Register to bid

Buyers premium

Cuttlestones' buyers premium is charged on top of the hammer price, this is 20% + VAT (24% inclusive).

Online auction bidding platforms then charge an additional commission of

• bid.cuttlestones.co.uk fee is 3% plus VAT
• the-saleroom.com fee is 4.95% plus VAT.
• easyliveauction.com offer two options
  • FREE Registration then a further 3.60% on the hammer price of all lots you win or
  • A Flat Fee of £3.00 regardless of whether you bid on / win lots, and no further fees

Place your bids

Bidding in the room

In person bidders are asked to book in with us in advance.

If you are attending the sale in person, you simply need to find a good spot in the auction room on sale day - if you can clearly see the auctioneer, they should be able to see you. When making a bid, clearly raise your hand (and don’t worry about scratching your nose, it won’t be taken as a bid!). If you are the successful bidder, the auctioneer will ask for your number – raise your card so that they can see it and make a note.

Bidding if you can’t attend

If you are unable to attend the auction there are other ways to bid:

Commission bidding - You can lodge a bid in advance with the administration team; the auctioneer will have your bid ‘in the book’ and take account of this during bidding – if your bid is the highest, you win.

Commission bids can be left via email up to an hour before the start of the auction as long as you are registered with us.  All new bidders must please call the office first.

Telephone bidding - Booked with the administration team in advance, you will have a live telephone conversation with a member of the Cuttlestones team in the auction room when the lots you wish to bid on are being sold; you instruct them when to bid and how much on your behalf.

Live online bidding – With live bidding now available for all of our auctions, this is increasingly the most popular means of remote bidding. You register online via bid.cuttlestones.co.uk, the-saleroom.com or Easy Live Auction and bid live, with the option to watch a streamed live video of the sale as it happens.

Pay for your goods

At the end of the sale you will need to collect and pay for your lots, you can do this on the day of the sale. To pay you will need to go to the main desk and give your number; you will then be presented with an invoice listing all the lots you have purchased alongside the hammer price and a total with buyer’s premium added on. You can pay by cash, or debit card.

Credit card payments can be made in person only, no telephone payments, and must be accompanied by identification & proof of address.
We reserve the right to refuse a credit card payment.

From international buyers we request a direct bank payment; please make sure that all bank charges are covered to ensure we receive the correct payment.

Collection, Shipping & packing

Collection by pre-booked time slot.

Cuttlestones work closely with specialist couriers who provide collection, specialist packing and worldwide shipping for items bought through our sales at competitive rates.

• Mail Boxes Etc. of Wolverhampton 01902 422700 or [email protected]
• That's Your Lot https://www.thats-your-lot.co.uk/contact (online quote form) 01902 475212

Furniture Deliveries - Bentley’s Removals provide local and long-distance deliveries. To arrange please contact Stuart on 07988 229350.

Nationwide Deliveries: Paul - Van4Us 07792 204448 / 0845 2240225

Terms and conditions

We require that you familiarise yourself with our terms and conditions and if you have any questions please contact us.