If you are thinking of buying or selling fine art or antiques at auction, it may be in your interests to ensure the auctioneer is an RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) member.
Members can be identified by the letters FRICS, MRICS or TechRICS after their name. This guide aims to tell you more about the auction process from a buyer and sellers point of view, and what you can expect.
What is RICS?
RICS is the largest organisation for professionals working in property, land and construction worldwide. So if you are selling art and antiques at auction, you may want to use an auctioneer who is an RICS member. If you are looking to buy art and antiques at auction, a chartered arts and antiques surveyor can advise on whether the investment you will make will be a sound one.
Using the services of RICS members offers real peace of mind because:
We give you clear, impartial and expert advice
We have strict codes of conduct to protect you including proper insurance
As RICS members, we have to update our skills and knowledge throughout our careers, so you can rely on our expertise
You are further protected by our formal complaints service.
Buying at auction
When buying at auction, make sure that you allow yourself enough time to examine thoroughly your chosen lot. If unfamiliar with antiques or fine art, make sure that you buy a catalogue, read the description and estimate and then ask questions. Auctioneers and valuers are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge with you.
If you are a beginner, or you have found the lot in question through the internet or an advert and will not have an opportunity to view the item, ask for a condition report, is the piece a good example of its type? Is the estimate realistic? What is the auctioneers general opinion? Ask for help to decide what your top bid should be. This will help to you to build a rapport with the auctioneer and make your decisions. It is important to find out as much as possible about the lot that you are interested in, check for damage and restoration and decide upon your maximum bid.
Auction houses are now required to know their clients for the protection and benefit of all involved in the auction process. Whether you are a vendor or are wishing to bid on a lot, you will be required to give your name, address and telephone number and provide some form of ID.
You will need to register this information with the accounts office before you are allowed to bid. You will then be given a paddle number for bidding.
Check the method of payment required before you bid. Many auction houses will not now release goods after sale until they have cleared funds in their account. Consulting the auction accounts office before the auction will save time afterwards and speed up payment and transfer.
Before you bid, check with the auctioneer if there is a Buyers Premium ie a charge on the hammer price payable to the auction house.
The auctioneers terms and conditions of business including a note of any Buyers Premium are usually posted around the auction room and noted in the catalogue. If not consult the auctioneer before bidding.
Finally before raising your hand, make sure that your lot has not been withdrawn, been subject to an estimate revision or been damaged since you last viewed it. These simple last minute checks will save you time later on.
On the day:
Now the fun part!
An RICS regulated auction house abides by certain minimum standards to ensure that your bidding experience is a happy one. Auctioneers will not take accidental nose-scratching as a bid for instance. Make your first bid clearly and definitely when the auctioneer looks in your direction, be as subtle as you like once hes noticed you.
If you cant attend the sale you can leave a commission bid. Fill out the relevant form noting all the details required, not least the lot number, a brief description and the maximum price you are prepared to pay. The auctioneer will then try to buy the lot for you as inexpensively as possible taking into account other commission bids, other bidders in the room and any reserve price (the minimum price the auctioneer is authorised to accept by the seller).
Advances in technology mean that some auctioneers can enable you to place bids on lots via the internet and you may even be able to bid live at the auction through the internet.
If you are bidding in the room, do not get carried away and bid above your pre-determined limit.
If you are bidding on the telephone wait for clear instructions from the bid clerk who will let you know when to bid and the increment expected. Bidding is really exciting so dont forget to enjoy yourself!
Once you have successfully bid for a lot, pay at the auctioneers office and remove your purchase as soon as is convenient.
Welcome to the auction world!
Selling at auction
An auctioneer is your appointed agent when selling at auction and your representative to the buyer. When selling, first seek advice from an RICS chartered arts and antiques surveyor.
They will offer impartial, confidential, professional advice based on their knowledge and expertise. The surveyor will usually provide free pre-sale estimates.
Do not be afraid to ask questions to find out more about your possessions and their value
In consultation with your RICS advisor, set a reserve or minimum value below which you are not prepared to part with the object
Once the value has been established, the auctioneer will give you a receipt for signature which represents your good title to the objects being sold and your instruction for the auctioneer to sell them
Once the surveyor is instructed by you they will abide by what has been agreed
Do ask about commission charges for selling and any other charges which may be made in respect of expenses such as photography, carriage, a lotting fee, internet marketing and advertising fees
If a lot is unsold check whether there is an unsold charge
The breadth of services and costs will vary between firms; find out what services you will be getting for your money.
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