Buyer's Terms & Conditions

Buyer’s Premium: Stride & Son charge a buyer’s premium on the hammer price of 18% plus VAT. Lots marked with an asterisk will be subject to further VAT on the hammer price. Bidding live via the internet will also incur additional fees.
Registration: Anyone wishing to bid at the auction must register to do so. Prospective parties must provide their full name, address and telephone number. Anti-Money Laundering regulations will sometimes require us to take additional proof of identification. The auctioneer may decline bids from anyone who has not registered to bid.

Catalogue Descriptions: All measurements and weights are approximate, silver weights are given in grammes. Damage may not be mentioned in the catalogue, the nature of lots in our auctions is that they will rarely be in perfect condition. No promise is made that a lot is fit for any particular purpose. Any statements or representations contained in any description may be changed by us at any time until the lot is sold.

Condition Reports: Any statement as to the condition is given honestly and with appropriate care. Our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. We therefore recommend that you view the items personally, or in certain cases instruct your own restorer or professional adviser prior to bidding.
Bidding: The auctioneer reserves the right to refuse to accept bids as he or she sees fit. The auctioneer may place bids on behalf of the vendor by placing responsive or consecutive bids up to the amount of the reserve. When making a bid, a bidder is accepting personal liability to pay the purchase price, including the buyer’s premium and all applicable taxes.

Commission or Absentee Bids: We will use reasonable efforts to execute commission bids for those who cannot attend the auction. All absentee bids must be received no later than the day preceding the auction. The auctioneer takes no responsibility for bids which are received after this. We will attempt to execute an absentee bid at the lowest possible price taking into account the reserve price. We cannot accept liability in any individual instance for failing to exercise a commission bid or for errors and omissions in connection with it arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Telephone Bids: We cannot accept telephone bids on lots estimated below £500. Arrangements must be confirmed with the auction office 24 hours prior to the auction. Telephone lines are limited and are therefore assigned on a first come first served basis. We will make reasonable efforts to contact prospective buyers to enable them to participate in bidding by telephone but we do not accept liability for failing to do so or for errors and omission in connection with telephone bidding arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Artist’s Resale Right (Droit de Suite): On applicable lots the buyer agrees to pay to Stride & Son an amount equal to the resale royalty and we will pay such amount to the artist’s collecting agent. Resale royalty applies where the hammer price is equal to or greater than 1,000 Euros.
Payment: Risk in the lot passes to you when the hammer falls as does your obligation to pay the purchase price. If the purchase price is not paid in full with five working days we have the right to, either: terminate the contract for sale; take legal proceedings against you; retain possession of other property sold to you until all sums due have been paid in full. Anti-Money Laundering regulations limit the amount of cash payments which can be received.

Collection & Storage: Large items in the saleroom cannot be cleared whilst the auction is in progress. Each purchased lot not collected within five working days of the sale, whether or not payment has been made, will incur a daily storage charge of £2 plus VAT.
Miscellaneous: All post 1950 furniture is offered solely as ‘works of art’. These items may not comply with the relevant Fire Safety Regulations. Accordingly these items should not be used as furniture in your home. If you do intend to use them you must ensure they are re-upholstered, re-stuffed and/or recovered as appropriate in order to comply. All alcohol is sold as seen and is not subject to return. All electrical items should be checked with a qualified electrician prior to use.

Complaints: A copy of our ‘Complaints Handling Procedure’ is available upon request.