One important difference between an auction and a retail shop is that all goods are sold as seen. Lots could have faults or missing parts so it is very important that you carefully inspect items you are interested in buying before the sale takes place. There are no guarantees given when buying at auction. The absence of a condition report does not constitute a guarantee.

Viewing location:
W&H Peacock, Auction Centre, Eastcotts Park, Wallis Way, Bedford, MK42 0PE

Viewing options:
Friday prior to sale 9am – 8pm
Saturday prior to sale 9am – 1pm
Thursday prior to sale 9am – 5pm
Morning of sale from 9am

Illustrated catalogues are available for all Antique and Specialist sales (£5.00 by post). The online catalogue is available further down this page once the sale is uploaded. You can sign up to be notified of this by clicking the ‘Remind me’ button.

Condition reports:
Requests for condition reports may be submitted by email or directly through the online catalogue.

We regret that we are unable to process requests for condition reports received after 5pm on the day preceding the sale.

This is a live auction with both in-room and online bidding.

• In-room bidding is available at the above location on sale day.
• Commission bids may be submitted prior to the start of the sale, in person or through the website.
• Telephone bids may be offered on lots with an estimate over £500, subject to availability.
• Online bidding is available through the auction platforms found via the 'Live Online' button in the 'How to bid' section at the top of the page.

Prospective buyers will need to register with the auctioneer for in-person or commission bidding, or via the relevant platform for online bidding.

Hammer price:
This is the bid amount you offered to the auctioneer for any given lot which is accepted at the fall of the hammer.

Buyers’ premium:
A buyers’ premium at 17.5% plus VAT, will be added to the hammer price of each lot.

Online fee:
Lots purchased online also attract a platform fee of 3% plus VAT.

VAT on hammer price:
Some lots in our sales are sold by VAT registered vendors and we are therefore also required to charge VAT on the hammer price of these particular lots. Please refer to “+VAT” in descriptions in the catalogue and information in the ‘additional fee’ box when bidding.

All VAT is charged at the current rates, as applicable to the fees or lots being sold.

Collection:
On sale day until 5pm and the following Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 5pm.

The auctioneers may charge storage on items not cleared by the final collection time stated above or, at their discretion, may resell uncollected lots in an appropriate sale, subject to standard commission charges, without informing the original purchaser and without refunding their payment.

Mailing:
For UK mailing quotes or enquiries for smaller items please see our postage information page or contact our in-house postal department at W&H Peacock on 01234 608 908 or via postage@peacockauction.co.uk.

Shipping:
Please see the shipping information page for recommendations of couriers for international or larger items.

On successful purchase of items at auction, payment of your invoice should be made via any of the following accepted methods of payment as per our terms:

• Cash
• Debit card (in person)
• Direct bank transfer (details on invoice)

Note: We do not accept any form of credit card payment or any type of card payment over the telephone.

Attention is drawn to the Auctioneers Conditions of Sale. In particular, it is emphasised that all accounts must be settled on the day of sale. Please always remember that the lots purchased are at your own risk from the fall of the hammer, it is therefore in your own interest to get everything paid and collected as soon as possible.

Artist Resale Rights (ARR): In certain instances, where an artist is still alive, royalties can apply under the Artist Resale Right Regulations 2006. If these regulations apply, the buyer of the lot agrees to pay the auctioneer an amount equal to the resale royalty and we undertake to the buyer to pay this sum to the artist’s collection agent.

Soft Furnishings: Our Soft Furnishings Policy (*SFP) applies to all lots marked as such in the online and printed catalogue. Full details of this policy can be found on the lot guidance page of our website.

Endangered Species: All lots constructed using endangered species, for example Brazilian Rosewood, are sold with the appropriate CITES certification. Further documentation can be obtained from the auctioneer. Purchasers are warned that a new certificate will be required for resale or export purposes.