16 SEPTEMBER 2026
Buying at Auction
Everything you need to know before you raise your hand or click Bid.
Buying at auction is straightforward once you know the routine, and we are always happy to talk a newcomer through it. This guide covers registering, the different ways to bid, viewing, the buyer’s premium, payment and collection. If anything is unclear, ring us on 07867 201883 or drop in to the saleroom at 1 Station Road, Laughton Common, Dinnington, any weekday between 09:30 and 15:00.
Registering to bid
Registration is free. Create an account on this website through My Account, giving your name, address, email and phone number. We may ask you for photographic ID, and for some sales we ask for a payment card to be held on file before your bids are approved. Once you are registered you can bid in any of our sales without registering again. If you would rather bid in the room, come along on sale day and we will sign you up at the desk and give you a bidder number.
Ways to bid
- In the saleroom — Our Wednesday general auctions are live in the room at 1 Station Road. Register at the desk, take a seat and enjoy the traditional auction experience.
- Live online — Watch and bid in real time through this website, powered by the BidSpirit platform. Log in, open the sale catalogue and bid as the auctioneer works through the lots. Our Sunday coin and bullion auctions are online only.
- Absentee (commission) bids — Cannot be there? Leave your maximum bid on a lot in advance through the website. The auctioneer will bid on your behalf up to that figure, buying as cheaply as the competition allows.
- Telephone bidding — By arrangement, for higher-value lots. Contact us before the sale and a member of staff will phone you when your lot comes up.
Viewing
Every lot is sold as seen, so we recommend viewing before you bid. Lots are available to view at the saleroom on weekdays from 09:30 to 15:00 in the run-up to each sale, and viewing by appointment is very welcome. Pop in, have a cuppa and have a good look. If you cannot get to Dinnington, ask us for a condition report by email; we will describe the piece honestly and send extra photographs where we can.
The buyer’s premium
As at every UK auction house, a buyer’s premium is added to the hammer price of each lot. At Clumber Auction House the buyer’s premium is 18% of the hammer price, on every lot in every sale. VAT is charged on the hammer price only for lots marked with an asterisk (*) in the catalogue, as set out in our Conditions of Sale.
| Hammer price | Buyer’s premium (18%) | Total you pay |
|---|---|---|
| £100 | £18 | £118 |
| £250 | £45 | £295 |
| £500 | £90 | £590 |
| £1,000 | £180 | £1,180 |
A simple rule of thumb: decide the total you are happy to pay, then knock off roughly 15% to find your maximum hammer bid.
Payment
Payment is due as soon as the sale ends and in any case within 5 working days. We accept cash (within anti-money laundering limits), debit and credit cards, and bank transfer. Online buyers will receive an invoice by email once the sale has finished. Ownership of a lot does not pass to you until it has been paid for in full.
Collection and shipping
- After Wednesday general sales
- Thursday and Friday, 10:00 to 15:00
- After Sunday coin and bullion sales
- Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 to 15:00
- Other times
- By arrangement: phone, email or WhatsApp us
- Shipping
- Can be arranged on request; ask us for a quote
- Deadline
- Please collect within 7 working days of the sale
Lots must be paid for before they can be released. Anything left beyond 7 working days becomes the buyer’s responsibility for storage and insurance, and charges may apply under our Conditions of Sale, so please let us know if you need a little longer.
Condition of lots
All lots are sold as seen. Catalogue descriptions and estimates are our honest opinion, but they are opinion, not a guarantee, and you are responsible for inspecting a lot before you bid. Watches are not deemed to be in working order unless the description says so. Condition reports are provided for guidance only. The one exception is a deliberate forgery: if a lot proves to be one as defined in our Conditions of Sale, it may be returned within 10 days of the auction and we will refund the price paid including the premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to register?
No. Registration on the website and in the saleroom is free. We may ask for ID and, for some sales, a card on file before approving you to bid.
What is an estimate, and can a lot sell for less?
An estimate is our guide to what a lot is likely to fetch. Lots regularly sell above or below estimate. Where a seller has set a reserve, the lot will not sell below that figure; many of our lots have no reserve at all.
How do bidding increments work?
Increments are at the auctioneer’s discretion and each lot on the website shows its increment table. As a rough guide, bids rise in £5 or £10 steps at the lower end, £10 or £20 up to £500, £50 up to £1,000 and £100 or more above that.
Can I leave a bid if I cannot follow the sale live?
Yes. Enter your maximum bid on the lot page before the sale and the system will bid for you up to that amount. You will be emailed if you win.
Can you post my purchases?
Usually, yes. Smaller items can be packed and shipped on request; contact us after the sale for a quote. Larger items may need a courier, which we can help you arrange.
What if I change my mind after winning?
A bid, once made, cannot be withdrawn and a winning bid is a binding contract to buy. Please view, ask questions and set your limit before you bid.
Upcoming Auctions
Thinking of selling?
Free, no-obligation valuations at the saleroom, by email or WhatsApp, or at your home for larger collections and house clearances.
Request a Valuation