Buying at Auction
It has never been easier to bid with us at auction across our four auction premises. As of January 2021 we have our own bespoke bidding platform meaning that you can register an account with Thomson Roddick and use it to bid with us live online at our website for our auctions in Ayr, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Carlisle. The only catch is that you will pay an additional 3%+VAT on the hammer price for doing so, compared to standing in the room bidding. This fee goes to the hosts of our bidding platform and is not kept by Thomson Roddick. We realise that you may be used to bidding using other auction platforms such as Easy Live Auctions or thesaleroom.com and our auctions will continue to be broadcast on both platforms as appropriate. As always you can still bid in person by attending the auction and leave an absentee bid (commission bid) or telephone bid (if certain criteria are met). That is six ways to bid! There have been many changes in our 140 years of existence, technically the telephone was invented around the same time as we started auctioneering but we're fairly certain that it wasn't making an appearance at the auction rooms quite then!
Bidders must satisfy themselves that the condition of the lot is to their satisfaction before they bid.
Online Bidding
It will come as no surprise that all of our auctions are broadcast live on thomsonroddick.com. In order to bid on our platform you are required to register on this site and agree to our terms and conditions. Bidding online through thomsonroddick.com will attract an additional charge for this service in the sum of 3% of the hammer price plus VAT at the rate imposed. Click create account at the top right of the home page to get started or login if you have an account already. Happy Bidding!
Alternatively, all auctions are broadcast live on easyliveauctions.com and the specialist auctions have another option with bidding available on the the-saleroom.com too. You will require to register with either easyliveauction.com or the-saleroom.com and agree with their terms and conditions before you can bid live.
Lots purchased online with easyliveauction.com will attract an additional charge for this service to the sum of 3% of the hammer price plus VAT at the rate imposed or if the Flat Fee option is selected then a fee of £3 will be taken at the time of registration with no additional percentage charge take on the hammer price of any successful lots acquired.
Lots purchased online with the-saleroom.com will attract an additional charge for this service in the sum of 4.95% of the hammer price plus VAT at the rate imposed.
We will automatically charge the online bidder's registered card following the sale unless a prior agreement has been agreed directly with the auctioneer.
Bidding In Person
Before you bid in person you need a paddle or buyer's number. You can get this from the office prior to the auction. If you are new to the auction room then you will require two forms of ID, one to be photographic (e.g. passport, driving licence and a utility bill) in order to register.
Commission Bidding
If you are unable to attend the auction then once registered, you can leave an absentee bid. You must indicate the maximum amount you wish to spend, excluding buyer’s premium.
We ask that you email your commission bids to us with your full name, address and contact details.
When processed you will receive an email notifying you of receipt and confirmation of your bids.
Telephone Bidding
We are pleased to offer telephone bidding for higher value items (i.e. over £150) in some of our specialist antique and collectors' sales only. The number of lines are limited and are offered on a first come first served basis. All phone lines must be booked by 4pm on the day before the sale. We are unable to accept requests for telephone lines on the day of the sale.
Buyer’s Premium
All lots are subject to a buyer’s premium of 20% plus VAT.
Payment Methods
Payment can be made in person by cash or debit and credit cards. The maximum cash payment we can accept in one transaction is £9,000.
If you are bidding through the-saleroom.com then your registered card will be charged following the sale. If you are not present and are not a saleroom.com bidder then the only way that you can make payment is by bank transfer. International bank transfers will be required to add an additional £15 to their transfer to cover bank charges.
Details are as follows
Bank of Scotland, 91 High St, Dumfries, DG1 2BN
Account no. 06051054
Sort Code 80-11- 60
Iban no. GB93 BOFS 8011 6006 0510 54
BIC: BOFSGB21010
All bank transfers must contain a reference and sale date ie DFS (Dumfries) ED (Edinburgh) CAR (Carlisle) AYR (Ayr)
Collection & Postage
We do not provide an in-house post or packing service.
We are not able to pack for couriers to collect, the following couriers provide a packing and postage service and may be able to help (we will move lots purchased in Dumfries to one of our other offices, as per the shippers' request):
Mailboxes etc (Shawlands) - 0141 649 6777 / admin@mbeshawlands.co.uk
https://www.mbe.co.uk/glasgowshawlands
Mailboxes etc (Ayr) - 01292 618600 / info@mbeayr.co.uk
Mailboxes etc (Newcastle) - 0191 222 0018 / info@mbenewcastle.co.uk
For larger items - packing and worldwide shipping services such as the following are recommended
Alban Shipping - www.albanshipping.co.uk / 01582 493099
Aardvark Art Services, www.aardvarkartservices.com / 01253 794673
Kenneth Hayton Removals www.kennethhaytonremovals.co.uk / 01387 263435
Carlisle Book Auction Postal Service
The Carlisle auction room can offer an in-house packing service for books purchased in the specialist book auctions being sent with the United Kingdom and under a total combined weight of 18kg. Please contact the office on 01228 535 288 for a quote.
Artist’s Resale Rights
In 2006, ARR was introduced by a European Directive. It applies to living artists and those who have died in the last 70 years. The royalty is paid by the purchaser on top of the hammer price if the sale exceeds €1,000 (the Euro conversion rate is calculated on the morning of the sale).
