Help & FAQs

Below are the answers to some of the questions we're most often asked. If we haven't answered your question below, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help you. For more information on Probate Services or Insurance Valuations please click the links below. 

 Selling

Yes, we are always happy to advise clients on the value of any items that they are considering selling free of charge and without obligation. This can be anything from a single item to complete house contents.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to book an appointment with us or seek an online valuation.

 

A Valuer will always tell you there is no substitute for handling a piece, therefore we advise all clients that, where possible, it is best to bring your items in for one of our Specialist Team to peruse.

You can book an appointment to visit us here.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to book an appointment with us.

However if this is not possible, home visits can also be arranged at your convenience. Our Online Valuation Service, found in the Selling tab at the top of the page, is often the quickest way to receive a valuation. Just give us some details you know about your item and upload images to give us an idea of what you have.

Yes, Anderson & Garland Ltd. offer more than 180 years collective experience in appraising and valuing antiques and works of art.

Our specialist staff are expert at presenting relevant information for our well produced catalogues and internet listings.

All sales held by us are widely publicised by our PR & Marketing Department. This includes the publishing of fully illustrated catalogues on our own website, as well as listings on other prime collectors and antiques trade websites.

Advertisements are placed in the antiques trade international press and local papers.

We also regularly feature in the local and national media with sale highlights and items of significant interest. All of our catalogues enjoy a national and international mailing list.

Yes, we will be pleased to advise on suitable protective reserves, but if no reserves have been received prior to the day of the sale, the lot will be at the discretion of the auctioneer. Reserves must be confirmed in writing.

From initial enquiry, we can quickly provide a valuation and receipt for items consigned for sale. These items are then carefully researched, catalogued and photographed by specialists in each field before being entered into the appropriate auction. Pre-sale email notification will be provided outlining sale details for the clients perusal.

Payment to vendors are normally made within 15 working days of a Homes & Interiors auction or Specialist Auction, and 21 working days for a Country House & Fine Interiors sale. The Auctioneers act throughout as Agents only and are not responsible for any default by the buyer. They disclaim liability for paying the vendor until they have received settlement from the buyer.

Post-sale email notification will be provided to all vendors detailing sale results. Unsold items are carefully reviewed and reoffered subject to our terms and conditions. Where appropriate our team will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Anderson and Garland offer a highly competitive service and our commission fees can vary depending on the type and value of the items you consign. We ask that prospective clients contact us to speak to a specialist directly so that we can gauge their needs before we agree a commission rate.

A web fee also applies to all goods consigned.  This is charged at £5 per lot for items.

Please note all sold lots are subject to a minimum charge of £10. 

All charges are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.

We require all clients, both new and existing, who would like to sell items in our auctions to provide the following documents as listed below

  • Government-issued photo ID (e.g. passport, driving license)

and

  • Proof of address (utility bill/bank statement dated within the last 3 months)

Please scan or take photographs of these documents and send to info@andersonandgarland.com, or bring the required documents to us in person, where we will make a copy of them.

This process will only need to be completed once and all documents will be stored in accordance with GDPR.

Before The Sale

To view lots in a forthcoming auction, navigate using the top menu bar to Auctions, then Auction Calendar to reach our aucion listing page.  There you will find a list of forthcoming sales listed in date order.  All auctions listings that have been published will have a button on the right hand side of the screen saying 'View auction'.  Click here to access our lot listing along with images.  You can then click on any lot of interest to you, to access the full lot description and additional images.  Please note, all items offered at auction are pre-owned and as such we do not include information on the condition of each item in the description.  See FAQ on how to request a condition report below.

Catalogue listings are available as a PDF on our website prior to each auction, once the auction is published.  These can be found on our 'Auction Calendar' page under the date and lot details in each auction description.  If you would like a paper copy to bring along to a viewing or auction, and are unable to print this at home, please ask at reception and we will provide one, priced at £2 per copy. A fully illustrated list of lots is published on our website prior to each sale viewing and will also appear on selected third party websites, where appropriate and at our discretion.

Prospective buyers are provided with every opportunity to view the broad range of items available, with specialist staff in attendance during viewing times at the Auction House or via e-mail to answer any questions. Public viewing takes place in the days leading up to each sale at Anderson House; please see our Auction Calendar. Photographs of all lots are available on our website.

Care is taken to ensure that any statement as to authorship, attribution, origin, date and provenance is reliable and accurate. All such statements are opinion only and are not taken as statements or representations of fact. Bidders are strongly recommended to personally inspect the lot for which they intend to bid. Whilst every care is taken to photograph lots accurately, it is only possible to give approximate representations in our catalogues, on our website and elsewhere. Images are for general guidance only, and colours in particular will vary - especially when viewed on a screen. Bidders are directed to Item 2 of our conditions of sale and are advised to attend our viewing days. We cannot accept returns on the basis of inaccuracies caused by the limitations of photographic reproduction.

While an identification of damage is given in some instances, an absence of such advice does not imply the lot is free from defect. All condition reports whether verbal or in writing are given as a matter of courtesy and are statements of opinion. Condition reports are not exhaustive and may not encompass all defects. The Auctioneers will not be responsible for any defects not mentioned in condition reports. All prospective buyers are strongly advised to inspect any lot on which they intend to bid and fully satisfy themselves as to condition and accuracy of any description applied to a lot.

 Click below to watch our video guide on how to request a condition report.

Within each lot details page you will find information tabs below the images and description, detailing information you will require before bidding in the auction.  This includes, where appropriate, a pre-sale shipping estimate for delivery within the UK.  Most of our lots will have a shipping estimate available, unless the shipping provider needs to provide bespoke quotes, depanding on the type of item within the lot. This could include restricted items, items of significant size, overseas destinations, etc.  To request a bespoke quote please contact info@andersonandgarland.com and our client services team will be happy to assist.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to access a pre-sale shipping quotation.

To create an account with us, please navigate to 'Login/My Account' and complete the electronic form on the right-hand side of the screen.  Having an account will enable you to create 'Lot Alerts', manage you bidding and view your invoices should you be succesful in buying at auction.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to set up your account.

Setting up a Lot Alert helps you track items you want — without manually scanning every auction catalogue. Create an alert by choosing categories and entering your keywords (e.g., “Edwardian silver spoon”). Keep keywords simple for best results. You’ll then be notified by email each time relevant lots appear. You can edit or delete any alert anytime from 'My Account'

Click below to watch our video guide on how to set up and manage a lot alert.

During The Sale & Bidding

The purchaser shall pay the hammer price together with a buyer's premium of 25% of the hammer price plus VAT (30% inc. VAT). Please note that Anderson & Garland operate within the UK Auctioneers VAT Scheme therefore VAT is levied on the buyer's premium only (not the hammer price) except in special circumstances where a clear indication will be given.

You can bid in person at the auction house, or you can leave absentee bids via our website, or by telephoning us to leave an absentee bid verbally, or by emailing us your bids to bids@andersonandgarland.com prior to the sale. Further information is given on each of these bidding methods below. Alternatively you can bid live in the auction via our website, further details below.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to leave an absentee bid online.

Prospective buyers are required to register before the sale giving their full name and address, along with telephone and e-mail contact details. Additional information may be requested depending on the level of bidding to be undertaken and in some cases proof of ID and/or a bank reference may be required.

Registration can be done via our website, or on sale day at reception and by email or telephone for absentee bids. 

Click below to watch our video guide on how to register to bid online.

Alternatively you can bid live via www.andersonandgarland.com

When choosing to bid live online you will need to have registered, using a bank card, to verify your address details. We would ask for you to register before each sale to make sure that you are verified well in advance of your intention to bid on a lot. To register ahead of time, please navigate to the auction calendar page and click on the 'Register to bid' button to the right-hand side of the auction in which you wish to participate. On the sale day shortly before the auction commences you will be able to gain access to the 'Bid live' screen.  To do this navigate to the auction calendar page and click on the sale, which will have a grey banner across the sale photograph which says 'bid live'. 

Prior to bidding on higher value lots, or bidding by telephone, we will require all new bidders who have not already provided their ID to send to us

  • Government-issued photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence)

and

  • Proof of address (utility bill/bank statement dated within the last 3 months)

Please scan or take photographs of these documents and send to info@andersonandgarland.com, or bring the required documents to us in person, where we will make a copy of them.

This process will only need to be completed once and all documents will be stored in accordance with GDPR.

Telephone bidding is an option for lots estimated at over £250. Where possible we would endeavour to provide this service for lots under this threshold in special circumstances.  Please note lots which are bought for less than £250 via telephone bidding will incur a £10 (plus VAT) per lot charge.

We only accept telephone bidding registrations up to the day prior to the lot in question going under the hammer. At the point of registration all new bidders will be required to submit proof of identification and address. This can be either a current driver's licence or ID card showing the registered address, or a passport together with a recent utility bill bearing the registered address which can be emailed to bids@andersonandgarland.com. Only when this identification is received can the registration process be completed and your telephone line will then be secured for you.

As the number of telephone lines are limited, early booking is recommended. (We also recommend that you leave an “emergency cover bid" in case we are unable to reach you by telephone). Please note - there are inherent dangers with telephone bidding; despite our best efforts, Anderson & Garland Ltd. may be unable to contact the intending bidder at the appropriate time. All such arrangements are therefore made entirely at the intending bidder’s risk.

Yes, you can place an absentee bid through our website, up to 30 minutes before the sale day begins.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to how to leave an absentee bid online.

You can also bid live via our website. 

When choosing to bid live online you will need to have registered, using a bank card, to verify your address details. We would ask for you to register before each sale to make sure that you are verified well in advance of your intention to bid on a lot. To register ahead of time, please navigate to the auction calendar page and click on the 'Register to bid' button to the right-hand side of the auction in which you wish to participate.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to register to bid online.

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On the sale day shortly before the auction commences you will be able to gain access to the 'Bid live' screen.  To do this navigate to the auction calendar page and click on the sale, which will have a grey banner across the sale photograph which says 'bid live'.  From 1st April 2024, there is no additional charge to bid live through www.andersonandgarland.com. Alternatively, you can still bid through www.the-saleroom.com which incurs an additional charge of 4.95% plus VAT.

 

If you are unable to attend the sale in person and would like the Auctioneer to bid on your behalf, you can complete an absentee bidding form and hand in to reception at Anderson House by 4.30pm the day before the sale commences. Alternatively you may submit your absentee bids stating the lot numbers and maximum bid on each lot by email to bids@andersonandgarland.com, or by telephoning our team on (0191) 430 3000. We will try to secure the item for you as reasonably as is allowed by other bids and the reserve price, if any. Commissions placed by telephone or e-mail are made only at the buyer's own risk.

All books are sold on a non-returnable basis. We may be able to assist bidders who cannot attend our viewing days by providing general condition reports. These are intended as a guide only and no assumptions should be made concerning absolute condition or that all pages, illustrations, etc. are present. We cannot refund purchase on the basis that a book is incomplete even if a condition report was provided.

We ask tha all potential new bidders wishing to bid on a vehicle, please be aware that prior to the sale they will need to provide full ID in the form of a driving licence/passport and a copy of a utility bill.

Buyer's premium is 10% +VAT on the hammer price.

Agents buying on behalf of a third party must have written authority from their principal clearly stating their authorisation to bid.

We will also require a 10% deposit of the lower estimate at the time of registering, which can be made during the viewing period. If unsuccessful, then we will issue a refund immediately.

There will be no internet bidding on vehicles.

After The Sale

Buyers Premium will be charged at 25% plus VAT

Our payment terms for Fine auctions are within five working days following the sale. For Homes & Interiors and Specialist auctions payment is required within two working days following the sale.

Our methods of payment are bank transfer, credit/debit card, cash or bankers draft; cheques will be subject to full clearance through the banking system before collection of goods. Payments by debit or credit card can be made in person or via our website www.andersonandgarland.com by navigating to the aution tab in the top meu and then selecting 'Invoice payment'

Click below to watch our video guide on how to add shipping, where required, and make payment by card via our website.

Any invoices remaining unpaid by the end of the terms will be subject to an administration charge of £20, plus VAT charged at the prevailing rate. On the fifth working day after all auctions a storage levy of £1 per day per lot, plus VAT charged at the prevailing rate, will be added to your account.

Please see our get in touch page for directions and opening times for collection at Anderson House. If you are instructing a third party to collect on your behalf, please give our team prior notice and ask you representative to bring ID documentation to enable us to verify them and execute properly the collection instructions. In the event that you are unable to collect in person, we are happy to facilitate the collection of your purchases.

Anderson & Garland Ltd offer a shipping service in partnership with Mailboxes Newcastle. You can add shipping to your invoice on our website via the 'My Account' page and the team will make the arrangements for you once your invoice is settled.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to add shipping, where required, and make payment by card via our website.

All lots should be paid for and collected within our payment terms. Lots not paid for by this time will be removed to store at the purchaser's expense. No purchase shall be claimed or removed until it has been paid for and the transaction has been concluded. All purchases shall be paid for and removed by the end of the second working day after the sale, failing which the Auctioneer shall not be responsible if the same are lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, all lots not so removed shall remain at the risk of the buyer and may be subject to a minimum warehousing charge of £1 per lot per day. If they are not paid for and removed within five days of the sale, the Auctioneer may re-offer them by auction or privately without notice to the buyer. Any liability which there may be on the part of the Auctioneer in respect of any loss, shall be restricted to a maximum of the price paid by the buyer of the lot. Buyers paying by cheque must allow for the full clearing process to take place before collecting goods.

In the event that our payment & collection terms are not met, we may without further notice re-offer purchased items for sale. Should there be a shortfall the original purchaser will be liable and damages sought.

Shortly after an auction sale has concluded, a list of items sold will be published.  To access this please navigate to the auctions tab on the top menu bar, then select 'Auction Archives and Results'.

Click below to watch our video guide on how to check sale results on our website.

Need More Help?

If you've got a question, please get in touch - we'd be delighted to help. If you prefer to talk to someone please call us on (0191) 430 3000.