I've never been to an auction before. How do I bid on a lot?
Bidding with Duggleby Stephenson couldn't be simpler. When you arrive, speak to one of our helpful members of staff at the front desk. Tell them which sale you'd like to bid in (you can register for as many as you like!), give them your details and email address, and they'll print you off a bidding number or 'paddle'. This paddle will only be valid for that specific auction, so when you come to bid in a future sale, make sure to ask for a new number. Then, take a seat and wait for the sale to begin - while you're waiting, why not grab a bite to eat or drink from our café? We serve a good selection of farmhouse fayre, cakes and sweet treats, and hot and cold drinks.
Once the sale is underway, you'll be able to bid for your lot. The auctioneer will read out the number and a description of each lot is sold, and an image of it will be displayed on a large TV screen, so it's easy to keep track of the sale. To bid, simply raise your paddle in the air, and the auctioneer will acknowledge your bid. Once you get more experienced, you'll be able to bid with a nod of your head or even a raise of your eyebrows! If you are the successful bidder, you can pay for your lot straight away; small items and pictures can be collected immediately, but we ask that you wait until after the sale to collect furniture.
I can't attend the sale in person. Can I still bid?
Yes! There are multiple ways to bid on lots when you can't make the sale.
Commission bidding - A commission bid is where you leave the maximum amount you would be willing to pay for a lot, and the auctioneer will bid up to this amount on your behalf. This does not mean that the amount you leave is the amount you will necessarily have to pay. For instance, if you leave a commission bid of £200 on a lot, and the highest bid in the room for that lot is £100, then you will win that lot for £110, plus commission. Commission bids can be left in person, by filling out a bidding form (available at the front desk), over the phone, or through our website: simply click on the lot you would like to bid on, enter your maximum bid, click 'place bid', and the bid will be added to your basket. Once you have entered all your bids, go to your basket, login, and place your bids!
Live bidding - All of our auctions are broadcast live on the internet, meaning you can bid on them as if you were in the room. Simply find the auction you would like to bid in on our website, click 'Bid Live' at the top of the page, and click 'Register to Bid'. Please note, your account for online bidding is separate to your regular Duggleby Stephenson account, so even if you have bid with us in person before, you will need to re-register to bid live.
How do I pay for my lots?
Duggleby Stephenson accept payment by: cash, cheque, debit card, or BACS transfer. Please note we do not accept credit cards. We ask that all lots are paid for 5 working days after the auction.
All successful bidders will receive an invoice via email, along with a link to secure, online payment. All lots are subject to buyer's premium of 22% plus VAT.
I can't collect my items in person. Can they be delivered?
Yes! We offer a comprehensive packing, postage and delivery service. To receive a delivery quote, find your lot on our website, and enter your postcode for a delivery quote. After the sale, you will receive a complete delivery quote to your registered address. For international delivery, please call us on +44 (0) 1904 393 300 for a personalised quote.
We have a dedicated in-house postage and packing department, ensuring your fragile or precious items are delivered with the utmost protection. We also have a fleet of vans which allow us to deliver larger items and furniture nationwide. There is no item too large for us to deliver! If you would prefer to arrange your own courier or collection, we can pack your items ready for collection for a small fee.
In certain circumstances, you may need the item storing for a while following the sale, for example if you are moving house. We have a dedicated Storage Facility in Scarborough, where we can store your items before we deliver them to you.