Buying and Selling Guide

GUIDE TO SELLING

Selling with Ramsay Cornish is a straightforward process and we are always at hand to answer any questions you may have.  For single items or small consignments we would advise you in the first instance to email in photographs for a valuer to appraise and who will get back to you with some idea of auction value, or you may find it easier to bring the item(s) down to us in the saleroom where a valuer is always on hand to advise.   For larger consignments or for whole houses, downsizing etc., we would suggest phoning the office in the first instance to discuss and see what the next stage would be, we might suggest initially that you email in a few images of the items you are thinking of selling or we may decide a house call by one of our valuers would be the best first step, we can then guide you through the process, helping with everything from consigning for sale to disposing of any unsaleable items.

Please see our terms and conditions for sellers

 

GUIDE TO BUYING

Bidding at auction has never been easier or more accessible and we are always delighted to help with any questions you may have.  Please take a look at the step-by-step guide below:

Online Bidding

Ramsay Cornish uses thesaleroom as our online bidding platform, this method of bidding allows you to bid from your own home anywhere in the world.  You can share in the auction excitement both seeing and hearing the auctioneer and easily place bids.  Registration is straightforward, initially bidders register with thesaleroom itself to set up your bidding account, then go to our particular auction (found by clicking the green 'view catalogue' button on the current auction catalogue page) and register with your saleroom account details for our sale.  We will then approve you to bid with us.  You can place your bid can be placed in advance of the sale and in real-time during the auction.  Condition reports or further photographs can of course be supplied if you would like further details.

Bid in Person

We aim to make bidding and viewing sales at Ramsay Cornish as enjoyable and accessible as possible.  All in person bidders should register at the office where they will be given a bidder number for each sale.  When bidding in person, we may require photo ID such as passport of driving licence. Viewing is available on the day prior to each sale and on the morning of the sale until the auction starts at 11am.  

Telephone Bidding

Telephone bidding is easy and simple, one of our saleroom team will telephone you for your lot and relay the bidding as it happens and place bids on your behalf.  We accept telephone bids for specialist and themed sales for lots worth at least £200 at the low estimate and for our Interiors auctions at least £100 at the low estimate.  Telephone bids must be received by email, simply email in a list of the lots you would like to bid on with your address (of course) telephone details.  All telephone bids must be requested at least five hours before the auction start time.

Absentee bid

If you are not able to attend the auction or bid online you can submit an Absentee bid stating the limit of your bid and we will bid on your behalf at the lowest possible price up to your limit.  Absentee bids should be emailed in at least five hours before the auction start time.

Post auction

All successful bidders will receive a post sale email shortly after the end of the sale with their invoice.  We accept payment by cash/cheque/bank transfer.  

Collecting items bought at auction:  As we run a busy sale calendar, we require that all goods are collected by the Wednesday following each sale, items can also be collected during the auction.  For larger goods, we can recommend carriers who can offer delivery for a reasonable charge.  For buyers who are further afield, we recommend Mailboxes Edinburgh (0131 652 3672) or Pack and send ((0131 201 2244) or for larger items in the UK we recommend BNR Logistics - 07969 751010 (Enable JavaScript to view protected content. or Alban Shipping - 01582 493099.   Details regarding shipping can also be found on your email accompanying your invoice.

Buyer's commission

Commission for bids made directly through Ramsay Cornish - in person/telephone bids/absentee bids attract a commission of 22%.  Bidding online attracts an additional 5% commission which is charged by thesaleroom.  Vat at the current rate is applied to all commission amounts.  Additional charges such as ARR (Artist's resale rights) may apply.  ARR is applied to European and Australian artists who have died within the last 70 years, it is only applied to qualifying artworks over a value of £1,000, please feel free to ask us if you have any questions regarding this potential charge.  If there are additional charges these will be indicated in the catalogue.  

Please refer to our terms and conditions for buyers

Timed auctions

Ramsay Cornish offers timed auctions which work particularly well for certain categories of item such as coins and banknotes, whisky and spirits, militaria to name a few.   Please see our guide to how timed auctions work.