Buying from an Auction

[pomo_juice]

Hello,

I’ve been eyeing some lots from Bonhams recently and was wondering if anyone had any experiences/tips buying at auctions (specially online auctions)?

AFAIK, for Bonhams, the final price you pay if you win is the hammer price + the premium + shipping (unless you pick up in person)? Are there any other hidden fees I should be aware of?

Additionally, can you request more pics/videos of the lot by contacting the representative the auction house listed for the sale?

Do you have any recourse if by some chance the item the auction house sold to you is inauthentic/grossly misrepresented? Ie., a Cartier bracelet turns out to be a replica, diamond ct is super off, natural gemstone turns out to be synthetic (a lot of their gemstone jewelry is sold without lab certificates for some reason).

Thanks so much for your help and advice in advance

 

[Soseattle]

It would be a good idea to check the terms and conditions of the auction house for answers to some of your questions. Auction house policies can differ between auction houses. Sales tax can also be additional. As far as recourse for misrepresentation, many auction house sales are "as is" and leave it up to the buyer to determine authenticity. Again, check the auction house terms and conditions. Buying at auction is generally a bit riskier for those who are new to purchasing the types of items being sold. You can always ask for additional information about the lot, but it is up to the auction house to decide to provide or not.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

You ask for a condition report if you want
More information, but ask early! It is very much buyer beware.

 

[Bron357]

I have been buying via auction for decades.
With Auctions it’s “buyer beware”.
Fees for buyers include buyers commission, on line bidding can also attract a fee depending on who is hosting the access and payment by credit card will also attract a surcharge depending on card. Most auction houses don’t offer shipping but if they do it’s at your expense and risk.
You can ask for a condition report but they will not supply additional photos. It is therefore recommended to view in person to assess things like wear, scratches, bent prongs, loose gems etc etc.
Gems are either described as per any accompanying valuation/ report or without specific designation of being natural, treated or lab grown and the auction house also doesn’t warrant that the valuation or report is true and valid. It’s supplied “in good faith” but the auction house hasn’t inspected or verified its accuracy. Technically gems could have been replaced or damaged after report creation so they therefore make no guarantees.
Likewise with branded jewellery. They will note that it says Cartier, its says 750, it is a ring size 7.25 but they don’t verify authenticity, it’s offered in good faith without guarantee.
Also once the hammer falls the lot is yours and your responsibility. You can’t change your mind and you must pay and pick up within a few days or you can get charged storage fees.

 

[lovetodream]

I have been buying via auction for decades.
With Auctions it’s “buyer beware”.
Fees for buyers include buyers commission, on line bidding can also attract a fee depending on who is hosting the access and payment by credit card will also attract a surcharge depending on card. Most auction houses don’t offer shipping but if they do it’s at your expense and risk.
You can ask for a condition report but they will not supply additional photos. It is therefore recommended to view in person to assess things like wear, scratches, bent prongs, loose gems etc etc.
Gems are either described as per any accompanying valuation/ report or without specific designation of being natural, treated or lab grown and the auction house also doesn’t warrant that the valuation or report is true and valid. It’s supplied “in good faith” but the auction house hasn’t inspected or verified its accuracy. Technically gems could have been replaced or damaged after report creation so they therefore make no guarantees.
Likewise with branded jewellery. They will note that it says Cartier, its says 750, it is a ring size 7.25 but they don’t verify authenticity, it’s offered in good faith without guarantee.
Also once the hammer falls the lot is yours and your responsibility. You can’t change your mind and you must pay and pick up within a few days or you can get charged storage fees.

Do you buy jewelry from auctions or other things? I’ve bought antiques but have have been scared to jump into gems. Would love to, though, if you have recommendations for online houses to watch!

 

[lulu_ma]

Sadly, sales tax is charged by all U.S. auction houses for items shipped within the country.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I purchased my Tiffany dragonfly brooch from Rago Auctions (Lambertville, NJ) several years ago. It was super easy and I'm completely happy with my purchase. I live far away so I participated completely online. I watched online live as the auction was taking place and placed my bids live. It was a fun adrenaline rush!

 

[autumngems]

I'd love to browse the auctions but the buyer's premiums are ridiculous.

 

[jeaniefish]

I have tons of experience buying on eBay but none with major auction houses , except for a few pieces of furniture. You always have to arrange your own shipping, quite a task, and IDK how small item ( jewelry) shipping is handled at the high end auction houses . I was watching (ok, stalking) an auction that had my dream Butterfly ring…y’all know which one! I didn’t bid because I never dreamed that lot ( 2 rings) would sell for so little. I wasn’t sure about the shipping charges and ,after all the buyer’s premiums are added in , plus the possibility of having to drive to Dallas and pick them up, I just lost my nerve. I just find the whole on line auction house experience to be very daunting…not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced.
Having said all that, they do have beautiful pieces that you will probably never find on eBay. Good luck!

 

[twosanguinehearts]

For Heritage, my total cost was final bid price + premium + tax + shipping, but I still paid under market value for everything I won. For reference, Heritage automatically shipped everything to me around a week and a half or so after I won - there was no need to pick my items up in person or arrange for shipping myself. They didn’t include ring boxes, but my three settings were packaged securely in individual, labeled plastic baggies placed inside soft packaging, packed inside a hard box. They also sent a cool little collectors’ guide booklet for additional funsies.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

For Heritage, my total cost was final bid price + premium + tax + shipping, but I still paid under market value for everything I won. For reference, Heritage automatically shipped everything to me around a week and a half or so after I won - there was no need to pick my items up in person or arrange for shipping myself. They didn’t include ring boxes, but my three settings were packaged securely in individual, labeled plastic baggies placed inside soft packaging, packed inside a hard box. They also sent a cool little collectors’ guide booklet for additional funsies.

This was my exact experience with Christie’s. Jewelry is easy to ship for those in the business. If you don’t like buyer’s premiums, try EBTH or Shop Goodwill auctions. No BP, but they also refuse to combine shipping. Still, less than a BP. I find descriptions and pictures on EBTH to be very accurate, and everything I have bought from them checks out with labs.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I’ll chime in…

My Tiffany oec eternity came from a random auction house in TX. Final auction price + buyers premium fee + tax. Shipping I arranged on my own, I used UPS (that part was a complete nightmare… long story short, I will only use FedEx overnight with an airport pickup moving forward).

Now BP varies… if you use a big online auction house you will pay higher %, less if you go online via the auction houses website, and even less % if you place a phone/absent bid.

There are no returns, so make sure you are educated on what you are bidding on, see it in person if you can… if not, ask for lots of pics/video’s… this is the fun part. They will not look like the pretty pictures and detailed videos we see on PS. So grab some popcorn and be prepared for the best comedy you’ve seen in a while

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

For instance, here’s how low your bar should be for video requests, lol! Poor guy, we went back and forth several times before he finally figured out how to take a good video… or he asked someone else to take it

Here was one piece I was considering before I bought Flora. I would have disassembled it, center stone for the ring, and the other stones for either a bracelet or a couple bands. That center stone was amazing, but it wasn’t certified and my hubby wasn’t on board with such an expensive non-returnable purchase that was on the other side of the world … still love that center, she was just over 9.5ct (13.5mm) and a “GH/VS”… so likely an KL/SI1 … but still…. Those facets, and can you say holy kozibe!!!

After having Flora, I can honestly say 11.3mm is my chefs kiss for size, and 13.5mm would probably have been too big, I’m sure I would have gotten over the initial shock… after all… Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend… and such a best friend she would have been



So I asked for a couple videos …. Popcorn ready?

Video #1

Video #2

And after a few pointers, I asked for a couple more videos …

<insert dramatic suspense music>

Ding! You have mail!

Me: Yesssss!!! Come to me mama!

Opens email and…



Omg, like what?!? Lol! I’m so confused now, lol… did he accidentally send me the wrong pic? Or did I piss him off? I went with the pissed off version, but I mean…. 9.5cts?!? Kozibe for days?!? I have no shame, and message again … “oh, whoops, ignore that photo, I clicked the wrong thing” hahaha…. And here’s the final video:

Video #3

Video #4

She sold for $115k + BP … I keep looking her to pop up somewhere, lol!

 

[pomo_juice]

Shipping I arranged on my own, I used UPS (that part was a complete nightmare… long story short, I will only use FedEx overnight with an airport pickup moving forward).

What happened? I thought FedEx and UPS offered and were similar in terms of service. I was considering shipping UPS for smth since they are usually slightly cheaper than FedEx, but now I'm scared

 

[pomo_juice]

Thank you everyone for the responses! I think I'm just gonna bid if something catches my eye and yolo

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

What happened? I thought FedEx and UPS offered and were similar in terms of service. I was considering shipping UPS for smth since they are usually slightly cheaper than FedEx, but now I'm scared

#1: UPS here doesn’t offer airport pickup

#2: Delayed pick up from auction house

#3: Shipped incorrectly

#4: Item was not insured- I paid for insurance

#5: UPS hold was never approved by original UPS and my package was put back on the truck to go back to TX

I filled out forms ahead of time for overnight shipping, insurance, pick up that same week and a UPS hold in my town- which the rep in TX approved with the one here. All of this was verified over the phone and email prior to the auction ending. All T’s crossed, I’s dotted.

I wasn’t on the first pick up, so my item was picked up a week late. I get an email my item was shipped snail mail, not overnight. This meant not only was I not getting it for Valentine’s Day, but my item would be enroute over a weekend, which I absolutely wanted to avoid. And to add insult to injury, he “forgot to add insurance.” I immediately called the UPS rep I spoke with (who was the exact person who handles all the auction shipping)… “oh, I don’t look at special requests for auctions, there’s so many packages to ship so I ship everyone’s stuff the same.” I was fuming… what I bought was not only irreplaceable, but it has our proposal date on it from 1929… I’m never going to find another one.
“Oops, sorry” - that’s all I got.

Then when it arrived at my UPS, I called to say I was on my way, and the woman on the phone told me my ring was on the truck to go back to TX, because they don’t do holds?!?

Omg…. I’m still fuming and it’s been weeks.

I’ve used FedEx overnight airport pick up 4 times and it’s been a wonderful experience everytime.

 

[pomo_juice]

#1: UPS here doesn’t offer airport pickup

#2: Delayed pick up from auction house

#3: Shipped incorrectly

#4: Item was not insured- I paid for insurance

#5: UPS hold was never approved by original UPS and my package was put back on the truck to go back to TX

I filled out forms ahead of time for overnight shipping, insurance, pick up that same week and a UPS hold in my town- which the rep in TX approved with the one here. All of this was verified over the phone and email prior to the auction ending. All T’s crossed, I’s dotted.

I wasn’t on the first pick up, so my item was picked up a week late. I get an email my item was shipped snail mail, not overnight. This meant not only was I not getting it for Valentine’s Day, but my item would be enroute over a weekend, which I absolutely wanted to avoid. And to add insult to injury, he “forgot to add insurance.” I immediately called the UPS rep I spoke with (who was the exact person who handles all the auction shipping)… “oh, I don’t look at special requests for auctions, there’s so many packages to ship so I ship everyone’s stuff the same.” I was fuming… what I bought was not only irreplaceable, but it has our proposal date on it from 1929… I’m never going to find another one.
“Oops, sorry” - that’s all I got.

Then when it arrived at my UPS, I called to say I was on my way, and the woman on the phone told me my ring was on the truck to go back to TX, because they don’t do holds?!?

Omg…. I’m still fuming and it’s been weeks.

I’ve used FedEx overnight airport pick up 4 times and it’s been a wonderful experience everytime.

I'm so sorry. That's just so frustrating. UPS, step up ur game!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Love love love my FedEx office - so it’s all good. But yea… proceed with caution if using the UPS in Houston TX on Westheimer.

 

[Dreamer_D]

For instance, here’s how low your bar should be for video requests, lol! Poor guy, we went back and forth several times before he finally figured out how to take a good video… or he asked someone else to take it

Here was one piece I was considering before I bought Flora. I would have disassembled it, center stone for the ring, and the other stones for either a bracelet or a couple bands. That center stone was amazing, but it wasn’t certified and my hubby wasn’t on board with such an expensive non-returnable purchase that was on the other side of the world … still love that center, she was just over 9.5ct (13.5mm) and a “GH/VS”… so likely an KL/SI1 … but still…. Those facets, and can you say holy kozibe!!!

After having Flora, I can honestly say 11.3mm is my chefs kiss for size, and 13.5mm would probably have been too big, I’m sure I would have gotten over the initial shock… after all… Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend… and such a best friend she would have been



So I asked for a couple videos …. Popcorn ready?

Video #1

Video #2

And after a few pointers, I asked for a couple more videos …

<insert dramatic suspense music>

Ding! You have mail!

Me: Yesssss!!! Come to me mama!

Opens email and…



Omg, like what?!? Lol! I’m so confused now, lol… did he accidentally send me the wrong pic? Or did I piss him off? I went with the pissed off version, but I mean…. 9.5cts?!? Kozibe for days?!? I have no shame, and message again … “oh, whoops, ignore that photo, I clicked the wrong thing” hahaha…. And here’s the final video:

Video #3

Video #4

She sold for $115k + BP … I keep looking her to pop up somewhere, lol!

Yanno what’s funny is I actually think the first videos are not bad compared to a lot of eBay pictures! I can tell is beautifully cut… but yeah for $100k it’s pretty ridiculous.

That brooch is stunning I wish someone keeps it as-is!

 

[RRfromR]

This was from an auction and I absolutely adore it. It's a pain to bid from abroad as an individual. A lot of auction houses require a commercial license, shipping and taxes are a major PITA, and lately both the auction house and the buyer need to certify that the diamonds are not mined from Russia for international shipping. So there is even less appetite for selling to US.
The local resellers also have the advantage of seeing the pieces and assessing damages and flaws.
It's an old and established industry and they don't want the retail customer in their business.
My most treasured items and best buys were from local estate sales and local antique stores.

 

[lulu_ma]

If you’re US based don’t forget to tack on the tariffs. Antiques used to be exempt, but I’ve heard it’s a mixed bag lately. Someone was just charged 20% on an antique piece from the EU