Buying At Auction

Buying at auction is exciting and fun, and at Auctions Imperial we are pleased to assist in making your experience with us a great one. Our specialists are dedicated to offering the very finest arms, armour, and historical artifacts to add to your collection. Here's how it works.

Search our catalogue, either in print or on our website, Auctionsimperial.com, for the items that you are interested in purchasing. Examine them during the pre-sale exhibition and/or speak with one of our specialists and decide how much you're willing to invest. Now you're ready to bid.

Making a purchase at Auctions Imperial is simple. There are four basic steps:

1) Bidder registration
2) Placing a bid
3) Settling your account
4) Picking up your property or arranging for shipping

Bidder Registration
A bidder registration form is provided with each catalog and is also available on our website, as an online form or in PDF format. Fill out the form and submit it, fax it to us, mail it in, or pass it directly to a member of our staff. You will then be given a client number. You can also bid online through the online catalog, or using either the eBay Live Auction service or Proxibid for items such as firearms that are disallowed on eBay.

Bidding in Person
To bid in person, you will need to complete the bidder registration form and collect a numbered paddle before the auction begins. Please remember to bring a government-issued proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or passport, with you. If you are a first-time bidder, you will also be asked for your address, telephone number, and signature in order to create your account. In addition, you may be asked to provide a bank reference. If you are bidding on behalf of a third party, you will need to provide a notarized affidavit from that person authorizing you to bid on his/her behalf.

To place your bid, simply raise your paddle until the auctioneer acknowledges you. You will know when your bid has been acknowledged; the auctioneer will not mistake a random gesture for a bid. The bidding increments are determined by the auctioneer, and will usually not exceed ten percent of the previous bid. The auctioneer will take increasing bids on each lot, until only one bidder remains. The final bidder purchases the lot. A sale lot may have a reserve, which is the confidential minimum selling price previously agreed upon with the seller. If the bidding fails to reach the reserve price, the lot will remain unsold.

Absentee Bids
If you are unable to attend the auction in person, we will be happy to execute written bids on your behalf. This service is free and confidential.

Auctions Imperial has provided an absentee bid form at the back of each catalog, also available as a download on Auctionsimperial.com, which you may use to indicate the item upon which you wish to bid and the maximum bid amount you are willing to make. If you do not have an account with us already, your absentee bid form will contain the information required for registration, and we will contact you prior to the auction to confirm your identity.

Completed absentee bid forms may be returned to the bid department at Auctions Imperial by fax (preferred), by post, or in person with any client service staff member. Auctions Imperial must have received the bid form at least 24 hours prior to the start of the auction in order to place bids on your behalf.

When we execute an absentee bid on your behalf, the lot will always be bought for the lowest increment that exceeds all competing bids and which meets or exceeds the reserve price. In the event of identical bids, the earliest received will take precedence. Auctions Imperial requires all non-US bidders to advance a deposit equal to 1/3 of the value of bids placed.

You may also use the Absentee Bid form to indicate more than one item on which you would like to bid, depending upon whether your earlier bid is successful (an "or" bid). We are not able to execute "Buy" or unlimited bids.

Written and telephone bids are offered as an additional service at no extra charge, and at the buyer's risk. Auctions Imperial cannot accept liability for failure to place such bids.

Successful absentee bidders will receive an invoice after the auction.

Telephone Bids
For most auctions, you may also use the absentee bid form to register for telephone bidding. Based on the information you provide on the form, an Auctions Imperial representative will contact you from the saleroom prior to your specified lot(s) and will relay your bids to the auctioneer. As the number of telephone lines is limited, it is necessary to make arrangements for this service 48 hours before the sale.

Telephone bids are accepted at the sole discretion of Auctions Imperial and at the prospective buyer's risk. Telephone bidding lines may be recorded for the security of both parties, and by bidding on the telephone prospective buyers consent thereto.

Internet Bidding
Auctions Imperial may accept Internet bidding via the eBay Live Auctions service. The availability of this service is noted on a per-sale basis in the catalogue and on AuctionsImperial.com. You must pre-register through eBay Live Auctions at least 48 hours prior to the auction in order to bid online.

Buyer's Premium & Tax
Please note that Auctions Imperial Buyer's Premium and any local taxes will be payable on successful bids. Thus the "hammer price" - the actual winning bid - is smaller than the amount the purchaser will pay. Consult an Auctions Imperial representative for more information before placing a bid. The buyer will be responsible for any duties or VAT required upon importation into another country. For auctions held in the state of Maryland, resellers wishing to obtain tax-exempt status must present a valid Maryland reseller's license. This can be obtained online here.

Payment
You may pay with cash (may be subject to certain restrictions and legal limits), check, money order or wire transfer. We also accept VISA and MasterCard (subject to certain restrictions and fees). Contact Auctions Imperial to determine payment methods. Overseas wire transfers must be received in the full USD amount. A 2% discount is available for payments remitted by cash or money order.

You may pay for your purchase immediately after the auction by going to the cashier onsite, or an invoice will be mailed to you within three days of the sale. If you pay by check, we ask for your patience as your purchase will only be released upon notice that your check has cleared. Payments must come from the invoiced party only - Auctions Imperial is unable to accept third-party payments.

Pickup and Delivery
Upon payment, you may pick up your purchases at the auction location or arrange to have them shipped. All purchases should be picked up or shipped within ten business days after the auction. After that time, your property will be subject to a handling charge and you may be charged for storage. If you are interested in shipping, our staff will assist you with shipping and insurance arrangements. Auctions Imperial provides packing and shipping services for a very reasonable fee.

Terms and Conditions
All prospective buyers are reminded that they are bound by Auctions Imperial Terms and Conditions, details of which may be found at the back of all Auctions Imperial catalogues.

Grades of Condition
Auctions Imperial incorporates the following criteria for grading of condition:

I. Excellent -- Fine condition, without apparent repairs or restorations.
II. Very Good -- Showing minor age wear, without apparent repairs or restorations.
III. Good -- Light to moderate age wear, may have minor defects, with possible repairs or restorations.
IV. Fair -- Item with moderate to heavy age wear.
V. As Found -- Item with heavy wear, possibly significant defects