BuyersInformation

Buyers premium

15% buyers premium will be added to all accounts. VAT is chargeable on this commission.

Condition of Lots

Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves as to the condition of every lot before bidding.

Condition Reports

Condition Reports are available for absentee bidders. Prospective buyers who have not viewed any lots and wish to leave a commission bid are advised to obtain a condition report before placing a bid. It is the responsibility of the bidder to ask all pertinent questions when receiving a condition report. Opinions will only be given by us on the condition of any lot. Digital images of lots are available. Both services are free of charge.

Payment

Accounts are due for payment immediately after the conclusion of any auction. Buyers invoiced by post for purchases are required to settle by return. We accept cash, cheque, and debit cards. We accept all major credit cards but a small urcharge is applied for this service.
NOTE: Buyers not known to us who wish to pay by cheque will need to make prior arrangement for their bank to contact our office by Fax to validate their cheque before purchases will be released.

Paddle Bidding

Paddle bidding operates for all our auctions. You must register at the saleroom office before the commencement of any auction and obtain a bidding number in order to bid.

Viewing

Viewing times are shown at the front of each catalogue and on the homepage of this website. Viewing is not available outside these viewing times.

Commission Bidding

We will be pleased to bid on your behalf if you are unable to attend any auction. Lots will always be bought as cheaply as possible subject to other bidding or reserves. You may submit a commission bid by telephone, e-mail, fax or post. If possible, please submit bids by the day before the auction.

Telephone Bidding

If you wish to bid by telephone, this can be arranged. Telephone bidding is not available for low value lots or for our General Auctions. You are urged to book a line as early as possible as a limited number of lines are available for this service. The service is free of charge. We contact you and require you to be available at the approximate time you will be given when you book your telephone line. We do not accept responsibility for any lot missed by any telephone bidder who cannot be contacted at the time specified.

Clearing Purchases

Items may be cleared during any auction if this is practicable and up to one hour after the end of the auction.

It is a requirement of purchase that all items must be collected by 4.00pm of the first working day after any auction. STORAGE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SOLD ITEMS.

Dispatch of Purchases

Absentee bidders must make their own arrangements for the collection of lots purchased. Buyers who are unable to collect purchases can arrange packing and shipping with specialist packers Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) of Plymouth on 01752 257224 (office hours) or 07979 593628 (out of hours). For larger consignments and furniture contact A.R. Newport Haulage on 01736 361938. Both are independent packers and carriers and all enquiries should be made directly to them.

Lays do not operate an in-house packing and shipping service. However, for a packing fee and cost of postage we are able to post small items. These items will be sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery (whose maximum insurance value is £2500) and must meet their requirements. Agreement from the saleroom is needed before packing such items.

We will not post overseas or pack and post ceramics, glass and pictures.
Alternatively, you may wish to instruct a courier to pack and collect items for you.
If you instruct a courier to collect direct from Lays, please note that we shall only wrap the purchased item (using recycled materials) when we feel confident to do so. 14 days notice is required for this service. This service is not available for paintings.