Auctions - Fees and Charges

What is Buyers Premium?

Buyers Premium is a percentage added to the hammer/final price of a winning Bid. Auctions that are subject to a buyer's premium are indicated in the auction header. The value is a percentage and is plus VAT (at the current UK rate) to ALL buyers.
 
Do I pay VAT on my Auction Purchase? 

VAT will be charged on all lots indicated Taxable (at the current UK rate), if sold to purchasers resident in the E.E.C or collected from our premises by an overseas bidder.
 
Can I pay for auction purchases by credit card and if so is there a charge? 

We are now able to accept payment by means of the following cards:

• Debit Cards: Switch/Maestro, Visa Debit card, Delta, Solo etc. (no service charge)
• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, (service charge of 1.79%) -
• Charge Cards: Diners, Amex (service charge of 4.25%)

The service charge (current charge by Card Company) will be added to the invoice total after the buyers premium, postage and packaging and all other charges. If you wish to use a card not listed, please call our Auction Department on +44 (0)20 7836 8444 for details.

Can I obtain photocopies of auction lots? 

Black and white photocopies of most lots in an auction can be supplied on request.

Charges are 50p per photocopy (minimum charge of £3), or £3 per colour photocopy (20 copies maximum per request), plus postage (airmail where necessary).

Please supply a self addressed envelope and clearly state the sale date, lot numbers and details of copies required (i.e. number required, front/back, etc.)

Payment with the order can be accepted in sterling banknotes and cheques but please note that we must respectfully decline for this service by overseas credit cards.We regret that the following categories of lots are not available for photocopying:

Lots housed in albums and boxes
Lots of a fragile nature which would require special handling.

Do I pay Storage Charges? 

Storage charges will be levied on auction lots that remain on our premises after the expiration of three months from the date of sale. Such charges will be applicable to lots that have been paid for but not collected, and to lots that are unsold but which have not been re-offered.

The storage charge will be 1% of the hammer price for purchased lots or 1% of the lower estimate for unsold lots with a minimum charge of £10 per month.

If the material is not claimed within twelve months of the date of sale, Stanley Gibbons Ltd shall be entitled to dispose of the material to defray accrued storage charges.