Important Information

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Storage
Items not collected within two weeks of the sale date will be moved into storage and fees applied at a rate of £5 per lot per week. Items uncollected after two months will be resold and storage charges deducted.

Registration
Bidders are required to register their details before bidding.

Bidding
Currently our auctions are conducted as a “timed auction”.  Bidding closes on the lots consecutively from a specific time on the last day of the auction. Please check auction details.  This means that the bidding on Lot 1 closes first, then Lot 2 at 20 seconds later, and so on.  If a bid is placed on a Lot in the last 2 minutes then the closing time of that Lot is extended for another 5 minutes, and this will keep happening until such time as there are no more bids on that Lot.

In completing the bidder registration on www.the-saleroom.com and providing your card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Thimbleby and Shorland, you:

1.  Authorise Thimbleby & Shorland, if they so wish, to charge the card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via the-saleroom.com, and

2.  Confirm that you are authorised to provide these card details to Thimbleby & Shorland through www.the-saleroom.com and agree that Thimbleby and Shorland are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.

VAT
Very occasionally there are lots that carry VAT on the hammer price.  This fact will be recorded in the description of that lot.

Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme
The Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme allows items to be sold without VAT on the hammer price in most circumstances.  Under the Margin Scheme, the amount equivalent to VAT at the current rate which is included in both the Buyers’ Premium and Internet Charge, is not recoverable.  The VAT element will not be shown separately on the Buyer’s invoice.

Descriptions
All lots have been described to the best of our ability, and from information supplied.  No liability whatsoever is undertaken in respect of faults, deficiencies or errors of description either oral or printed.

We will provide Condition Reports on request, including additional photographs and videos.  However please recognise that verbal reports on the condition of any lot can only be offered by the Auctioneers as a statement of opinion, and not fact. The Auctioneers are not liable for any errors or omissions contained therein. Condition Reports are for guidance only.  The Auctioneers will not be held responsible for any damage or defect that has not been notified to the buyer. Catalogue illustrations are for guidance only and will not convey full information as to the actual condition of lots.

Where the term (a/f) is used this refers to a lot being ‘as found’.  It is used for guidance only and indicates that in our opinion there is significant damage or repair to an item. The omission of this term does not indicate there is not significant damage or repair to an item and the Auctioneers are not liable for the omission of this term.

Electrical Goods
These are sold as “Antiques or Works of Art” only.  If you buy electrical goods for use you must ask a qualified electrician to check them for compliance with safety regulations before you use them.

Gemstone Treatment
Many gemstones on the market have been treated so as to augment their appearance, in a reversible or permanent manner.  Treatments under the present section may be but not limited to:
*  Heat treatment to enhance sapphires & rubies’ clarity & colour
*  Oil & resin treatments for emeralds applied in different ways, to enhance clarity of the stone
*  Staining
*  Irradiation
*  Coating

Estimates provided by Thimbleby & Shorland are deemed to be based on the fact that the gemstone may have been subject to any type of treatment in the past.  Thimbleby & Shorland shall not be responsible in the absence of mention thereof.

A certificate may be issued by a laboratory, providing detailed information on the condition of the gemstone & any treament applied thereto.  The Buyer must be aware that different laboratories have different approaches as to the degree or type of treatment for a particular gemstone.  If a certificate accompanies the Lot, the Buyer must be aware that it is merely a statement of the laboratory’s opinion & in no way can Thimbleby & Shorland be held responsible for any mentions therein.  Such certificates are deemed to be delivered with the Lot for information purposes only.

CITES Import and Export Restrictions – Lots marked with *
Certain goods offered for sale may be subject to laws governing export from the country where it was purchased and import into another country. It is the buyer’s responsibility to be aware of these restrictions and obtain any relevant licenses. Certain endangered species are listed in the CITES Convention. Listed specimens and any parts or products thereof are subject to issuance of an export permit when leaving Great Britain (England,Scotland and Wales).

Appendix I species are also subject to issuance of a prior import permit from the country in which the goods are to be imported. Such permits are necessary before applying for export permits and it is the Buyer’s duty to initiate the proceedings with the relevant authority. The Buyer must be aware that certain countries prohibit the import of some species or any parts or products derived thereof. For example, the United States prohibits all import of African elephant ivory, and any item containing parts that may merely resemble African elephant ivory must be accompanied by relevant documentation stating it is not. Please be aware that all Lots marked with the symbol ‘*’ are subject to CITES regulations.

Limitation of liability regarding CITES export licenses.
Where licences are required for importing or exporting outside of Great Britain, it is the Buyer’s duty to obtain them. Thimbleby & Shorland cannot be held responsible if the Buyer’s application for an export permit is unsuccessful. Subsequently, in the event of failure thereof, Thimbleby & Shorland shall not permit cancellation or rescission of the sale.

Invoices and Collection
No sale is confirmed to an online bidder until an invoice has been issued.  If the buyer cannot collect in person then please see above re packing and postage.

All lots are at the risk of the buyer from the fall of the hammer and you are strongly advised to effect insurance immediately.  All lots must be paid for immediately and removed from site as soon as possible after the auction.