Why Sell At Auction?
Due to the complexity and nuance involved in the global fine art and antique market, selling at auction very often offers the most convenient and lucrative way to sell such goods privately.
We work exclusively as agents with the vendor as our principle. This means that we have a contractual duty of care (as well as direct material interest) to secure the very best price possible for all goods sold with us. If we feel that on any rare occasion another route to sale will generate a better result for the vendor, we will always openly advise you of this.
Selling at auction doesn’t just provide the best possible return, but it unburdens the seller of all the work and any worry associated with the private sale process - from researching to accurate cataloguing, photography, promotion, sale, collection of funds and accounting - we do it all so you don’t have to.
Why Sell With Wotton Auction Rooms?
With generations of trusted experience in the ever-evolving antique and fine art world, we are perfectly positioned to maximise return as we bring your precious objects to sale in today’s global auction market place.
We now routinely assist the third and fourth generations of families across the wider region who have trusted our proven track record of excellent results delivered with integrity - with customer experience at the forefront of all we do – but don’t take our word for it, read our latest client testimonials here from new and returning clients alike.
All goods offered for sale with Wotton are delivered directly to the forefront of today’s global market – meaning that we access the full buying power of bidders from across the globe, ensuring your items reach their full value and potential.
This is achieved through us proactively embracing the very latest online auction platform technology and accompanying digital marketing, interwoven with the trusted connections we have forged with private collectors and leading buyers in the trade which we’ve honed over the decades we’ve been in business.
All lots sold at Wotton are proactively marketed to buyers through our in-house mailing list which has been developed over generations, alongside regular national and international press coverage, market-specific publication advertisement and editorial alongside a highly developed programme of online promotion.
Whether a single item or an entire property’s contents, we are here to help and pride ourselves on providing a truly comprehensive service which delivers the best results and experience for our vendors.
In today’s auction market, many auction houses have implemented increasingly high minimum lot value criteria - meaning that they are unable to assist with items below a certain value or even refusing certain market areas altogether, thus offering a service often only for the highest value items in a property or collection, leaving you needing to make other arrangements for what may be left after this.
At Wotton, we take pride in providing a truly comprehensive auction solution – this means we will handle any and all viable consignments, routinely handling pieces ranging from just £80 to over £100,000 in value. Regardless of the value of an account, estate or collection – we offer all our clients the same service which is focussed on the client’s needs and experience before anything else.
Throughout all of our sales, items are handled, appraised and curated by our team of highly experienced in-house departmental specialists alongside a highly developed roster of specialist consultant colleagues. This means that whatever you are looking to sell, we have the experience and knowledge to secure the very best result possible. Click here to read more about the variety and breadth of pieces we are here to assist you with.
Click here to learn more about our team.
Click here to discover our full offer of service to include transport to and from the sale, house clearance, valuations for all purposes and more.
Convenience And Communication
Whether items are appraised in your home, over the counter at our auction galleries or at an off-site valuation event, you will always be issued with a consignment contract and receipt. This provides you with a clearly itemised list of the pieces consigned together with our full terms and conditions.
At the point of consignment, auction estimates and any reserves will be discussed and agreed.
Ahead of each auction, you will be issued with an itemised pre-sale notice via email which will clearly list all auction lots with full descriptions, estimates, reserves and photography for you to approve before the sale – keeping you fully informed and in control of the process at all times.
Promptly following the auction, you will be issued with a post-sale summary which lists all auction lots with hammer price results and a summary of what you are owed (excluding our fees) alongside advice regarding any unsold lots if applicable.
Payment is then made via secure bank transfer to account details provided at the point of consignment, typically within 21 days of the auction date.
What Are Your Seller’s Fees?
- Our standard vendor’s commission is 15% of the hammer price plus 1.5% charged for loss & warranty (insurance).
- The standard commission rate drops to 10% of the hammer price plus 1.5% charged for loss & warranty (insurance) for any lots sold for £5,000 (hammer price) or more.
- All lots are subject to a lotting fee of £3.50.
- All charges are subject to VAT
- We photograph all lots sold with us for catalogue listing and marketing / promotion and no additional photography / illustration fee is charged.
An example of this based on an auction lot selling with a hammer price of £500:
- 15% vendor’s commission: £75
- 1.5% Loss & warranty (insurance): £7.50
- Lotting fee: £3.50
- Total fees: £86
- VAT @ 20% of £86: £17.20
- Total fees (inc) VAT £103.20
Final payment to seller: £396.80.
How Do I Consign With Wotton Auction Rooms?
Click here to request a valuation and start your auction journey with us.