We aim to make it as easy and straightforward as possible to bid at Keys' auctions.
In Person
Buyers are welcome (encouraged!) to attend the auction, and to bid in person on the lots being offered. At Keys we encourage attendance and bidding in person for all of our auctions (excepting a few online "timed" sales).
Attending an auction can be an enjoyable day out, and there is no need to worry about the auctioneer taking a sneeze as a bid!
All bidders need to register with the auctioneers office prior to bidding, and obtain a buyer number. As soon as you have finished bidding, you may pay for and collect your items. You might even enjoy a cup of coffee or a bite to eat with friends at our on-site Coffee Sho while you are visiting, or perhaps spot an item you wish to purchase in another forthcoming auction.
Online
You may leave a maximum bid prior to the auction on our website, or you may bid “live” during the auction from your computer, tablet or phone as if you were in the saleroom!
Simply register using the "CREATE ACCOUNT" link at the top right of the website, either leave bids on any lot in advance of the sale or join us to follow the auction "live" online, with a real-time video and audio feed directly from the auctioneer; a click of a button on your computer, tablet or phone relays the bid immediately to the saleroom.
Absentee Bid
If you are unable to attend the auction, or would prefer for us to bid on your behalf (up to a maximum amount), you may leave an absentee, or commission, bid. These can be submitted either via our website (as above), by email (in which case we will acknowledge receipt), or even the old-fashioned way by filling in a paper form at the salerooms when viewing and handing it to one of our staff.
Please ensure that all absentee bids, however sent, are with us at least thirty minutes prior to the start of the auction to ensure that they are actioned.
Telephone Bid
For our Fine Art and Specialist sales we offer a telephone bidding service, whereby a member of staff will contact you just prior to the item being offered, and relay your bidding via the telephone to the auctioneer.
Please note that telephone line availability is limited, and that telephone bidders will be required to also leave an absentee bid at the low estimate on the lot to secure booking their line.
Additional Charges for Buyers
All lots sold at Keys usually attract a Buyers Premium.This is currently charged at 25% on our fine art, antiques & specialist sales, and at 22% on our weekly sales (this may vary occasionally on timed and non-regular sales so please ensure that you check the premium rate displayed on the "Buyers Information" tab on the auction listing).
All online "live" bidders pay an additional premium to the-saleroom.com for this service of 3.95% if registered via our website, or 4.95% if registered via the-saleroom.com.
(Please note that all of our charges are subject to VAT at the current standard rate, other than for zero- and non-VAT rated items, e.g. Books. Occasionally, there may be VAT payable on the hammer price, usually for commercial and asset sales, in which case these will be detailed in the online catalogues).
Payment, Collection and Delivery
Please note that payment for purchases is due as soon as the auction ends. Successful bidders may pay in person on the day of the sale, or online via our secure payment portal at keysauctions.co.uk/account/makepayment. There is a direct link to our online payments page included with the email invoice which is sent to all bidders once the auction has finished.
Buyers should ensure that they carefully note the collection details for each sale – for weekly sales, purchased items need to be collected either on sale day or the following day wherever possible, by prior appointment after that, but by end of the week of the auction at the latest (due to the quick turnaround and high number of lots every week) - our weekly saleroom is only open for collection by prior appointment.
For antiques, fine art and specialist sales, all lots should be paid for and collected within a maximum of seven days of the sale. If you are unable to collect within the allocated times, please do contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you, and avoid any unnecessary handling or storage charges being added to your account.
In some cases we may be able to assist with delivery or postage; please see the relevant online catalogue for details.
If you have any questions at all about buying from our auctions, our staff are always delighted to talk you through the process - please do not hesitate to contact us.
