Newbie Sellers
We welcome first-time sellers and are happy to guide you through the process, whether you're selling a single item or a full collection.
The Auction House North Shields welcomes first-time buyers, and we are happy to guide you on how it works and what you will need to do to participate. Please come and see us and call us to talk it through. In the meantime, below is a brief 4-step guide.
Step 1: Check out the auction calendar
Firstly, check out the auction calendar for when the sales are taking place and the dates you can come along and view what’s for sale prior to the actual auction taking place. There are seven viewing days to pick from prior to each auction.
Step 2: Take a look at the auction lots
Then you are all set to take a look at all the auction lots, which will be presented in the auction house on tables and in racking. You may also download the catalogue which will be available on the first viewing day of each new auction,
Step 3: Complete a registration form
Upon arrival, please find a member of staff who will supply you with a vendor's registration form and bidding form.
Step 4: Note down the lot number
If you see items you would like to bid on, then note down the lot number on the bidding form. Condition reports are available if unable to attend the auction in person.
You now have two options
You may write down how much you are prepared to bid up to next to the lot number/s and leave an absentee bid by handing the form into a member of staff. We will then contact you if you have been the winning bid, and you can come and collect/pay for your item on the day after the auction has finished or contact us to arrange collection within 7 days.
The other option is to come to the live auction, where you will be issued with a paddle which has a number on it, and this is linked to your vendor’s registration to identify who is bidding. Each item for sale will be announced in turn, listen to the auctioneer for the starting price, and if you want to bid at that price, raise your paddle. The price will go up in increments until all bidders are out except the last one. If you are the last one to bid, then the item is yours.
When working out how much you are going to bid, don’t forget that 15% is added to the final sale price.
There will be seating and standing room available, and seats can be reserved for customers who have placed at least one absentee bid. Remaining seating and standing room will be on a first come basis due to our capacity. It’s therefore advised to leave bids in order not to be disappointed if we are at full capacity upon arrival. There is also parking for 40 cars just across the road from the auction house, less than 2 minutes walk.
