Buying at Auction

We host around 25 auctions per year, the majority are live auctions taking place in real time on a scheduled date, alongside a calendar of online-only timed auctions in which you are able to leave bids in advance.

We make buying at auction enjoyable and uncomplicated, whether you choose to visit our salerooms and bid in person, or participate online from anywhere in the world. We also provide a telephone bidding service, should you like one of our team to bid on your behalf.

All of our auctions have illustrated cataloguing on our website. As part of our efforts to reduce unnecessary print we no longer have a printed catalogue for every auction. If the auction appeals to you, we welcome you to come and view the sale at our premises or on location for offsite auctions. Viewing times will be published on our website and in the catalogue ahead of time.

Each lot has an estimated guide price that gives an indication of the anticipated sale result. The hammer price may be higher or lower than the estimate, depending on demand. Some items have a reserve price and cannot be sold below that figure. Please note, reserves are never higher than the bottom estimate. For further guidance on lot value and interest, simply contact the relevant department specialist.

Condition Reports

Given the nature and age of many of the items we offer for sale, we recommend requesting a condition report in advance of the auction. These reports provide further detail on any condition-related issues noted by our specialists.

Condition reports will be available to view via the online catalogue when published, or can be requested by emailing condition@dukes-auctions.com.

Please note that we receive a high volume of requests for additional information prior to each auction. While we endeavour to respond to all enquiries as promptly as possible, full condition reports may not be available until the final days leading up to the sale.

Bidding

To participate in an auction, you will need to register to bid by creating an account on our website; we recommend doing this in advance of the auction date to ensure processing time.

In Person

Once registered, a bidding paddle can be allocated to you on the day of the sale from our sale day office.

Absentee Bidding

If you are unable to attend a sale in person, Duke’s Auctioneers is pleased to offer an absentee bidding service. We will bid on your behalf and endeavour to purchase the lot at the lowest possible price, taking into account other bids and any reserve, up to your pre-submitted maximum bid.

Absentee bids may be submitted:

Online via your Duke’s Auctioneers account
In person at our saleroom
By email or post (please ensure you provide your full name, postal address, email address, contact telephone number, and the required forms of identification so that your bid can be registered)

All absentee bids are confirmed by email. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact us to ensure your instructions have been received.

Absentee bids must be submitted no later than one hour before the start of the sale. Where two or more identical absentee bids are received on the same lot, priority will be given to the first bid received.

To leave an absentee bid for a forthcoming sale, please visit our website.

Telephone Bidding

Bidding by telephone allows you to participate live in the auction by speaking directly with a member of our staff in the saleroom. Your operator will relay the auctioneer’s bids to you and place bids on your behalf as instructed.

Telephone bidding is generally available for lots with a low estimate exceeding £500. Requests must be made by 4pm on the day prior to the sale.

Please note that all bid amounts are subject to the buyer’s premium.

Timed Online Auctions

Once you have registered and logged in to your online account, you will be able to bid in our timed online auctions. Please note that commission (absentee) bids cannot be placed on your behalf in timed auctions.

Browse the auction to view the lots you are interested in. Each lot page displays the current bid along with our guide estimates. You may place or amend your maximum bid at any time while the lot remains open for bidding.

All bids are subject to a buyer’s premium of 30% (including VAT), payable in addition to the hammer price. For Vehicle auctions, a reduced buyer’s premium of 12% (including VAT) applies.

A countdown timer is displayed beneath each lot, showing the time remaining before bidding closes. Lots will close sequentially, one at a time, in lot number order.

If you are outbid at any point during the auction, you will receive an email notification, allowing you to increase your bid if you wish.

If a new highest bid is placed within the final five minutes before a lot is due to close, the closing time for that lot will be automatically extended by a further five minutes. This process will continue until no further bids are placed. As bidding activity is often highest during these final moments, we recommend monitoring your lots closely.

If you are unable to follow the auction through to its conclusion, you may enter your maximum bid and select Set Max Bid. Duke’s will then bid automatically on your behalf up to and including this amount.

You can view and manage your current bids at any time by logging into your online account.

Payment

All purchased lots are subject to a buyer’s premium which is 25% (plus VAT) on the hammer price. Payments can be made by credit or debit card online (payment links can be requested), BACS, in person or over the phone. Please note, phone payments with credit cards have a maximum of £500.

Collection & Shipping

Our offices are open Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm for collections in person (up to 5 working days after the auction date).

Unfortunately, Duke's are unable to offer a postal or delivery service. We are pleased to recommend the following reputable carriers. For advise on air-freight and other forms of dispatch please contact us directly.

Lots will not be released until they have been paid for in full. The cost of shipping or despatch must be paid directly to the shipping company concerned. Written authorisation from the purchaser is required before we can release goods to a shipper. As we do not have packing facilities, we are unable to pack your lots for collection by your chosen shipper or carrier. Therefore, if you plan to arrange your own transport, please ensure that the company you employ understands they will also be responsible for packing the items.

For smaller items:

Post my Parcels:

Tel: 01202 530537

Email: info@postmyparcels.com

Mailboxes:

Tel: 01202 299151

Email: info@mbebh1.co.uk

Bid & Box:

Tel: 07871 799913

Email: sales@bidandbox.com

For larger shipments:

Alban Shipping: