Information for Buyers

Southams offer you this guide, which outlines the process of buying at their auction. You should also read our Conditions of Sale before buying.

Sign up to our mailing list to be kept informed of future sales, catalogue release dates and consignment entries – click here

Before the Sale

Forthcoming Sales

The first step in buying at auction is to find out when they take place! We hold four sales of Sporting Guns & Antique Arms each year, usually in March, June, September and December. Sign up to receive reminders of upcoming sales here.

Catalogues

The next step is to find out what is being offered in the sale. Our illustrated sales catalogues are available online or from our offices for £10.00 (£14.00 by post within the UK). Click here to sign up for an annual Catalogue Subscription.

Prior to the auction, a fully illustrated and browse-able online catalogue is available via southamsauction.co.uk

Condition Reports

Once you have found a lot that interests you, you can obtain a condition report by contacting the administration office.

Registering to Bid

If you want to bid you must register with Southams. We use a buyer number system like many other auctioneers. If you will be attending the auction in person, we will need your name and address and if you are buying firearms or related items, an appropriate certificate. We may also require proof of identity and residence (such as your passport or driving licence). When you register, you will be issued with a Client Card with your unique number printed on it. You use this to bid in the saleroom and retain it for future sales.

Note – Prohibited persons: The auctioneer shall consider prospective buyers or persons bidding on their behalf, to not be ‘prohibited persons’ as defined by Section 21 of the Firearms Acts 1968-97 (as amended) and prospective buyers or persons bidding on their behalf confirm that by the action of bidding, they are not ‘prohibited persons’ as defined by section 21 of the Firearms Acts 1968-97 (as amended).

During the Sale

Bidding

There are a variety of ways you can bid in our auctions:-

1. Attending the Sale

If you are bidding in person, you show that you want to bid by simply raising your buyers number to catch the auctioneer’s eye. If you are successful in buying the lot, the auctioneer will record your number as the buyer. When you have finished bidding for items, you can proceed to the Cashier’s Office to settle your account before collecting your purchases. You will be able to take your items with you if you pay in cash. The same applies to credit or debit card payments, although you will be liable to a surcharge if paying by credit card. If you pay by cheque, you will not be able to pick up your items until the cheque has cleared.

2. Bidding by Telephone

If you have identified a high value lot, you can bid by telephone. You must register to do this at least the day before the sale starts so you can reserve a telephone line and a member of the saleroom staff to place your bid for you. Telephone bidding is particularly suitable if you are unable to attend a sale in person. Telephone bids are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and may be subject to a minimum estimate value for the lot in question.

3. Commission (or Absentee) Bid

You can leave a commission bid by completing a commission bid form and sending it back to us. You specify which lots you wish to bid for and stipulate the maximum value you are prepared to pay per lot on the form. This means that we can act on your written permission to secure an item for you as your representative for the lowest possible price.

4. Live Internet Bidding

All our Sales use the Live Internet Bidding system. There are generally two internet bidding platforms available:

Southams Online (additional premium of 2.5%)
The-Saleroom.com (additional premium of 5%) Charges are plus VAT

You will need to register to use these services. Please follow the on-screen instructions. A credit or debit card will be required to verify your registration,
but please be aware that no invoice payment will be taken from your registered card.

After the Sale

If you were not present at the auction, you can check the hammer prices for any lot by contacting the administration office.

Settling Your Account

The price you pay is the amount at which the auctioneer’s hammer falls (the hammer price), plus a buyer’s premium of 17.5%+VAT (21% total) in addition to the hammer price, and any additional Internet Surcharge due (as shown above).

When collecting in person: 

Cash or debit card payment. Credit cards are not accepted. Maximum total cash transaction is £5000.

Remote payments:

PLEASE NOTE NEW ACCOUNT DETAILS FOR PAYMENT

Bank Transfer payments can be made to Acc.29033862 23-05-80 Quoting Buyer Reference Number. No remote card payments will be taken i.e. payment over the phone

International Payments

BIC : MYMBGB2L
IBAN : GB44 MYMB 2305 8029 0338 62
Please note that for international payments made within Europe, an additional £7 charge applies which must be added to the transfer amount. International payments made outside of Europe likewise incur an additional £12 charge that must be added.

Attention is drawn to the Auctioneers Conditions of Sale in this catalogue and posted on the premises. In particular, it is emphasised that all accounts must be settled on the day of sale.

Storage, Collections and Delivery

Please refer to the Shipping Information page.