Terms & Conditions

Bidding

You are able to bid using the following four methods:

1. Bidding in the Room
To bid at the auction you will need to register for a bidding number at the front desk either during the viewing or prior to the auction. Please bid clearly and promptly using your bidding number.

2. Absentee Bidding
If you are unable to attend the auction, Dunbar Sloane Ltd can bid on your behalf according to your written instructions.
You may make an absentee bid online by visiting your desired auction's page and clicking the "absentee bidding form" link at the bottom.
Our absentee bidding form requires you to enter the lot numbers you wish to bid on and your maximum bid.
Please check lot numbers and description.
In the event of identical bids, the earliest will take precedence.
'Buy' bids are not accepted.
The limit you leave should be the amount to which you would bid if you were to attend the Sale. Lots will be purchased for you as reasonably as possible, subject to other bids in the room and to reserves.
To guarantee receipt and registration, these must be submited to Dunbar Sloane Ltd at least 24 hours before the sale.

3. Telephone Bidding
If you are unable to attend the auction, you can elect to bid by telephone (subject to availability).
Telephone bidding must be arranged with Dunbar Sloane Ltd at least 24 hours prior to the auction and is subject to a minimum lot estimate of $500 or greater.
Please note that the auctioneer determines the increments in bidding, not the telephone bidder.
We accept no responsibility if for whatever reason we are unable to contact you and as such recommend leaving a covering bid.

4. Live Online Bidding
We offer live online bidding on our website (subject to aproval).
Registering online does not automatically register to bid, and further identification maybe required, especially if you are an International client.
Successful bidders will be notified by phone or email as soon as possible, at which time arrangements may be made for payments, collection and dispatch. New online set bidding increments as follows: (please note bidding increments are at the auctioneers discretion and can be changed)

Minimum Item Value            Increment
$                           -                     $           10.00
$                100.00                    $           20.00
$                300.00                    $           25.00
$                500.00                    $           50.00
$             1,000.00                   $         100.00
$             2,000.00                   $         200.00
$             5,000.00                   $         500.00
$          10,000.00                   $      1,000.00
$          20,000.00                   $      2,000.00
$          50,000.00                   $      5,000.00
$       100,000.00                   $    10,000.00
$       200,000.00                   $    20,000.00
$       500,000.00                   $    50,000.00

Buyers Premium
Is applicable to each sale, please refer to auction catalogue for rate.

Conditions of Sale
  1. The highest bidder to be the buyer, and if during the auction the auctioneer considers that a dispute has arisen, the lot so in dispute shall be immediately put up again for sale.
  2. The auctioneer has the right to refuse any bid and to advance the bidding at his absolute discretion.
  3. a. The seller shall be entitled to place a reserve on any lot and the auctioneer shall have the right to bid on behalf of the seller for any lot on which a reserve has been placed.

    b. Dunbar Sloane's have the right to withdraw or divide any lot or to combine any two or more lots at their sole discretion.
  4. a. The buyer shall forthwith upon the purchase give their name and permanent address.

    b. The buyer may be required to pay down forthwith the whole or any part of the purchase money, and if they fail to do so, the lot may at the auctioneers absolute discretion be put up again and resold.

    c. The premium the buyer shall pay to Dunbar Sloane is 19% on the hammer price together with G.S.T. at the standard rate on the premium and agrees that Dunbar Sloane, when acting as agent for the seller, may also receive commission from the seller. Note this may vary in different auctions.
  5. a. Each lot sold by the seller thereof with all faults and defects therein and with all errors of description and is to be taken and paid for whether genuine and authentic or not and no compensation shall be paid for the same.

    b. Dunbar Sloane's act as agents only and neither they nor the seller are responsible for any faults or defects in any lot or the correctness of any statement as the authorship, origin, date, age, attribution, genuineness, provenance or condition of any lot

    c. All statements in the catalogues, advertisements or brochures of forthcoming sales as to any of the matters specified in (b) above are statements of opinion, and are not to be relied upon as statements of representations of fact, and intending purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to all of the matters specified in (b) above, as to the physical description of any lot, and as to whether or not any lot has been repaired.

    d. The seller and Dunbar Sloane's do not make or give, nor has any person in the employ of Dunbar Sloane's any authority to make or give, any representation or warranty.

    e. In any event neither the seller nor Dunbar Sloane's are responsible for any representation or warranty, or for any statement in the catalogues, advertisements, or brochures of forthcoming sales.
  6. Not withstanding any other terms of these conditions, if within 7 days after the sale Dunbar Sloane's have received from the buyer of any lot notice in writing that in their view the lot is a deliberate forgery and within 9 days after such notification, the buyer returns the same to Dunbar Sloane's in the same condition as at the time of sale and satisfies Dunbar Sloane's had considered in the light of the entry in the catalogue the lot is a deliberate forgery then the sale of the lot will be rescinded and the purchase price of the same refunded.
  7. a. To prevent inaccuracy in delivery, and inconvenience in settlement of purchase, no lot can be taken away during the times of sale, nor can any lot be taken away unless it has been paid for in full.

    b. All lots are to paid for and taken away at the buyer's expense within TWO days from sale.
  8. On failure of a buyer to take away and pay for any lot in accordance with Condition 7, Dunbar Sloane reserves any other right or remedies.

    i. To resell the lot or cause it to be resold by public sale, any money paid in part payment being forfeited, any deficiency attending such resale after deducting all costs incurred in connection with the lot to be made good by the defaulting buyer, and any surplus to be the seller's or:

    ii. To store the lot or cause it to be stored whether at their own premises or elsewhere at the sole expense of the buyer, and to release the lot only after payment in full of the purchase price together with interest thereon of 5% above bank minimum lending rate, the accrued cost of removal, storage and insurance (if any) and all other cost incurred in connection with the lot.

    iii. If the lot has been in store pursuant to (ii) for more than 6 months, to remove the lot from store and to exercise the right set out in (i).
Buyer’s Guide

If you have not bought from Dunbar Sloane before please read the following notes. They are set out in the order you are likely to come across them in the process of buying at auction.  

BEFORE AUCTION
We recommend that you read and understand these conditions of business before registering to bid at an auction.

Viewing
All lots are available for inspection prior to the sale. Although staff will endeavour to answer your enquiries, and give advice, the final decision to bid, is at your discretion and liability.

Pre-Sale Estimates
The estimated prices printed below the catalogue descriptions are in New Zealand dollars and are the approximate prices expected to be realised, excluding buyers premium. They are not definitive, they are prepared well in advance of the sale and they are subject to revision.

Condition Reports
Dunbar Sloane Ltd will provide a condition report on request, if you would like an opinion on any particular lot, up to 24 hours before the start of auction. All goods are sold “as is” and it is up to the buyer to satisfy themselves as to the condition of an item before the auction.


THE AUCTION

Purchasing at Auction

You are able to bid using the following four methods:

1. Bidding in the Room
To bid at the auction you will need to register for a bidding number at the front desk either during the viewing or prior to the auction. Please bid clearly and promptly using your bidding number.

2. Absentee Bidding
If you are unable to attend the auction Dunbar Sloane Ltd can bid on your behalf according to your written instructions. This is a free service for intended buyers. Please complete clearly an absentee bid form or choose the ABSENTEE BIDDING tab under AUCTION on the website and submit it to Dunbar Sloane Ltd at least 24 hours before the sale to ensure it is safely received. Lots will be purchased for you as reasonably as possible, subject to other bids in the room and to reserves.

3. Telephone Bidding
If you are unable to attend the auction, you can elect to bid by telephone (subject to availability). Telephone bidding must be arranged with Dunbar Sloane Ltd prior to the sale and is subject to a minimum lot estimate of $500 or greater. Please note that the auctioneer determines the increments in bidding, not the telephone bidder. We accept no responsibility if for whatever reason we are unable to contact you and as such recommend leaving a covering bid.

4. Live Online Bidding
We offer live online bidding on our website: www.dunbarsloane.co.nz
Registering online does not automatically register to bid, and further identification maybe required, especially if you are an International client.

Approximate Selling Rate
Auctions are generally conducted at the rate of about 60-80 lots per hour. However, this can vary.

Buyers Premium
The buyer shall pay to Dunbar Sloane Ltd a premium of 19% of the hammer price plus GST on the premium only–effectively adding 21.85% to the hammer price.


POST AUCTION

Payment

Payment for purchase is due in New Zealand dollars within 48 hours from the date of sale by cash, eftpos or electronic transfer. Due to the Anti Money Laundering Act we no longer accept cash for purchases of $10,000 or over. Bank details as follows:
Dunbar Sloane Ltd
06 0501 0524945 00
Swift Code ANZBNZ22

Please include details of sale date and lot numbers with all payments.
International clients will need to add an additional $25NZD to cover bank transfer fees

Collection of Purchases
Property purchased can be collected as soon as full payment has been received. Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and fee. Insurance (subject to terms and conditions) applies for up to two working days from the date of the sale whilst items are in our care.
Items must be paid for straight away and a second account for courier/freight charges will follow as soon as possible when we have confirmed courier charges.

Packaging and Transportation
We advise buyers to arrange transport and insurance with their preferred provider/s. We accept no responsibility for loss or damage once goods are in the hands of carrier.
For smaller, courierable items, Dunbar Sloane Ltd can arrange packing and courier for a fee. This is to be paid before the goods leave our premises. We pack with care, however we take no responsibility for damage once goods are in transit. It is up to the buyer to arrange their own transit insurance to cover any damage or loss.


OPENING HOURS
Dunbar Sloane Ltd general office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm. Please note many of our advertised or published sale and viewing times fall outside these hours.


CATALOGUE SUBSCRIPTION
Dunbar Sloane Ltd catalogues are an essential guide to any auction. Annual subscriptions ensure regular receipt of catalogues.

Valuation Service

Dunbar Sloane Ltd offer a variety of valuation services across all collection areas including Fine & Applied Art, Maori & Pacific Artefacts, Toys, Rare Documents, Books, Antique & Decorative Arts to General Household Chattels.

Auction Estimates:
Market Valuations: If you require an auction (market) value for your goods we require a photo of the item and relevant dimensions, plus any history and general condition. You are also welcome to bring in the item into our offices, please make an appointment first.Note: In most circumstances we cannot do valuations over the phone. Valuations are only provided where your intentions are to sell through auction. Valuations for trademe will incur a fee. Appointments can be made with a specialist staff member. As well as offices in both Wellington and Auckland, our experts travel regularly throughout New Zealand collecting and appraising items for auction.

Formal Appraisal:
Dunbar Sloane Ltd offers a comprehensive formal valuation service for the following purposes:
- Insurance
- Matrimonial
- Estate Division
- Market

Recent valuations of note have included:
- Te Papa Collections
- Variety of Government Departments including Parliamentary Services
- Regional and Local Body Councils
- Todd Corporation
- Archives New Zealand
- Large number of private homes across New Zealand