Recognized as the Midwest’s leading fine art auctioneers and appraisers, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers consistently maintains a simple process for buying at auction accommodating both new and seasoned buyers. Leslie Hindman remains a Chicago icon after more than two decades in business, and the auction house has proven to be an international success serving clients from Chicago to Hong Kong to New York.
The process of making a purchase at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is simple, and our friendly staff of specialists and associates is always available to answer any questions you may have.
Please click here for more information on selling your property at auction.
Telephone/Absentee Bid Form
Before the Auction
There are several ways to obtain information about items in any of our auctions.
Printed Auction Catalogue
Each printed catalogue includes detailed auction information, full descriptions for each lot including provenance, exhibition history, an auction estimate, photographs of select highlights, an absentee bid form, and conditions of sale. Please click here for more information on purchasing printed catalogues
Fully Illustrated Online Auction Catalogues
For the convenience of our active international client base, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers publishes a complimentary online auction catalogue on our website containing the same detailed information as the printed catalogues but with illustrations for every item. Clients may click on a digital photograph to enlarge it, track lots using a customer login and PIN, or directly request information on a lot via the web. The catalogue is generally published on our website four weeks prior to the auction.
eBay Live Auctions
All of our auctions are conducted in real-time on eBay Live Auctions. Our catalogues, therefore, are also published in their fully-illustrated format on eBay ten days prior to the sale. For more information on the eBay process, please contact client services at 312.280.1212.
Public Gallery Preview
The best way to obtain information regarding specific lots in an auction is to view the items in person. Our gallery in Chicago’s West Loop holds previews of property several days before the auction which are free and open to the public. Information on a specific auction’s preview may be obtained from our schedule page.
Condition Reports
We want our clients to be fully satisfied with every purchase made at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, so we encourage potential bidders to gather as much information as possible regarding a lot’s condition, provenance, or additional photographs when available before placing a bid. Because all property is sold “as is”, it is very important to obtain as much information ahead of time as possible. Our experienced team of specialists and associates may assist you with obtaining a condition report in various ways:
> Attend an auction preview and discuss the lot in person with a member of our knowledgeable staff (we recommend that you or a trusted partner view items in person before bidding whenever possible to ensure your complete satisfaction).
> Call our client services department at 312.280.1212 or email info@lesliehindman.com.
> View our online catalogue and click the “question mark” icon to email our specialists your questions.
> View our catalogue on eBay Live Auctions and request more information by clicking on “Ask Seller Question”.
Bidding at the Auction
After carefully previewing one of our upcoming sales, you’re ready to place a bid. There are several means by which a person can place a bid for a live auction. Before bidding, however, it is imperative that you read and understand our Conditions of Sale. Please contact us at 312.280.1212 with any questions.
Buyer’s Premium and Sales Tax
A buyer’s premium of twenty percent (20%) will be charged on each lot sold up to and including $500,000 and twelve percent (12%) of the amount by which the lot exceeds $500,000. The buyer’s premium is added on to the final hammer price (lots purchased on eBay are subject to a twenty two and a half percent (22.50%) buyer’s premium). When applicable, a nine percent (9%) Illinois state sales tax will be added to the hammer price and buyer’s premium. Sales tax will not be assessed for items shipped out of state by a licensed shipper or those with a copy of a current resale certificate on file at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Please contact our accounting department at 312.280.1212 to file a copy of your resale certificate.
Live Bidding
As stated above, our auctions are free and open to the public with no obligation for the attendees to bid. There is no need to come for the beginning of an auction and stay for the entire sale; you may come and go from the auction as you please. Should you choose to bid at the live auction, however, you must register for a paddle at the entrance to the salesroom either on the day of the auction or during the preview. If you pre-register at the preview, please visit the front desk to pick up your paddle on the day of the auction. Registration requires your full contact information and your signature agreeing to the Conditions of Sale which most importantly states that all lots are sold “as is”.
Once the auction begins, the auctioneer will clearly announce the lot number and bid increments as the bidding begins and proceeds. To place a bid, raise your paddle to the auctioneer for his or her recognition. When all of the bidding is through, the auctioneer will give fair warning, sell the item to the final bidder, and announce the price and paddle number. When you are finished bidding on the lots in which you are interested, please return your paddle to the front desk, examine your invoice and make arrangements for payment and pickup.
Telephone Bidding
Up to 48 hours in advance of an auction, you may fax in a request to bid on the telephone. Please fill out and fax back the telephone/absentee bid form found at the end of the printed catalogue as well as here. Upon registering, an experienced staff member will call you the day of the auction approximately five lots before yours is scheduled to be sold. They will communicate with you what bid the auctioneer is asking for and execute your bids at your discretion. If you are successful, an invoice will be mailed to you the next day. To expedite payment and receipt, you may call our accounting department at 312.280.1212 the day after the sale to have your invoice faxed or emailed to you.
Absentee Bidding
Up to 48 hours in advance of an auction, you may fax in an absentee bid. Please fill out and fax back the telephone/absentee bid form found at the end of the printed catalogue as well as here. The bid you leave is the highest price you are willing to pay exclusive of buyer’s premium and applicable tax. Absentee bids are always confidential, and bids are executed at the lowest price possible according to reserves and competitive bids.
Internet Bidding
Buyers may conveniently leave absentee bids directly on our website through the online auction catalogue for any given sale up to 24 hours in advance of an auction. First time Internet bidders must register to receive a client number and PIN prior to bidding. To register, click here.
After the Auction
Invoices are mailed out the day after an auction; to expedite the process of payment and pickup, you may call our office at 312.280.1212 to request a faxed or emailed invoice.
Forms of Payment
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers accepts cash, money order, check, wire transfer or credit card (Visa and Mastercard only with a 2% administrative fee) as methods of payment. We reserve the right to not release property until a check clears with the bank. We accept PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard for eBay purchases.
Buyer’s Premium and Sales Tax
As stated earlier, a buyer’s premium of twenty percent (20%) will be charged on each lot sold. The buyer’s premium is added on to the final hammer price (lots purchased on eBay are subject to a twenty two and a half percent (22.50%) buyer’s premium). When applicable, a nine percent (9%) sales tax will be added to the hammer price and buyer’s premium.
Removal of Property
Unless other arrangements have been made, all property must be removed from our premises within seven business days following an auction. Property not removed by that time will be subject to a storage fee as outlined in our Conditions of Sale. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am – 5 pm on non-auction days for pickups. We can only accommodate pickups on auction days for items in that particular sale.
Shipping
Buyers assume full responsibility for packing and shipping of lots won at auction. Upon request, buyers will be provided with a list of our recommended vendors who offer a wide variety of local, domestic, and international shipping options. As stated above, if a buyer has a purchase shipped out of state via a licenses shipper, the nine percent (9%) sales tax will be not be assessed.
In the interest of our clients, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers requires a written authorization from the buyer in order to release property if anyone other than the person on the invoice will be picking up the purchased lot (including but not limited to our recommended shippers). You may print, fill out, and fax the Shipping Release Form to 312.280.1211, or email the information to info@lesliehindman.com.
List of Recommended Shippers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel the sale on an item if I change my mind?
All lots are sold “as is” according to our Conditions of Sale and are not returnable. Careful consideration should be made before bidding at auction.
I forgot to request a Condition Report and the item isn’t what I expected. What can I do?
All lots are sold “as is” according to our Conditions of Sale and are not returnable. Absence of a posted condition report does not indicate that an item is in perfect condition, and our staff is always happy to accommodate requests for condition status should time permit.
Where do I find information on restoration, cleaning or repair for something I purchased at auction?
Referral links for restoration, cleaning, and repair can be found on our referral page.
Can I just give authorization for someone else to pick up my item over the telephone?
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers requires a written release for all property not picked up by the purchaser. You may print, fill out, and fax the Shipping Release Form to 312.280.1211, or email the information to info@lesliehindman.com.
List of Recommended Shippers
