Buying at Auction
BEFORE THE AUCTION
Evaluating Property
Exhibition Preview
The best way to obtain information regarding specific lots in an auction is to view the items in person. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers offers preview exhibitions which are free and open to the public up to four days prior to auction. It is important to remember that all lots offered by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers are sold “as is” as defined in our Conditions of Sale. Therefore, we strongly advise prospective buyers personally examine any property in which they are interested.
Additional ways to view the property:
Printed Auction Catalogue
Each printed catalogue includes detailed auction information with full descriptions for each lot including provenance, exhibition history and auction estimate as well as photographs of select highlights. Catalogues are available for purchase by contacting Client Services at 312.280.1212, emailing info@lesliehindman.com or faxing the Catalogue Subscription Form to 312.280.1211.
Fully Illustrated Online Auction Catalogues
For the convenience of our active international client base, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers publishes a complimentary, fully illustrated Online Catalogue on our website. Our online catalogue contains the same detailed information as the printed catalogue and clients may view enlarged photographs, track lots, place absentee bids or request additional information. The online catalogue is generally published on our website four weeks prior to the auction.
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. Our experienced team of specialists and associates may assist you in obtaining a Condition Report for lots with a low estimate of $300 and above in the following ways:
Personally attend an auction preview, or send a trusted advisor, to discuss the property with a member of our knowledgeable staff.
Call our Client Services department at 312.280.1212 or info@lesliehindman.com.
View our Online Catalogue and click the question mark button to email our specialists your questions.
DURING THE AUCTION
Conditions of Sale
All sales are governed by our Conditions of Sale. Please fully read and understand the Conditions of Sale prior to placing any bids. Any questions should be directed to our Client Services department at 312.280.1212 or info@lesliehindman.com with any questions.
Buyer’s Premium and Sales Tax
| H A M M E R P R I C E / B U Y E R ’ S P R E M I U M | |||
| First | Portion From | Portion From | |
| Bidding Option | $0-$200,000 | $200,001-$500,000 | $500,001 and above |
| In-house | 22% | 20% | 12% |
| lesliehindman.com | 22% | 20% | 12% |
| liveauctioneers.com | 24% | 22% | 14% |
| the-saleroom.com | 24% | 22% | 14% |
| proxibid.com | 25% | 23% | 15% |
When applicable, state and local sales taxes 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.
Bidding at the Auction
After carefully previewing and assessing the condition of the property of interest and reading, understanding and agreeing to our Conditions of Sale you may place a bid. Our bid increments are:
$0 - $200…................................$10
$200 - $500…...........................$25
$500 - $1,000…........................$50
$1,000 - $2,000….....................$100
$2,000 - $5,000….....................$200
$5,000 - $10,000…...................$500
$10,000 - $20,000….................$1,000
$20,000 - $50,000….................$2,000
$50,000 - $100,000…...............$5,000
$100,000 - $200,000…...............$10,000
Over $200,000…........................Auctioneer’s Discretion
Ways to Bid:
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, 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 states that all lots are sold “as is” and that a buyer’s premium and any applicable sales tax will be added to the hammer price.
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 / Internet Bid Form. 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 / Internet Bid Form. The bid you leave is the highest price you are willing to pay exclusive of buyer’s premium and applicable sales 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. After you receive your client number and PIN, please fill out and fax back the Telephone / Absentee / Internet Bid Form
Live Online Bidding
All of our auctions are conducted in real-time on lesliehindman.com and other online bidding service providers including liveauctioneers.com proxibid.com and the-saleroom.com. For more information on live online bidding, please contact Client Services at 312.280.1212.
AFTER THE AUCTION
Invoices are mailed out the day after an auction; to expedite the process of payment and pickup, you may call our Accounting department at 312.280.1212 to request a faxed or emailed invoice.
Forms of Payment
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers accepts cash, money order, bank check, and wire transfer as forms of payment. We reserve the right to not release property until a check clears the bank.
Buyer’s Premium and Sales Tax
| H A M M E R P R I C E / B U Y E R ’ S P R E M I U M | |||
| First | Portion From | Portion From | |
| Bidding Option | $0-$200,000 | $200,001-$500,000 | $500,001 and above |
| In-house | 22% | 20% | 12% |
| lesliehindman.com | 22% | 20% | 12% |
| liveauctioneers.com | 24% | 22% | 14% |
| the-saleroom.com | 24% | 22% | 14% |
| proxibid.com | 25% | 23% | 15% |
When applicable, state and local sales taxes 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.
Removal of Property
Unless other arrangements have been made, all property must be removed from our premises within the seven business days following an auction. Property not removed within seven business days will be subject to a storage fee as outlined in our Conditions of Sale. On non-auction days, we are open Monday through Friday from 9 am - 5 pm for pickups. On auction days, we can only accommodate pickups for items in that particular sale.
Shipping
Buyers assume full responsibility for the packing and shipping of lots won at auction. Our Recommended Shippers 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 licensed shipper, applicable 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 shipping@lesliehindman.com.
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 Resources 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 shipping@lesliehindman.com.
