Buying

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. The Popular Auction, LLC. 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 The Popular Auction, LLC 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 1-908-751-5801 emailing info@thepopularauction.com

 

Fully Illustrated Online Auction Catalogues

The Popular Auction 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 encourage potential bidders to gather as much information as possible regarding a lot before placing a bid. 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.

Contact our Client Services department at 1-908-751-5801 or info@thepopularauction.com.

View our Online Catalogue and click the question mark button to email our specialists your questions.

 

We regret that we cannot guarantee the availability of condition reports requested less than 24 hours prior to the start of the auction. For best results, please request condition reports as early as possible.

 

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 1-908-751-5801 or info@thepopularauction.com.

 

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

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, photo identification, and your signature agreeing to the Conditions of Sale.

 

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 24 hours in advance of an auction, you may fax the Telephone / Absentee bid form to our office. Please note we can only accept telephone bids for lots with a low estimate of $300.00 or above. Once you are registered, an experienced staff member will call you the day of the auction approximately five lots before your item is scheduled to be sold. They will communicate to you the bidding activity in the room and will relay your bids to the auctioneer at your discretion. If you are successful, an invoice will be both emailed and mailed to you the next day.

 

Absentee Bidding

Up to 24 hours in advance of an auction, you may fax the Telephone / Absentee bid form to our office. 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. If there are tied bids, the bidder who registered first is given precedence. All absentee bids are time stamped.

 

Live Online Bidding

All of our auctions are conducted in real-time on a third party online bidding service http://www.liveauctioneers.com For more information on live online bidding, please contact Client Services at 1-908-751-5801.

 

AFTER THE AUCTION

 

Invoices are sent via email immediately following the sale and a paper copy is mailed to you the day after the sale.

 

Forms of Payment

 

The Popular Auction accepts cash, money order,and wire transfer as forms of payment. We reserve the right not to 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-$10,000  $10,001-$100,000 $100,001 and above

In-house 25% 20% 15%

liveauctioneers.com 28% 23% 18%

In addition to the hammer price, the buyer agrees to pay The Popular Auction,LLC a buyer’s premium and the applicable sales tax added to the final total. The buyer’s premium for purchases made in-house is twenty-five percent (25%) of the hammer price up to and including $10,000; twenty percent (20%) of any amount in excess of $10,000 up to and including $100,000; and fifteen percent (15%) of any amount in excess of $100,000.”Bid on liveauctioneers.com 3% additional.

 

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 The Popular Auction,LLC. Please contact our Accounting department at 1-908-751-5801 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, The Popular Auction requires a written authorization from the buyer in order to release property to anyone other than the purchaser of record (including but not limited to our recommended shippers). You may submit the Shipping Release Form via fax to 1-908-751-5912 or email to info@thepopularauction.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.

 

Can I just give authorization for someone else to pick up my item over the telephone?

The Popular Auction requires a written release for all property not collected by the purchaser. You may submit the Shipping Release Form via fax to 1-908-751-5912 or email to info@thepopularauction.com.