How to Sell

When the time comes to consider selling collectables at auction, it is important to be well advised at every step of the way.

Whether you have a collection of stamps, coins, banknotes, postcards, cigarette cards, medals, diecast toys, or model railways to sell at auction, the first step is to get them appraised by the relevant expert.

Valuations are carried out in our Warwick showrooms, where we can refer to a library of technical books, previous sale catalogues and a database of information concerning recent realisations and sale prices.

Once our experts have valued your collection, we will advise you of the outcome in writing and recommend the best method of sale.

As long as you are considering a sale, valuations are free of charge. Valuations for probate and insurance attract a small fee.

If you have inherited or been gifted a collection you may not know if it is of value. Our advice is to call us on 01926 499031 and speak to one of our expert valuers. They are each long experienced, will be able to provide initial guidelines in respect of your property, and discuss how best to proceed with a more accurate first-hand valuation.

Valuations are carried out in the order that we receive properties and the average waiting time is three to five weeks. If a valuation is required urgently however, we will do our utmost to adhere to your requirements.

As auctioneers and valuers with more than 60 years’ experience, our experts assess collections and give valuations almost every day of their working lives – and it would be most unusual if they were to miss anything. However, if there is a particular item which you wish to bring to the attention of the valuer, you are welcome to give us a call and ask to speak to the valuer or send them an email. Click to find more details about our expert valuations team now!

A degree of trust has to be accepted between the auctioneer and client. Warwick and Warwick started in business in 1958, has been under the same ownership since 1981 and is now employee owned. We are members of the three most highly recognised trade organisations in our industry, who can vouch for us and the service we provide. We have 10 experts on our staff, with a combined knowledge base spanning more than a century.

There is absolutely no obligation to accept our valuation and no fees will be incurred if you decline it. However, we would ask you to pay for return delivery costs or come to our Warwick premises to collect your property. If we return a box by courier the cost is usually between £15 and £20 for most areas of the UK.

No, this is not necessary. The expert who examines your property will look at everything and keep a breakdown of the valuation whenever appropriate.

Yes. Once the collection has been valued it will be insured free of charge at our valuation. Whilst in transit to us by a carrier which Warwick and Warwick has arranged, or by Special Delivery in the post, we can take out additional cover, free of charge – this will be over and above that provided by the courier.

As the owner of the property, we will discuss a suitable level of transit insurance with you. If you have no idea of its value, we normally suggest insurance of £500 until the property is inspected. After we have assessed your collection the level of insurance can be adjusted accordingly. Free insurance cover for your property ends when it leaves our premises.

Yes, we can. If your collection is sufficiently valuable we can send a member of staff to inspect it, pack it up in our own flat pack boxes, give you a receipt and bring it back to Warwick for an accurate and precise valuation. To discuss this possibility, please call 01926 499031 today.

Yes, we have two large company vans and a number of estate sized vehicles at our disposal.

If you’re selling collectibles of sufficient value, we can send a member of staff to pack your collection on your behalf. We will give you a receipt for the collection and transport it to Warwick for valuation. If your collection is of more modest value, we can still visit you but it might involve a slight delay until we have other visits to make in the same area.

Once you have approved our valuation Warwick & Warwick will execute the sale of your material effectively and efficiently by private treaty or auction.

Whilst a sale by auction is an excellent method of achieving good results for popular material, it is not necessarily the best or most appropriate method for all material. Some vendors want the reassurance of knowing exactly how much they will receive for their collection, removing the uncertainties of the auction room. In this case, the services of our Private Treaty Department may be most appropriate.

Our experts can accurately determine a fair current market value for your collection and organise its sale by Private Treaty.

Once you have accepted our valuation, the amount is guaranteed and the sale is underwritten by Warwick and Warwick. A cheque is normally sent from our accounts department as soon as they receive the signed (pink) instruction form.

Private treaty sales are not subject to commission and do not incur any other charges such as insurance, valuation or transportation fees.

Public auctions are held regularly here at Warwick and Warwick throughout the year, including specialist sales of stamps, coins, banknotes, medals, postcards, cigarette cards, toys and model railways. We can also organise specialised single-vendor sales, where appropriate.

Collections may be offered intact or broken down into constituent parts in order to maximise the result for the seller. This is where we use our skills and experience to offer a collection in its most saleable form and ensure the maximum possible realisation.

Our experts usually find that this depends largely on the property or collection which is being offered for sale. Items which are frequently encountered and easily assessed often yield the same net result whether sold by auction or private treaty. More unusual items may benefit from the exposure which an auction sale provides. Collections which are the result of one person’s passion over a period of many years are often better marketed as an intact collection by Private Treaty. In our experience, the best course of action is to let our experts suggest the method of sale that is best suited to your specific collection. You can then make an informed decision, based on all the evidence you have been presented with.

Yes, we will send you written notification of the auction date and your own particular lot numbers

No-one can accurately predict the likely state of the market in the future. Most of the collectables we sell have enjoyed a very stable market for many years, and we do not foresee major price fluctuations in the near future.

Our online catalogue is available for you to view approximately one month prior to the sale date.

Yes, the whole catalogue, with a scan of most lots, will be available on our website and there is a facility for bidders to place bids via the website. Live online bidding is also available via Easy Live Auction.

The only charge for a sale by auction on lots reserved at no more than 60% of estimate is a 17.5% commission charge + VAT. There is no additional charge for insurance, lotting, valuation or transport.

We have a very wide customer base in this country and abroad, made up of both dealers and collectors. The fact that every auction sale is viewable on our website ensures that we receive large numbers of bids from a wide range of countries, including the important Far East markets.

Properties for auction should have a minimum value of £100.

Once your possessions have successfully sold at auction, we will send you notification of the results, which lists the individual lots and the price each item sold for.

Realisations are also normally available on the evening of each sale.

A settlement statement which lists the charges which you have incurred will also be included. All relevant charges are deducted before your payment is sent.

Payment is normally made 30 days after the auction, as long as we have received settlement from the buyer. A statement of all charges you have incurred is also included, and all relevant charges are deducted from your final settlement.

Settlement is normally by bank cheque in sterling. Bank transfers are processed for larger settlements and are available on request. Any charges incurred will be debited from your payment.

Unsold lots are usually re-offered in a future auction, often with a slightly reduced estimate. You may also elect to have your unsold material returned in which case we simply ask for the cost of insured delivery to your door.