Selling at auction

There are several ways to consign items with us for auction. Pieces must be seen by one of our experts, who will decide whether they are suitable for sale. This can be done face to face at our offices, by home visit, or through preliminary email or telephone enquiries.

Our commission rate is 20% inclusive of VAT, without any of the hidden charges that might be incurred at other auction houses, and ours remains one of the lowest in the country. Rates, however, are negotiable for large collections or for pieces of particular importance.

Once estimates have been agreed, the items can be left on the premises, where they will be stored securely without charge until the requisite auction. If the items are valued at your home or in another location, we can make arrangements for them to be collected by a member of our logistics team for a small charge. Any necessary research will then be carried out by one of our valuers, ensuring that items are catalogued correctly.

The pieces will then be photographed ready to be presented in our online catalogue, and may be illustrated in a printed catalogue, both of which are available for prospective buyers to browse for up to two weeks before the auction. 

Once the item has been sold and paid for, commission and any further agreed charges will be deducted and payments by bank transfer will be processed from 28 days after the auction. Payments by cheque can be arranged, but this method may take longer to process. As a matter of policy, all funds are held in a secure client account. If you have opted for a cheque payment, please be aware that there is an administration free of £10.00 plus VAT if we need to cancel and reissue the cheque, which will be deducted from the proceeds of the sale. 

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) – Information for Vendors

To comply with government legislation introduced in January 2020, auction houses are legally required to implement Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures. At Adam Partridge Auctioneers, we carry out thorough Client Due Diligence (CDD) and Know Your Client (KYC) checks on buyers and sellers whose transactions exceed €10,000. This ensures compliance with the law and includes verifying the identity of all clients, both new and existing.

Identification Requirements

By law, we must verify the identity of all individuals buying or selling with us. This includes confirming the full name, date of birth, and permanent address of each individual.

For businesses purchasing or selling through us, we will also require company details, including proof of incorporation, and information on directors. 

We will request two forms of identification from clients:

• One document from List A to confirm photographic identity.
• One document from List B to confirm proof of address.

List A – Photographic Evidence of Identity

• Current signed passport
• Full UK/EU photo card driving licence
• Valid ID card (e.g., HM Forces, police warrant, or government-issued card)
• Firearm or shotgun certificate
• Resident permit issued by the Home Office to EU nationals

List B – Evidence of Address

• Full UK/EU photo card driving licence (if not used in List A)
• Utility bill issued within the last three months (excluding mobile phone bills)
• Recent bank, building society, mortgage, or credit card statement
• Current house or motor insurance certificate
• Revenue & Customs tax notification
• Recent council tax bill

For Company Transactions:
We will require documentation verifying the business’s incorporation and details of directors and beneficial owners.

Data Protection

All personal information provided will be processed and stored in compliance with Data Protection Regulations. Your data will remain confidential, and you can find further details on how we handle your information in our Privacy Notice.

If you have any further queries regarding the sale of items, one of our members of staff would be glad to discuss them.