How to sell
Do you have valuable items lying around that you would like to have auctioned by Bernaerts? Asking for an estimate is quick and easy. Is the work suitable for sale? Then we will include it in an auction. We briefly explain the steps.
1.
Presenting
Our experts will be happy to advise you on the value of your art objects. Everything starts with delivering photos.
2.
Agreeing
After the valuation by the expert, a contract (or ‘consignment note’) will be drawn up. This contract includes the sales conditions, the seller’s personal details and the commission percentage (15% of the hammer price).
3.
Viewing days & Auction
Approximately two weeks before the start of the exhibition, you will receive by email or post a list of your pieces that will be offered, indicating the lot number, date and time of the auction.
4.
Payment
After the auction you will receive a statement by e-mail indicating the results. The net amount will be paid five weeks after the auction via bank transfer and only after the lot has been paid for by the buyer in the meantime.
Bernaerts also regularly organises appraisal days, during which you may come to us with works to have them estimated by our experts. Keep an eye on the calendar for the next appraisal day.
A valuation report
Our experts are at your disposal to draw up a valuation report of your art collection, for private use, for notaries or for insurance companies.
The costs for such an appraisal are discussed in advance: depending on the amount of the collection, the costs will based a flat rate or a percentage.
A flat-rate valuation amounts to:
€ 325/h (consisting of € 250 expertise and € 75 dictation)
+ possible further research at our offices at € 125/h
+ travel expenses at € 0.50 per km
+ 21% VAT.
These costs cannot be recovered.
If (a significant selection of) the pieces are put up for auction, this valuation at home is free of charge.
FAQ How to sell
It is recommended that you initially provide us with some photos of the items. A clear photo of the piece or some overview photos of the contents will give our experts a first impression about the quality and saleability of your antiques.
You can provide these photos by mail, e-mail (expertise(at)bernaerts.be) or via this intake form. Please include a brief description, dimensions and possible origin, as well as, if possible, signature, date, material and/or defects. To the extent possible, your request will be answered within a week of being sent.
If your goods receive a positive recommendation, we will ask you to visit our offices with these pieces for a more accurate evaluation. This estimate is free and without obligation. For important items and large household effects, we are happy to come to your home. For this, it is best to make an appointment.
More info on ‘how to sell’ can be found on our site here.
Upon request, we can provide you with a list of contacts we will refer you to if your item cannot be included in one of our own auctions.
Our experts are at your disposal to draw up an appraisal report on your art collection, valid for private use, for notaries or for insurance companies. The cost of such expertise is discussed in advance: depending on the size of the estimate, it is either flat or on a percentage basis. In the latter case, 3% is calculated on the minimum estimate value. Important: this percentage will be refunded to you if you decide to put the object(s) up for auction within the year: you will then be charged 12% commission instead of 15%. Thus, the estimation/expertise becomes free of charge.
A flat-rate valuation amounts to:
€ 325/h (consisting of € 250 expertise and € 75 dictation)
+ possible further research at our offices at € 125/h
+ travel expenses at € 0.50 per km
+ 21% VAT.
These costs cannot be recovered.
This is possible, after you provide us with photos so we can determine whether your art objects qualify for one of our auctions. You can make an appointment for this by phone or email (info@bernaerts.be).
A on-site expertise is free if the pieces are subsequently sold at auction.
For household effects, a larger quantity of works of art or collections, we are happy to visit you on site.
The commission fee is 15% of the hammer price.
Included in this commission are: expertise, storage, insurance, photography.
Not included in the commission: possible external expertise, possible transport.
After the sale of the goods, you will receive a statement indicating the hammer price minus the commission and possible costs (possibly transport or additional expertise). The net amount will be paid five weeks after the auction via bank transfer provided the lot has been paid by the buyer in the meantime.
An indicative estimate is included on the consignment note for each item.
There are several options concerning limit prices:
- For pieces with an estimate of € 5000 or higher, a limit price can be determined by mutual agreement.
- For pieces with an estimate lower than € 5000 a ‘discrete limit’ of 75% of the lower estimate applies.
e.g. estimate € 1000 – 1500, discrete limit = € 750 - In the Timed Online auctions, no limit prices apply.
Prior to each auction, there are viewing days, when potential buyers can come and view and examine the art objects on offer. The exhibition takes place from Thursday to Monday before the auction each time, continuously from 10am to 6pm. On the calendar online, you will find upcoming auctions and viewing days.
As a consignor, you are of course welcome to attend both the exhibition and the auction of your goods. You do not need to make reservations for this: the auction is public and open to all.
Moreover, as a seller, you will also have one free ticket to the Platform concert taking place on Sunday of the exhibition
You will receive an overview of the results of your auctioned items by mail or post the week following the auction. This lists the hammer prices per lot, as well as the net amount (hammer prices – 15% commission) that will be transferred to your bank account, five weeks after the auction closes and provided the lot has been paid by the buyer in the meantime.
- Your lot remained withheld during the Live auction: it can be offered again on our online Aftersale, which ends on Monday after the Live auction.
- Your lot also remained withheld in the Aftersale: it can be offered again in a future auction with significantly reduced estimate OR you can come to collect it.
- Your lot remained withheld during a Timed Online auction: the lot must be retrieved at the latest 21 days after the conclusion of this auction.
Terms and Conditions of the Seller
- The joint stock company Auction House Bernaerts JSC (hereafter Auction House Bernaerts) acts in all respect and with regard to all the goods released for sale as exclusive intermediary of the provider who gives these goods to Auction House Bernaerts JSC with intended to sell them. Auction House Bernaerts JSC sells as a commission agent in its own name and for the account of the seller, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- Acceptance of the goods does not oblige Auction House Bernaerts JSC to sell them or to put them on sale at auction.
- Auction House Bernaerts JSC reserves itself a commission of 15% on the hammer price.
- No object entered at auction can be taken back by the seller. The objects are irrevocably assigned to the highest bidder. No restrictions may be imposed on Auction House Bernaerts JSC unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- The seller confirms that the delivered goods were once intended for his personal use and that he is the rightful owner. He stated, in addition, to release Auction House Bernaerts JSC from liability of any kind, in case of the auction of the goods. Seller shall fully indemnify Auction House Bernaerts JSC in case of complaints and disputes which could arise from the goods that Auction House Bernaerts JSC has sold or has yet to sell in his name. In case the goods are stolen or that they are the subject of a (pending) judicial decision the seller will always remain responsible for repayment to Auction House Bernaerts JSC of the net amount received following the sale, this on simple request. All goods are accepted without price limit, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- In the event that the goods sold at auction do not reach the starting price or limit price agreed, they are removed. Auction House Bernaerts JSC will present these goods for sale in the After Sale that ends at 12 am, on the Monday after the live auction. If necessary, Auction House Bernaerts JSC can present these goods on sale at one of its upcoming online sales, this with a new limit price up to 50% of the original starting or limit price. To cover any expenses, Auction House Bernaerts JSC will charge an amount equal to 5% of the agreed value – with a minimum of € 15 – unless otherwise agreed in writing, in case of a bought-in. For goods having a value of less than € 3,000 no limit is accepted, unless otherwise agreed. For all goods which have not been removed by the seller within 21 days after notification by Auction House Bernaerts JSC, an interest of 1% per month of the hammer price, with a minimum of € 5 per day and per item, will be charged as storage cost. Auction House Bernaerts JSC reserves the right to sell these goods again after having previously notified the seller, this in order to eventually recover the (storage) costs.
- The shipment of goods to Auction House Bernaerts JSC must be free of payment. All transport costs, customs, insurance, etc. are the responsibility of the sender-seller. In case Auction House Bernaerts JSC returns the goods to the seller, this will be done solely and exclusively at the risk and cost of the latter. These returns are absolutely not insured by Auction House Bernaerts JSC, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- Auction House Bernaerts JSC will pay to the seller the net amount of the sale deducting his commission and other fees agreed upon, such as the restoration, expertise, transportation, etc. This insofar as Auction House Bernaerts JSC has in turn received the payments from the buyer. If in doubt about the solvency of the buyer and/or dispute over the description or the nature of an object, or for any other reason, Auction House Bernaerts JSC has the right to delay the payment to the seller until receipt of the payment from the buyer.
- The seller allows Auction House Bernaerts JSC to sell the goods delivered by him according to the terms and conditions which seem most suitable in the eyes of Auction House Bernaerts JSC.
- All verbal agreements which are not confirmed in writing by Auction House Bernaerts JSC are non-existent.
- If the seller is subject to VAT and he sells goods as such, he must inform Auction House Bernaerts JSC in advance and provide all necessary billing data.
- Payment will be done from five weeks on after the goods have been presented at auction, sold and paid for by the buyer.
- The return of this document is necessary and mandatory for collection of the goods in the event of recovery.
- This document is considered as the basic agreement and is therefore not valid as an expert report. In the period between the writing of the document and the auction layout changes, adaptations of all kinds can be added to or removed from the original description, the estimate or limit price.
- All disputes fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Antwerp.
Last update: sept 20, 2022.