Over the past 34 years, Criterion has become an institution within the auction industry.

Our highly experienced team deal with valuations for auction, probate and insurance, offering competitive rates to suit your needs.

Our sister company, Criterion Carriage and Clearances Ltd, offers comprehensive house clearance services throughout the U.K and Europe.

Our continued expansion since the Covid lockdown, the new era has seen the opening of a new Park Royal and Kensington salerooms.

We hold some of London's largest weekly and monthly auctions of antiques, furnishings, art and collectables. 

The addition of our Gloucester saleroom and its Charity Shop in early 2023 completes the 2023 expansion along with our latest expansion is the move from Islington to Park Royal in September 2024 to further improve the efficiency and communications network for the Greater London area.

With tens of thousands of registered clients worldwide, we host some of the busiest auctions in the UK.

CRITERION AUCTIONEERS LIMITED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS v07082020

Definitions and Interpretations in these terms and conditions:
(a) Reference to the ‘the Auctioneer’ shall be taken to mean the firm of Criterion Auctioneers Limited or any director, partner or employee thereof at the time of sale;
(b) ‘Buyers’ shall be deemed to be the principals unless to the prior knowledge of the Auctioneer they are acting as agent on behalf of a named principal;
(c) ‘Forgery’ means a Lot (i) which is so constituted as deliberately to deceive when considered in the light of its catalogue description, and (ii) whose value as such is materially less than if it had complied with the catalogue description;
(d) ‘The Interpretation Act 1978’ shall apply to the general construction of terms and expressions used in these Conditions as if contained in a statute;
(e) ‘Small items’ defined as being a Lot carried safely by one person, and
(f) ‘Large items’ defined as being a Lot carried safely by two persons.
(g) 'Extra-large items' defined as being a Lot carried safely by more than two persons, such as a triple sofa, triple wardrobe or similar.

Warnings:

• •Auctions are unpredictable, and valuing anything is an imprecise science. We do our utmost best to ensure the highest prices possible for your goods, however Lots sometimes sell under expectations or don’t sell at all. You are strongly advised to check with the saleroom immediately after each sale to discuss any unsold Lots – as re-entered low value Lots can become a drain on your final proceeds.

• •We shall enter each consignment for a minimum of two weekly sales at Islington office. The reserve for each lot shall be reduced by between 20% as a minimum and up to 50% as a maximum at the Auctioneers discretion on ALL unsold Lots from the previous sale.

• • If items are taken in without reserve that is precisely how the Auctioneer executes the sale, as the Auctioneer is required to do by law. Occasionally it could mean, that a Lot estimated at £80 – £120, sells to the highest bidder (perhaps the only bidder) for as little as £10.

• • Upholstered furniture made after 1950, regardless of original source, MUST have a fire label indicating that it conforms to modern fire regulations BS7177, otherwise it cannot be sold by law.

• • Ivory and other wildlife products now fall under new legislation and are frequently problematic.

• • Birds’ eggs are illegal to sell in the UK.

• • The Auctioneer cannot sell any offensive weapons that are not antique, and modern firearms must come from a vendor with a proven firearms license.

VENDORS TERMS

1. STANDARD RATES

1.1. Vendor Commission Fees are charged at 15% for Small items, 20% Large items and 25% for Extra-wide items as defined in the commissions box on the Consignment Agreement or stated here on the hammer price or our Minimum Commissions (see clause 1.2) whichever is the greater. Commissions and reserves should be agreed with the Auctioneer at the time of acceptance and may not be altered after a Consignment Agreement receipt has been issued. In the event a Consignment Agreement is received and unsigned by a Vendor the consignment shall be deemed as void and the lots shall not be entered for sale until corrected;

1.2. Minimum Commission Fees of £15 per Lot per sale for Small items, £20 per Lot per sale for Large items and £25 per lot for extra-large items whether sold, unsold or withdrawn. Withdrawn Lots will also be subject to costs as defined in clause 1.6 which have been incurred by the Auctioneer;

1.3. Entry Fees of £5 or £10 per Lot (Smalls), or £20 per lot (Large) and £25 per lot (Extra- large) for items chargeable each time a Lot goes under the hammer, sold or unsold;

1.4. Loss & Damage Warranty Fees are charged at 2% of the hammer price of each Lot sold (minimum fee £2 per Lot) or the Low Estimate price agreed upon first consignment if unsold. The Auctioneer will indemnify the Vendor up to a maximum value of £200 per Lot for all goods in its care unless otherwise instructed in writing to the Auctioneer;

1.5. Catalogue, Illustration & Photography Fees may apply as a one-off fee to all Lots where these services have been incurred at a rate of £5 per Lot. Catalogue, Illustration & Photography fees will not automatically be charged and shall be agreed in advance, where applicable;

1.6. Withdrawn Lot Fees are charged at 15% (Smalls) and 20% (Large) and 25% (Extra-large) of the (last listed) Reserve price or a minimum fee of £50 per Lot plus 2% Loss & Damage Warranty;

1.7. Storage Fees for Buyers will be applied after two weeks of FREE storage. Late collection will incur storage fees of £5 per Lot per day for all items. All Vendor Lots not entered for sale must be collected by Wednesday 6pm immediately following the sale unless by prior arrangement with the Auctioneer. Both Buyers and Vendors Lots not collected after the storage period allowed will incur storage fees of £5 per Lot per day. If Storage fees amount in value to more than the value of the Lots purchase price and or the low estimate the Auctioneer take ownership of the Lot(s) to recover the Storage Fees;

1.8. Carriage & Shipping Fees are charged at a rate as quoted on the Consignment Agreement per Consignment or our Shipping page on our website. When they appear to conflict with any other charges quoted verbally or by email or otherwise our email/verbal prices shall prevail; and

1.9. Value Added Tax the above charges are subject to Value Added Tax charged at the current rate and is payable on all commissions and fees unless being exported to a non EU country and evidence of shipping is given to us within 3 months of purchase (as per HMRC's VAT export terms and conditions.

2. RESERVES all goods are put up for sale WITHOUT RESERVE at the discretion of the Auctioneer, unless a Consignment Agreement is completed with written instruction duly signed by the Vendor and accepted by the Auctioneer and received prior to the sale. The Auctioneer retains the right to sell Lot/s at 90% of the agreed Reserve price. The Auctioneer retains the right to refuse to offer for sale any item where, in the Auctioneers opinion, the Reserve price is too high and the item would not sell. Where a Reserve price is set by the Vendor against the Auctioneers advice the Vendor will be subject to an unsold fee should the Lot not sell as per the charges set out in clause 5 Unsold charges.

3. CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT, ADVICE NOTICES & STATEMENTS

3.1. Consignment Agreement – all Vendors’ will complete and duly sign and the Auctioneer will counter sign this agreement with details of all Lots to be accepted for sale prior to delivery of the items to the saleroom. These terms and conditions of business shall prevail unless altered and countersigned by the Auctioneer. Every Lot will be detailed and recorded for its description and condition, size, reserve, low and high estimate values, the Vendor’s proof of identity and authority to sell and general contact details. Additional details for Trade Vendors may be required to validate their status. Lots are offered for sale for a minimum of two auctions. Lots unsold after one auction may be withdrawn without charge subject to the Auctioneer receiving a written request by email.

3.2. Pre-Sale Advice Notice - is only emailed to the Vendor following the consignment process but prior to the catalogue being finalised and published. The Vendor shall review the details of the notice and pay particular attention to the accuracy of the descriptive narratives and the correct setting of reserves and estimates. The Auctioneer shall presume the accuracy and acceptance of the Pre-Sale Advice Notice sent to the Vendor unless the Vendor informs the Auctioneer prior to the publishing of the catalogue each week of any changes. The publishing time of the catalogue may vary from week to week and or sale to sale.

3.3. Post-Sale Advice Notice – is produced and emailed usually within 24 hours of the sale finishing, detailing the hammer results of the Vendors sold and unsold Lots and the expected settlement date of the sale.

3.4. Statements – are generated on the day of settlement which can be between three and five weeks from the sale date on the Friday of that week subject to all lots having been paid by the Buyers. The Statement lists the Lots sold and unsold and the respective fees applied in relation to the Auctioneers fees and or any other rates agreed with the Vendor in accordance with the Consignment Agreement or in writing prior to each sale. The Statement is emailed to the Vendor or posted as specified in the Consignment Agreement or as may be changed from time to time by the Vendor and duly notified without delay to the Auctioneer in writing.

4. HARDWOOD FURNITURE all NEW Hardwood furniture will not be accepted for auction, unless a valid certificate complying with FSC (Forest Steward Council) or similar standard is provided.

5. UNSOLDS will only be charged if a Reserve is set by the Vendor against the advice of the Auctioneer, in its first week’s sale, and the Lot does not sell, in this case an Unsold Fee of £15 per Lot (Smalls) and £20 per Lot (Large) and £25 per Lot (extra large) will be charged. No Unsold fees will be charged for reoffers.

5.1. All unsold Lots not being reoffered must be removed from the saleroom by 6pm on Wednesday following the sale or Storage Fees may be charged if no prior arrangement has been made with the Auctioneer in writing; or

5.2. All unsold Lots are sold by private treaty (after the sale); or

5.3. All unsold Lots after the 2nd sale if not collected by Wednesday 6pm and not advised in writing by the Vendor shall be offered to Charity if they are not selected for a further sale by the Auctioneer at a later date or disposed of at the Auctioneer’s discretion unless advised not to in writing by the Vendor.

VENDORS CONDITIONS

6. CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT the Auctioneer requires and accepts the signed Consignment Agreement as a statement from the Vendor to the effect that the goods submitted are their own unencumbered property or that they have authority to dispose of them on behalf of the true owner and can transfer good and marketable title to the property free from any third-party claims. The Vendor may be required to provide written evidence to the Auctioneer in addition to the Consignment Agreement if they act as an Agent for the true owner to enter the Lots for sale and or if the Auctioneer feels further evidence is required from the Vendor of the goods authenticity or true ownership; and

7. STANDARD RATES the Vendor authorises the Auctioneer to deduct commission at the rates as defined in this agreement and agreed by signing the Consignment Agreement the Vendor is deemed to have accepted the Auctioneers Terms and Conditions of business.

8. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS descriptive statements contained in the advertisements or catalogues or made up by the Auctioneer or any member of his staff shall be taken as matters of opinion only, and shall not be taken as statement of fact.

9. DISCLOSURES the Vendor has a duty to disclose all defects, restorations or alterations to the goods (if any) at the time they are entered for sale and to draw them to the Auctioneer’s attention in writing. Failure to do so, notwithstanding any description of the goods given by the Auctioneer, can result in the sale being rescinded and the Vendor being responsible for all allied costs incurred by the Buyer and Auctioneer.

10. ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL GOODS the Vendor warrants in respect of any item or mechanical or electrical equipment that it is,
(a) in working order;
(b) reasonably fit for the purpose for which it is designed or adapted;
(c) that it can be used safely and without risk of causing injury or damage, and
(d) will indemnify the Auctioneer against any loss or damage suffered in consequence of any breach of the above warranty and undertaking.

11. LOSS AND DAMAGE WARRANTY unless otherwise instructed the Auctioneer will insure property (other than motor vehicles) consigned to it or put under its control for sale at the rates stated above. If the Vendor instructs not to insure a Lot, it shall at all times remain at the risk of the Vendor who hereby undertakes to indemnify the Auctioneer against all claims made or proceedings brought in respect of loss or damage to the Lot of whatever nature howsoever occurring and in any circumstances, even where negligence is alleged or proven.

12. PHOTOGRAPHY the Vendor gives the Auctioneer full and absolute right to photograph and illustrate any Lot placed in their hands for sale and to use such photographs and illustrations at any time at their absolute discretion (whether or not in connection with the auction).

13. VALUED ADDED TAX Vendors selling any assets of their business through the Auctioneer must disclose at the time the item is submitted for sale whether they are registered for VAT and must disclose the VAT registration number and whether the items are to be sold under the special scheme covering works of art, etc. Commission fees will be shown inclusive of VAT, which will not normally be recoverable by the Vendor (see clause 1.9 re export to a non-EU country).

14. SETTLEMENTS to Vendors are normally processed within three to five weeks after the sale date by either BACS (usually received into the Vendor’s bank account 3 days from the processing date) or by Cheque (sent by 1st class post) subject to our accounts department receiving correct current bank details; payment for all Lot or Lots have been received from the Buyer; the Lot/s is not subject to any dispute or third party claim/s; a statement will be posted or emailed to you with the sale results less any relevant fees. Cheques will not be issued below £40, payments will ONLY be made by BACS and NO settlements will be made by cash from the Salerooms. The Auctioneer acts as agents only and do not accept responsibility for any default on the part of either the Buyer or the Vendor and shall not be liable for payment to the Vendor for any Lot or Lots until they have themselves received payment from the Purchaser. The Auctioneer reserves the right to retain any interest accrued on cleared net monies held to the order of the Vendor. The Auctioneer reserves the right to refuse any goods if they are deemed unsuitable for sale. Any Lots left for valuation, but not accepted, must be collected within 48 hours or Storage Fees shall be applied. Any goods delivered to the saleroom without a delivery note and or a completed and signed Consignment Agreement will be rejected and or returned to the Vendor or its Agent at the Vendor’s costs.

BUYERS TERMS
The Auctioneer acts only as agent for the Vendor (unless otherwise specifically declared). Lots sold are likely to have been subject to wear and tear caused by user or the effects of age and may therefore have faults and imperfections. Buyers are given ample opportunity at viewing times to examine Lots to be sold and will be assumed to have done so. They must rely solely on their own skill or judgement as to whether Lots are fit for any purpose and not from any materials, descriptions or photography presented by the Auctioneer.

15. BIDS all bids made shall be treated as offers made upon these Conditions of Sale and all persons’ present are admitted to a sale on the basis that they have notice of these Conditions.

16. ASCERTAINMENT OF THE BUYER the Buyer shall be the person making the highest bid which is acceptable to the Auctioneer as signified by the fall of the hammer. No bid may be retracted. In the case of a dispute the Auctioneer may either declare the purchaser or put the Lot up again.

17. AUCTIONEER’S DISCRETION the Auctioneer has sole discretion,
(a) to refuse any bid,
(b) to advance the bidding as he may decide,
(c) to withdraw or divide any Lot or combine one Lot with another or others,
(d) to exclude any person from the auction rooms,
(e) to require pre-payment in full, and
(f) to accept offers of not less than 90% of the agreed reserve.

18. RESERVES AND VENDOR’S RIGHT TO BID for Lots put up for sale are subject,
(a) to any reserve price imposed by the Vendor,
(b) the right of the Auctioneer to bid on behalf of the Vendor, and
(c) where no reserve has been imposed (but in no other case) for the Vendor to bid personally or through any one agent. It is the responsibility of the Vendor to ensure any reserves are received by the Auctioneer prior to the commencement ofthe sale.

19. BUYER’S DUTIES the Buyer shall forthwith or as soon as possible after the sale,
(a) supply his name, address and contact details,
(b) supply, if so required, bank or other suitable references,
(c) pay the full purchase price by the first Wednesday 6pm immediately after the sale in a way acceptable to the Auctioneer, notwithstanding any prior arrangement for advance payment required by the Auctioneer, and
(d) on proof of payment clear the Lots purchased by the times specified. Lots may not be cleared during the sale except by permission of the Auctioneer.

20. LIABILITY OF THE AUCTIONEER AND VENDORS subject to Condition 20:
(a) faults and imperfections (if any) are not stated in the catalogue and neither the Vendor nor the Auctioneer is responsible for any defects whatsoever,
(b) no warranty is given or authorised to be given by the Vendor or the Auctioneer with regard to any Lot other than the Vendor’s right to sell it,
(c) any express or implied conditions or warranties relating to description or quality, are hereby excluded.

21. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS descriptive statements contained in the advertisements or catalogues or made up by the Auctioneer or any member of his staff should be taken as matters of opinion only, and shall not be taken as statement of fact.

22. FORGERIES notwithstanding Conditions 19 and 20, if the Auctioneer receives notice in writing from the Buyer WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE SALE that in his opinion a Lot is a forgery (as defined in Definitions and Interpretations) and on giving such notification the Lot in question is returned to the Auctioneer at the Buyer’s costs to his working premises in the same condition as when bought, then if on considering such evidence as the Buyer supplies to prove his assertion, the Auctioneer decides that the Lot is a forgery the sale of the Lot will be rescinded and the purchase price repaid to the Buyer.

BUYERS CONDITIONS

23. PROPERTY IN LOTS AND RISK the Buyer shall not become the owner of any Lot, and the Auctioneer shall have a lien thereon, until the Buyer has discharged the purchase price in full together with any other fees due, but after the fall of the hammer the risk of damage or loss shall nevertheless be the Buyer’s.

24. THE BUYER’S PREMIUM the Buyer shall pay to the Auctioneer a premium of 26.4% of the hammer price inclusive of VAT on such premium for Weekly Classic auctions. Live internet bidding incurs an additional charge of 6% or 4% on the hammer plus VAT for the-saleroom.com & EasyLiveauction.com / Criterion website respectively. We may accept credit card payments at our discretion, an administration fee of £2.50 per nearest £50 spend for Business Cards only. There is a maximum £1,000 limit when paying by cash and or debit card in person. No administration charge is levied when paying by debit card. All payments above £1,000 must be made by Bank Transfer. We will consider all International debit and credit cards when they are registered prior to a sale and tested as being pre-authorised by the card issuer.

25. DEFAULT BY BUYER if the Buyer fails to make payment in a way acceptable to the Auctioneer or to remove any Lot or Lots bought by him by Wednesday 6pm after the auction or in any other material respect fail to comply with these conditions, the Auctioneer shall have the right,
(a) to resell the Lot or Lots by public auction or otherwise without notice to the Buyer, and if any deficiency arises on such resale, after deducting the Auctioneer’s full costs and expenses, the Buyer shall be responsible to the Auctioneer therefore (but any net surplus to be the Vendor’s) or, alternatively,
(b) to store the Lot at the Auctioneer’s premises or elsewhere and to release the Lot to the Buyer only after payment in full of the purchase price together with any other fees due. The Auctioneer reserves the right to charge storage of £5 per Lot per day for items or Lots not collected by the 2nd Wednesday 6pm after the sale or by the time specified in writing from the Auctioneer together with any removal expenses. In addition, interest will be charged at 2.5% per month or part thereof (34.4% APR) on any accounts that remain unpaid in part or full after Wednesday 6pm after the sale. Interest and storage will be charged from the date of sale. In addition, the Buyer shall be liable for all legal and court costs incurred by the Auctioneers in pursuit of payment from the Buyer. The Auctioneer reserves the right to refuse any cheques and will not release Lots purchased until evidence has been received that any cheque or other payment method accepted has been cleared.

26. ARTISTS RESALE RIGHTS Certain art works may incur an Artists Resale Right royalty charge of 4% when sold with a hammer price of 1,000 euros (approx. £850) or more. Artists Resale Right royalties are not subject to VAT.

27. GENERAL TERMS

27.1. All images and other materials produced for the auction remain the copyright of the Auctioneer for use at its discretion;

27.2. Notices to the Auctioneer should be in writing and addressed to the relevant department. Notices to the Vendor shall either be emailed or posted to the details provided by the Vendor; and

27.3. Should any of these Conditions be held unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall remain in force and effect.

28. DATA PROTECTION

28.1. The Auctioneer will use information provided by its clients or obtained by the Auctioneer relating to its clients for the provision of auction related services, insurance, marketing and to manage and operate its business, or as required by law; the Auctioneer may wish to record and review video images of you and or telephone conversations for security or legal reasons or as necessary to provide a higher quality of service; and clients agree that the Auctioneer may use any sensitive information that they supply to the Auctioneer, unless by law, the Auctioneer will not process sensitive personal data without express written consent.

29. LAW AND JURISDICTION

29.1. Governing Law these Conditions of sale and all aspects of all matters, transactions or disputes to which they relate or apply shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law, which shall apply to their construction as well as their effect; and Jurisdiction for the benefit of the Auctioneer, all Vendors and Buyers/Clients agree that the Courts of England are to have exclusive jurisdiction to settle all disputes arising in connection with all aspects of all matters or transactions to which these Conditions of Business relate or apply. All parties agree that the Auctioneer shall retain the right to bring proceedings in any court other than the Courts of England.

29.2. Conditions of business are published in the sale catalogue and on our website and your attention is drawn to them.

Online Only Timed "Antiques & Interiors" Auction - Start time Thursday 6th August from 6pm - Ending Monday 10th August from 7pm.  

Lots purchased online via Criterion website will attract an additional charge for this service in the sum of 4% of the hammer price plus VAT.  Please register at  https://www.criterionauctioneers.com/auctions/ or via EasyLive at https://www.easyliveauction.com/criterion/

CONTACTLESS DELIVERY SERVICE OF SMALL ITEMS AND SMALL FURNITURE AVAILABLE FROM 26th MAY.

WE ARE ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR OUR NEXT WEEKLY SALE MON to FRI 9am to 5pm.

COLLECTIONS FROM THE SALEROOM ARE POSSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENTS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON SOCIAL DISTANCING.

STORAGE CHARGES WILL APPLY TO PURCHASES IF NOT COLLECTED AFTER 14 DAYS OF SALE.

INVOICES WILL BE SENT TO WINNING BIDDERS BY CRITERION ONLY. ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE ELECTRONICALLY VIA BANK TRANSFER OR CARD PAYEMENTS ONLINE. NO CASH OR CHEQUES WILL BE ACCEPTED.  ALL LOTS MUST BE PAID FOR BEFORE COLLECTION.

Where the Lot is marked by an asterisk (*), V.A.T. is payable on the hammer price at the standard rate. 

Buyer's Premium 26.4% inclusive of VAT.  Please note we do not accept payment via personal credit cards but we can accept Corporate business debit and credit cards on the condition there is an Admin fee applied of 5%. These charges are in accordance with the latest EU directive.

Shipping:

We offer a worldwide shipping service via one of our shipping partners.  We offer pack and send postage on suitable lots and delivery to your door via our own delivery driver for local deliveries within the M25. For buyers outside the M25 we are very happy to quote you for anywhere in the UK south of Watford Gap to the North and Yeovil to the West.  Please email us at cs@criterionauctioneers.com for a quote. 

Email our Customer Services team at cs@criterionauctioneers.com

to arrange your collection/delivery 

We can provide a quote for any other postcode within M25 as well as our two man service for larger jobs. Email us for more information on cs@criterionauctioners.com

***FREE RETURN CONSIGNMENT TO THE SALEROOM! ***

(Subject to suitability)

We carry out complete House Clearances

Costs deducted from proceeds of sale

Please ask our Customer Services team for a quotation

For national and international services Click on one of our suggested worldwide shipping providers to arrange a collection or delivery Mailbox, UPS, Parcel Force.

Prices valid from 1st January 2020

All prices include VAT                                                                                                                                                            

E&OE.