Buying

Webb's offers various methods of buying at auction: in person, absentee bidding, and via telephone. You will need to register for each auction. Webb’s recommends that all buyers familiarise themselves with the Terms and Conditions of business for buyers prior to bidding at any auction.

1. Condition Reports
   

   Webb's specialists will provide condition reports on any specific items at the bidder’s request. It is the purchaser's responsibility to satisfy themselves about the condition of items prior to purchase. The condition of items is not detailed in catalogues. Please refer to clause 6 in Webb’s Terms and Conditions for buyers.

2. Registering and Bidding in Person
   

   To bid in person, you will need to register for and collect a bidding card before the auction begins. You will be asked to provide your address, telephone number, email address and a signature.

3. Absentee and Telephone Bidding
   

   If you cannot attend an auction, you can complete the Absentee and Telephone Bid Form and fax the completed form to +64 9 524 7048. For absentee bids, Webb's will execute your bid(s) and attempt to purchase the lot for you at the lowest price, allowing for other bids and reserves. For telephone bids, we will contact you during the sale, and a saleroom representative will bid live with you over the phone. All bid amounts do not include the buyer’s premium and GST.

4. Buyer’s Premium
   

   This is the amount automatically added to the hammer price and paid by the winning bidder. The buyer’s premium varies from auction to auction; generally the rates are as follows:
   12.5%: Important Works of Art and Jewellery.
   15%: A2 Art, Contemporary Art, Photography, Decorative Arts, Important & Vintage Motorcycles, Estates and Wine.
   17.5%: Bethunes@Webb’s Rare Books and A3 Art
   All rates are plus GST. As the rate of buyer's premium for each sale differs, it is essential that intending buyers check the published catalogue title page or the online auction information pertaining to the sale for the specified rate.

5. The Reserve and Subject Sales
   

   Most lots sold at auction are subject to a reserve, which is the lowest price for which the consignor will sell the property. The reserve price is confidential information and known only to the consignor and Webb's. If the bid price falls below the reserve, then the lot will be sold subject to the vendor's consent. If sold subject to the vendor's consent, the highest bid price and bidder will be recorded and this will be passed as an offer to the seller. It the seller accepts the offer, there is a contractual obligation for the bidder to purchase the lot. If you are the highest bidder and the work is sold subject to the vendor's consent, you have the first right to negotiate for the work in the event of another party expressing interest to purchase post-auction.

6. Paying
   

   Payment must be made within five working days of the auction and goods must be collected promptly, upon receipt of cleared funds. You may pay for your purchase immediately after the auction by going to reception, or an invoice will be mailed to you within three days of the sale. Goods may not be collected until cleared funds are received.

   Where payment is made by cash, eftpos or by bank cheque, delivery of the goods can be taken immediately. Be aware, however, that banks usually place a limit on eftpos transactions to protect you from fraud or withdrawal under duress, so your transaction may fail if it exceeds that limit. A transaction failure due to exceeding the bank limit is not a reflection of your creditworthiness.

   We also accept VISA, Mastercard and Amex (subject to certain restrictions).

   NOTE: An increase in the buyer’s premium applies when payment is made by credit card at the rates of: 2.5% for VISA and Mastercard and 4% for Amex.

   Payment by Direct Fund Transfer (internet banking) is also accepted. The duration required for funds to clear to our account is one working day after the date of transfer.
   Bank: WESTPAC 79 QUEEN STREET AUCKLAND
   Name: PETER WEBB GALLERIES LIMITED
   Account: 03 0104 0448184 003
   Swift: WPACNZ2W

   Payment is also accepted by personal cheque. Please be aware that clearance of personal cheques takes five working days.

7. Picking Up or Shipping your Property
   

   Upon receipt by Webb's of cleared funds, you may pick up your purchases. Webb's will provide a quote from a preferred supplier where items are sold in Art Sales. For all other categories of sale (due to the specialist nature of packing the goods), we recommend you contact Pack and Send +64 (09) 909 9099 email: aucklandcity@packsend.co.nz. Pack and Send can quote you direct to collect, pack and freight your items (www.packsend.co.nz). All purchases should be picked up or freighted promptly after the auction.
   

8. Conditions of Business
   

   All prospective buyers are reminded that they are bound by Webb’s Terms and Conditions of business for buyers, details of which may be found at the back of all Webb’s catalogues.