A Guide to Selling Books
How to consign
Bethunes at Webb's will appraise your items free of charge. You are welcome to bring them to the gallery without making an appointment every Monday between 9:00AM and 12:00PM. Specialists are also available at your convenience by appointment. Regular visits are made to all of New Zealand's main centres, so you can request a home visit if you are outside Auckland and have a library or large number of items that you wish to have assessed. You will be provided with current auction market estimates, suggested reserve prices, and information regarding the next suitable auction date. An outline of the commission and other fees associated with selling will be provided.
We can accept books up to six weeks before an auction date. If you would like to offer lots for auction or to have books appraised, please contact Head of Department Francis McWhannell on +64 9 524 6804, +64 21 232 6032, or bethunes@webbs.co.nz.
Are my books worth auctioning?
At auction, each lot is expected to realise a minimum of $100. Items of lesser value are sometimes able to be grouped together. Such items may also be accepted if they are of especial interest and/or are derived from a substantial collection. Estimated prices are noted in the catalogue for most lots; reserves are not. In the event that bidding fails to reach reserve (where applicable), the lot is passed in.
Consigning property
When you decide to consign your items for auction through Bethunes at Webb's you will be provided with a formal contract for sale. On the reverse of this contract are Webb's Terms and Conditions for Sellers.
Commission rates for vendors
For items or collections consigned above a value of $1,000, the commission rate is 15% on the hammer price, plus 1.5% for insurance.
For items or collections below a value of $1,000, the commission rate is 17.5% on the hammer price, plus 1.5% for insurance.
GST of 12.5% is payable only on the commission and any other services provided by Bethunes at Webb's. GST is not payable on the hammer price. There will be no charge for unsold lots unless the vendor has requested a reserve, whereupon a charge of $10 will apply for each reserve not reached.
Setting reserves
We do not encourage setting a reserve on a lot unless it is of significant value. When a reserve is requested it is expected to be a realistic estimate of what the lot might fetch in the current market. It should be considered the least amount one should expect to accept, not a figure one might hope to achieve.
Auction viewings
Auctions are public, with viewings on the two days prior to the sale.
Payment
Payment for lots sold will be issued within fourteen working days of the day of the sale, provided that Webb's are in receipt of cleared funds from the buyer.
