A Guide for Vendors

Appraisals

Bethunes at Webb's will appraise your items free of charge. You are welcome to bring the materials to the gallery without making an appointment every Monday between 9:00am and 12:00pm. A specialist is available at other times by appointment. You can request a home visit if you have a substantial collection that you wish to have assessed. Regular visits are made to the main centres of New Zealand, and special visits will be made for exceptional collections.

Bethunes at Webb's will suggest estimates and reserves based on the current auction market, and will advise you of the date of the next suitable auction.

Bethunes at Webb's accepts 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 9 529 5602, or email bethunes@webbs.co.nz.

Are my items worth auctioning?

At auction, each lot is expected to realise a minimum of $100. Items of lesser value may be able to be grouped together. Such items may also be accepted if they are of especial interest or form part of a substantial collection. Estimates are noted in the catalogue for most lots; reserves are not. If bidding on a given lot fails to meet reserve, the lot is passed in.

Consigning items

When you decide to consign your items for auction through Bethunes at Webb's you will be provided with a formal contract for sale. The conditions of sale are detailed on the reverse of the contract.

Commission rates for vendors

For items or collections valued at more than $5,000, the commission rate is 15% of the hammer price, plus 1.5% for insurance.

For items or collections valued at $1,000 to $5,000, the commission rate is 17.5% of the hammer price, plus 1.5% for insurance.

For items or collections valued at less than $1,000, the commission rate is 20% of the hammer price, plus 1.5% for insurance.

GST of 15% 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 is no charge for unsold lots.

Reserves

Bethunes at Webb's does not encourage reserving a given 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.

Payment

Payment for lots sold will be issued within fourteen working days of the auction, provided that Webb's is in receipt of cleared funds from the buyer.