Registration
In order to bid on sale items pre-registration is required.
This must be completed in advance using the on-line Bidding Registration Form for those wishing to bid remotely, or on the day for those attending the auction to bid in person (where applicable).
Once registered you will be provided with a “paddle number” which will be used to identify you during bidding and payment, on-line bidding will remain anonymous. Paddle numbers will be emailed to online bidders shortly before the commencement of the auction. In person bidders will be issued their paddle number at registration on the day.
Bidding
Bidding may be carried out in the following ways:
- By pre-bid – an on-line bid to your desired upper limit may be placed against your chosen item and the software will bid on your behalf until either you have won the item, or your bid limit is reached.
- Auto Pre-bidding in advance (Autobid) – When using the Autobid feature the amount entered is an instruction to the system of the maximum amount you are prepared to bid. Auto-bids are placed at the current hammer price by the system in accordance with the current bid increment.
- Important Note:– Where you are winning an item with an Autobid one increment below the maximum level you are prepared to bid, you will not win the item if a bid is placed by another bidder at your maximum level. This is a function of how the software works which prevents a user from making consecutive bids (bidding against yourself).
- On-line live on the day – view and bid through the auction website as though you are in the room….but with the benefit of your own settee. (pre-registration required).
- Live in the room on the day (where applicable) – Just like the auctions on TV, register on the day, wave your paddle number to bid, collect your items at the end of the sale.
The auctioneer will run proceedings at a pace that reflects the activity.
Purchasers Payment – please read carefully
- In person attendees can pay for, and collect items on the day, pay at the Reception desk and wait for your items to be brought out to you.
- Items to be collected at a later date – once the auction has finished send an Email to lisa@bmfa.org to indicate that you will be collecting your items and an indication of when. You will receive an invoice by Email (generally by the Monday after the auction)
- To make a payment please call 0116 2441085 on Monday or you can pay by bank transfer, details will be on your invoice.
- Items for posting/courier – if you would like your items sending to you, please inform Lisa when you call to make your payment, and you will be advised of the additional cost for postage. If you wish to make your payment by bank transfer, you will need to email Lisa and ask what the additional cost will be to send your items. You can then add this to your invoice cost.
- Your items will be sent to the address you have registered with, unless you have stated otherwise. Please confirm this when you make your payment.
- Do not try to pay your invoice using your auction log-in account – wait until we Email you an invoice.
Posting of purchased items
- We are able to offer a packaging and delivery option using a courier to send most purchased items to a specified address.
- The cost for this service will be the courier fee (charged at cost) plus a packaging fee, this will of course depend on the size, weight, and quantity of items.
- High value items will require an additional level of insurance cover in place.
- Items that we are unable to courier or post are marked as “collection only” in the auction listing.
Terms and Conditions
- Buyer’s premium on hammer price is 12% (plus VAT on commission only).
- Items are described, listed and estimated in all good faith.
- The BMFA makes no guarantees or warranties regarding the condition of lots, all lots are sold “as found”.
- No liability is accepted by the BMFA, for loss, damage or liabilities incurred after an item has been transacted (sold and paid for).
- Items purchased, viewed and un-viewed, are purchased entirely at the purchaser’s own risk.
- The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the buyer and if any dispute arises between the bidders regarding any lot offered in this auction or any other related matter, the lotting dispute shall, at the auctioneer's discretion either be immediately put up again and resold, or the most senior member of staff in attendance at the time reserves the right to decide the dispute and their decision shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.
- The title of goods passes to the purchaser only after payment in full has been made to the BMFA and funds cleared.
Item Descriptions
We of course endeavour to describe items as accurately as possible, it is in nobody’s interest to mis-describe lots.
The catalogue images form an important part of the overall description and are reproduced at sufficient resolution that they can be “zoomed in” to view the detail, of course, some aspects cannot be shown with pictures, engine listings generally include two images in order to show both sides, kit listings consist of one image that shows the box condition and an overview of the contents and condition.
Engines – we carry out an overall inspection which provides a “condition summary", clearly we can’t inspect the internals, but we do where possible turn them over by hand, if it is seized then the description will reflect this and also provide some detail i.e. “seized through standing.” We also indicate whether it is new, un-run or has had light use.
Kits – when describing kits for listing it is not possible to remove all contents from the box and establish that every component or part is present, we aim to produce an image that gives an idea of the condition of the contents and also we provide a verbal description of the condition of box and contents, and also an indication of whether it has been started and a best guess at its completeness.
Boxes – Where an engine has an original, or correct reproduction box then at least one of the associated images will include the box, where an engine includes a non-original or plain box then it does not feature in the images, it is also generally referred in the description where relevant.
Kit boxes are shown in the associated image and accompanied by a verbal condition assessment i.e. “minor crushing – aged – minor tape staining”
Airframes – we carry out an overall condition survey and describe any exterior defects or points of note as accurately as possible. Where possible the internal equipment fit is surveyed and detailed in the description, however, in some cases the internals cannot be accessed so a “best guess” is applied based on what can be seen. As many of the airframes (and kits) in this sale are still commercially available, the manufacturers website can form a useful resource for detailed information not included in the catalogue listing.
This process is open to a degree of personal interpretation, and of course there is always the potential for human error given the high number of Lots that we process.
Disputes
With respect to the comments above it should be clear that we accept there can be errors or omissions in the listing process…..we are human.
Should you purchase an item, that on inspection you feel is not as described (or indeed spot an incorrect listing) then the first step is to raise it with me (as the person with overall responsibility for the auction).
Previous experience from the small number of disputes we have dealt with, has been that we have resolved disputes or errors in a straightforward and amicable manner.
If your first action is to visit your favourite forum or social media platform to complain about the injustice of it all before giving us the chance to address the issue, then it makes it more difficult to subsequently arrive at an equitable outcome.
Etiquette and conduct on the day for in Person Auctions
Please note the start time for each day and ensure that you are seated and ready for this time.
Please assist the auction process by keeping noise to a minimum during the proceedings.
Please ensure that your bid indications are clear, there will be a “spotter” on duty to assist the Auctioneer as it is a large space to cover.
It is likely that there will be short comfort breaks which will be scheduled to provide a natural break in the proceedings.
Food and drink may be consumed in the Hangar in the vicinity of the seating area and also to the rear of the seating area.
No food or drink to be taken to the viewing areas or in the near vicinity of Lots.
Thank you for your co-operation and support, we hope you have an enjoyable event.
MW