Expat Auctions will provide experienced personnel, a professional and ethical environment, and a safe and secure means of transporting and storing items.
Whilst our premises are insured against fire and theft we accept no liability for damage to goods presented for sale whilst they are in our possession.
We encourage you to read through our Terms and Conditions carefully prior to engaging Expat Auctions for your consignment
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The Consignment (Sales) Process
Due to the number of items Expat Auctions are ask to access and take to auction unless there are a significant number of items or special circumstances the consignment process is coordinated via email. We will need a list of items emailed to admin@expatauctions.com.sg including if possible:
- A detailed description including dimensions and condition
- Any provenance (background) on the item if it is an older or asian piece.
- If you would like to set a reserve, what price you would like. Please note that a reserve exists for 2 auctions and then goods are presented in up to 2 further auctions without reserve. Please also note that generally 85% of the items taken sell within the first 2 auctions.
- A high resolution (large) photograph of each piece. Many of our clients attempt to send low resolution photos such as those taken from iPhones. This does not allow us to view the item well as not enough detail is visible.
- Whether you would deliver the goods to Expat Auctions or whether you would like us to pick them up.
- Whether your goods can be accepted into the auction.
- Whether your prices would be achievable
- Costs to pickup if required and possible pickup times.
Expat Auctions cannot take receipt of your goods until we both agree on what items are to be auctioned and reserves (if any) that you may want to set.
It is rare that an item remains unsold for longer than the initial 2 Auctions – in fact generally 85% of items are sold within the first 2 auctions. However a reserve price can only be held for 2 Auctions. After this time the reserve is lifted and goods are sold to the highest bidder unless the seller informs Expat Auctions in writing that they wish to withdraw their property from sale. Should there be no bids placed on your item and it remains unsold for 3 months we will dispose of the item (often to a charity) unless a seller chooses to take back possession at their own expense and effort. We will contact sellers via their nominated contact details before any action of this nature is taken.
Sales commissions are calculated at 25% of the hammer price once your furniture has sold. GST is not charged.
Consigner Terms and Conditions
The following are the Terms and Conditions present on the “Consignment Agreement and Submission” form that must be completed prior to goods being accepted into auction. All clauses are important however the seller should take special note of clauses 7 (Reserves), 8 (Disposal), 13 (Commission) and 14 (Payment):
1. This consignment form confirms agreement entered into by consignor (herein after the “Seller”) and consignee (hereinafter “Expat Auctions”) in which Expat Auctions will undertake to sell certain property (as described under “Consignment Items”) at a forthcoming public auction of Expat Auctions Pte Ltd.
2. The Seller grants Expat Auctions the exclusive right to sell the property subject to the provisions set forth below.
3. Once this consignment agreement is executed, the Seller may not withdraw the property.
4. Expat Auctions will pay all costs of publishing and distributing the auction catalogue, which may be a printed paper catalogue, or by publication on the Expat Auctions web site and facebook page.
5. The Seller declares that he/she/it is the legal owner of the described property and has and will continue to have the right to legally convey title to the material inventoried in the Consignment Items, that such consignment items will remain free and clear of liens, encumbrances, and claims of third parties; and that clear title and right to possession will pass to the buyer.
6. The Seller will indemnify, defend, and hold Expat Auctions harmless from and against any claims, suits, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses arising from any breach or failure of any of Seller’s representations and warranties contained in this agreement.
7. Sellers may set a reserve price on any of their items presented for sale. If the item does not sell Expat Auctions will contact the Seller who may wish to re-offer it in an upcoming auction. If the Seller chooses to re-offer their property the reserve price may be readjusted. However, a reserve price can only be held for 2 consecutive auctions. After this time the reserve is lifted and goods are sold to the highest bidder unless, the seller informs Expat Auctions in writing that they wish to withdraw their property from sale.
8. Should any items remain unsold after being presented for 4 auctions Expat Auctions will dispose of the item unless the seller chooses to take back possession at his/her/ its/their own expense and effort. Should there be a cost involved in the disposal of the furniture this too will be borne by the seller.
9. White goods and electrical items, aged 2 years or less, will only be accepted if they are in working order and good condition. Proof of purchase is required to determine the age of the goods.
10. Computers may not be presented for sale through Expat Auctions.
11. In the instance where the Seller is a GST registered company Expat Auctions will charge buyers the applicable GST for those items listed for sale by the Seller.
12. Commission to be paid to Expat Auctions is netted from gross proceeds of the sale exclusive of GST (Expat Auctions is a non-GST registered company). Commission is calculated on volume of sales per auction.
13. Commission is calculated at 25% of the hammer price.
14. Settlement for sold property will be made within 30 days of receipt of payment for the property. Seller’s proceeds from the sale will be the hammer price realised at the sale less the commission to Expat Auctions, as described above.
15. Payments to Seller by Expat Auctions is made either by cheque in SGD or electronic transfer into a Singapore Account. Payment may also be made subject to mutual agreement in the Seller’s preferred currency at the banks prevailing exchange rates less bank fees.
16. Expat Auctions charges a 10% buyer’s premium on each lot sold. Such buyer’s premium will be added to the hammer price, forming the purchase price of the lot, which is payable by the buyer. Any such buyer’s premium is excluded from establishing the consignor’s proceeds from the sale, which shall be determined based solely upon the hammer price of the lot, as described above.
17. Whilst our premises are insured against fire and theft Expat Auctions accepts no liability for damage to goods presented for sale whilst they are in our possession.
18. Expat Auctions shall not be held liable for any transport or freight charges.
19. The Seller and Expat Auctions agree to, and fully understand, the above terms. This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Seller and Expat Auctions and may be changed only by mutual agreement in writing.
20. This agreement is governed by Singapore law.
