Category: Membership

AUCTION RULES

The submission of lots for sale or a bid or bids shall be taken as acceptance of these rules.

1. All lots are described as accurately as possible, but the descriptions are the opinions of either the Auctioneer or the Vendor. Each description is not intended to be, is not, and is not to be taken to be, a statement of fact or representation of fact.
2. Neither the Auctioneer nor the Vendors shall give any Warranty to any Purchaser, or be liable for any fault or error of description. However, if after the sale, the Purchaser of the lot shall prove it is not genuine or authentic, or was wrongly described, the Purchaser may return the lot, providing notice is given in writing within 7 days in the case of a buyer in the UK, and 14 days in the case of an overseas buyer, of the date of receipt of the lot concerned.
3. The Auctioneer reserves the right before and during a sale to group together lots belonging to the same Vendor, to split up and to withdraw any lot or lots at the Auctioneer’s discretion and without giving any reason in any case.
4. The Auctioneer acts as agent only, and therefore shall not be liable for any default of the Purchaser or Vendor.
5. The symbols used for descriptive purposes are: UMM – Unmounted Mint; Pmk – Postmark;
6. Catalogues, etc., most frequently referred to are: SG – Stanley Gibbons; RSC – Rhodesian Stamp Catalogue; ZCC – Zimbabwe Colour Catalogue; H & G – Higgins & Gage Postal Stationary Catalogue; H&L – Hoyte & Lashbrook’s “South of the Zambezi”; NoZ – Hoyte “North of the Zambesi”
7. Lots are sold at one bidding step above the second highest bid. All lots have a reserve that in most cases has been set by the Vendor, hence the occasional anomalies where identical lots have different reserves
8. The highest bidder for each lot shall be the purchaser, subject to any reserve price set by the Vendor.
9. The bidding and advances shall be regulated by and at the discretion of the Auctioneer, who has the right to refuse any bid or bids.
10. Bids should be made in accordance with the following bidding steps:

• Up to £5            – 25p
• £5.50 to £10     – 50p
• £11 to £20        – £1
• £21 to £50        – £2
• £52 to £100      – £5
• £105 to £300    – £10
• £310 to £600    – £25
• £625 to £1,000 – £50
• Over £1,050      – £100

11. Bids that are not in accordance with in accordance with these steps will be rounded downwards.
12. Rolling bids nor “Buy” bids are accepted.
13. In the event that two or more identical bids are made for the same lot, the one posted first will be accepted
14. In the event of a dispute arising as to the highest bidder, the Auctioneer shall have discretion to determine the dispute and re-sell the lot concerned.
15. Full payment, including insurance, postage and packing as charged, is to be made immediately upon receipt of invoice. There is no buyer’s premium. Cheques should be drawn on a British Bank made payable in sterling in favour of The Rhodesian Study Circle and not individual Officers. If for any reason this is not possible £4.00 must be added to the total to cover bank charges. Credit cards – Visa, MasterCard or American Express are no longer acceptable. Payments can be made by electronic bank transfer and through PayPal, details of which will be included in statements to winning bidders.
16. Lots will only be dispatched after payment has been cleared.
17. Lots will be dispatched by First Class Mail at a cost to be borne by the purchaser. The Auctioneer will offer the purchaser the opportunity to elect to pay for Recorded Mail or other available service for purchases in excess of £25. It should be noted that ordinary recorded (Signed For) delivery only covers for compensation for the value of goods up to £25 for UK buyers. For UK delivery the Post Office offers Next Day Delivery at a cost starting from £6.40, up to 100 gms, compensation for loss is up to £500. For International buyers, there is an additional cost to normal postage, with compensation available for non delivery of £25, unless higher insurance is taken out. Note the Post Office will not guarantee compensation to some destinations. The Auctioneer will advise on costs when invoicing for successful bids. Subject to change.
18. The RSC does not hold itself liable for loss in the post, so long as the goods are dispatched in accordance with buyer’s instructions/payment received.
19. Vendors will be charged 10% commission and will only be paid after all sold lots have been paid for and any returned lots have been accepted by the Auctioneer.

Notes for Vendors

Vendors must contact the auctioneer immediately on posting the lots for auction.

Please Contact Us for further details and instructions.

1. Lots containing less than 20 stamps must be supplied on a standard (6″ x 4″) three row stock card.
2. Album leaves shall be put in a protective envelope.
3. Postal history/postal stationary items should be put in a protective envelope.
4. All lots should be fully described, although amendments or abbreviations may be made at the Auctioneer’s discretion.
5. All lots should be numbered and cross-referenced with the description.
6. Lots will not be accepted without a vendor’s reserve in whole pounds.
7. Vendors may be charged commission on any lots withdrawn from sale after catalogue has been finalised.
8. All unsold lots will be returned to UK vendors at the end of the sale. If vendors wish to re-submit, they may do so, but the reserve/estimate must be adjusted downwards. Lots can only be resubmitted once.
9. Unsold lots will not be returned to overseas vendors, unless the Auctioneer is specifically requested to do so, but will be re-entered in the next available auction at a reserve of 15% less. If material fails to sell after two auctions, it will be returned.
10. Vendors are asked to make their minimum reserve of £3.
11. Members wishing to send a large consignment of lots should contact the Auctioneer first.