BUYING STAMPS VIA CAVENDISH

THE STAMPS & OTHER MATERIAL
Cavendish is a consignment-only Auction House, where all the material in its auctions has been consigned by individuals and collectors, and only material of a sufficiently high quality is included. Cavendish does not buy material to sell on its own account as some smaller ‘auctioneers’ do, because this could lead to a conflict of interest when setting estimates, or when being entrusted with buyers' bids. Cavendish's sales include only material from genuine original sources, and very often the collector-owners of the larger Collections are clearly identified to guarantee the provenance of the material being sold. 

THE CATALOGUE & ITS DESCRIPTIONS
Cavendish's catalogues are profusely illustrated, and it is their describers' aim to make their descriptions brief, clear and yet easily understood, with the items offered being fairly described and valued. The formidable expertise already accumulated by Cavendish's in-house experts means that questions of doubtful authenticity seldom arise; however, bidders are always at liberty to seek second opinions prior to a sale. If any significant doubts are raised, these should be made known to Cavendish well in advance of the auction, and if necessary an extension of the normal time-limit for the completion of the purchase of a lot after the sale can be extended, to allow for the opinion of an accredited British Expert Committee to be obtained.

ESTIMATED VALUATIONS
The ‘Estimates’ given are the valuers' careful assessment of what the lot is likely to fetch on the day; but for rarer or more unusual items, or for material in a volatile market, they can become a starting point. On average, lots sell at Cavendish for between 10% & 20% more than the ‘Estimates’, but no lots are offered at less than the standard ‘Reserve’ price which is usually set at 70% of the ‘Estimate’. Catalogues are available by subscription, or in full on the Internet . 

VIEWING & ADVICE
Reasonable quantities of photocopies of lots in any auction are provided free of charge to interested buyers, and suitable lots can be sent by post for inspection to clients known to us (please contact us for details). Cavendish's describers are also always happy to provide further verbal descriptions of specific lots by telephone (10a.m. to 4.30p.m., Monday to Friday except auction days). Personal viewing times in Derby are published in each catalogue, as are details of viewing arrangements at Exhibitions in London and elsewhere. 

BIDDING BY POST, PHONE E-MAIL AND FAX
Bidding by post is simplicity itself; merely complete the Bid-form from the catalogue or via this site, with your lot numbers and maximum bids (and total budgets where necessary), and send it to Cavendish House. Bids can also be place by phone. Cavendish makes no charge for executing your bids on your behalf, and will always treat your bids with strictest confidence and endeavour to buy lots as cheaply as possible for you.

 BIDDING IN PERSON
‘Live’ bidding by phone can also be arranged (subject to availability; a nominal charge is made for this service). Auction Agents who will carry out your bids in person on your behalf can also be recommended; all the major Agents regularly attend the sales at Cavendish House. (They will make a small charge for this service.) Bidding in person on auction day is not as nerve-wracking as many people assume; many of Cavendish's regular attendees come for the entertainment as much as for the stamps! Each bidder is provided with a personal Bidder Number, which they show to the auctioneer when they win a lot. Subtle bidding techniques are permitted, but novices need not fear that the twitch of an eyebrow will unexpectedly buy them a lot! 

THE ‘BUYERS' PREMIUM’
This is an additional percentage charge payable on the hammer-price of every lot by all buyers, as shown in Cavendish catalogues. This is a universal industry-wide premium charged by all the major Auction Houses in the world, to enable them to split the costs of running their auctions between buyers and sellers alike.

 RESULTS FOR BIDDERS
These can be obtained via this site shortly after the end of any auction. Results can also be given by phone from the first working day after the auction, but it is helpful if you can avoid phoning during the morning immediately after the auction. 

INVOICES FOR BUYERS
Both personal and postal buyers have an obligation to pay for the lots that they have bought as soon as possible, by cheque, cash or credit card (there is a small surcharge for the use of the latter). Personal buyers can pay for, and take, lots at any time during the auction, as long as their credit worthiness has been established in advance. Lots are sent out by post to other buyers as soon as possible during the week after the sale once payment has been received, although this may take a little longer during exceptionally busy periods. 

CONCLUSION
Cavendish relies upon its buyers to ensure its continuing success. The staff will be happy at any time to provide further advice or more detailed information on any aspect of buying at auction that is not covered by the information here. All comments and suggestions will be gratefully and sympathetically received. Please see Terms and Conditions for further information.