How It Works

If you’ve never sold at auction before, the process can feel unfamiliar. This page explains exactly what happens, step by step, from the moment you contact us to the moment you receive payment. There are no surprises.

Step 1: Get in touch

Contact us with details of what you’d like to sell. There are three ways to do this:

Bring your items to us. Our premises are at 4 Market Hill, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8NN. Walk in during opening hours (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 3pm) and we’ll have a look at what you’ve got. No appointment needed. There’s no charge for this.

Send us photographs by email. If you can’t visit in person, email clear photographs of your items to [email protected]. Include any information you have about the items: what they are, where they came from, any markings or hallmarks. We’ll reply with our opinion on what they’re likely to achieve at auction. There’s no charge for this either.

We come to you. If you have larger items, a significant quantity, or you’re unable to travel, we can visit you at home. This service is available within 20 miles of Clare for a fee of £60, which we’ll refund if lots in excess of £1,000 are consigned. Call us on 01787 827212 to arrange a visit.

At this stage, we’ll give you an honest opinion of what your items are likely to sell for. We won’t overvalue things to win your business and we won’t undervalue them either. If something isn’t suitable for auction, we’ll tell you.

Step 2: We agree on the details

If you’re happy to proceed, we’ll talk through a few things:

Which sale? We run regular auctions, both live in our Clare saleroom and online as timed sales. We’ll advise which format and date suits your items best.

Reserve or no reserve? A reserve is a minimum price below which your item won’t sell. Not all items need one. For our General Sales, lots go in without a reserve. For Premium Sales, you can choose to set a reserve (£12 entry fee) or go without (£10 entry fee). We’ll help you decide what makes sense.

Fees. You pay a flat entry fee per lot. That is the only charge. There is no seller commission, no percentage taken from the sale price, and no hidden costs. The entry fees are:

To put that in perspective: at most auction houses, if your item sells for £1,000, you’d lose between £100 and £250 in seller’s commission. At Clare Auction, you’d pay £10 or £12. The rest is yours.

Step 3: We prepare your items for sale

Once your items are with us, we take it from here. We will:

Photograph everything. Every lot is photographed for the catalogue. Clear, well-lit images help buyers see what they’re bidding on, which means better prices for you.

Write the catalogue descriptions. We describe each lot accurately, noting condition, materials, markings, and anything else relevant. For precious metals, we test and weigh items. For coins, we identify denominations, dates, and condition.

Market the sale. Your lots are listed on our website and promoted across online auction platforms. This gives your items exposure to buyers around the world, not just people who happen to walk into a local saleroom.

You don’t need to do anything during this stage. If we have any questions about your items, we’ll be in touch.

Step 4: The auction takes place

We hold two types of sale:

Live sales take place in our saleroom at Clare Town Hall. Bidders can attend in person, bid by telephone, leave an absentee bid, or bid live online. These are lively, fast-paced events and often produce strong prices when multiple bidders compete for the same lot.

Timed online sales run over several days. Bidders can place bids at any time during the sale window. If a bid comes in during the final minutes, the closing time extends automatically, so there’s no risk of last-second sniping. This format works well for larger catalogues and gives buyers plenty of time to find and bid on your items.

You don’t need to attend either type of sale. Many of our sellers don’t. We handle everything in the saleroom and online.

Step 5: You get paid

After the sale:

Payment. We pay you by BACS bank transfer, normally within 10 working days of the sale.

Statement. You’ll receive a full itemised statement showing each lot, the price it achieved, and the entry fee deducted. Everything is transparent.

That’s it. No chasing invoices, no waiting months, no complicated fee breakdowns.

What If My Item Doesn’t Sell?

It happens. Not every lot finds a buyer on the day. If an item doesn’t sell, we’ll discuss the options with you. In most cases, we can offer the item in the next suitable sale. We won’t pressure you into accepting a lower reserve or making decisions you’re not comfortable with.

Questions People Often Ask at This Stage

Is my item insured while it’s with you? Yes. Items in our care are covered by our insurance. We’ll look after your belongings as if they were our own.

Can I change my mind after consigning? Yes, as long as the item has not yet been sold. There may be a withdrawal fee, so speak to us first.

How do you decide what my item is worth? We base our estimates on current market conditions, recent comparable sales, and our experience. We’ll always be honest with you. If we think your expectations are unrealistic, we’ll say so rather than take the item in and disappoint you later.

I’ve never been to an auction. Will I understand what’s happening? You’re welcome to attend any of our live sales as a spectator before deciding to sell. It’s the best way to see how it works and meet the team. You’ll find us friendly and easy to talk to.

I’m not local. Can I still sell with you? Yes. We work with sellers from across the UK. Contact us by phone or email and we’ll discuss how to get your items to us.

Ready to get started?

Phone: 01787 827212

Email: [email protected]

Visit: 4 Market Hill, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8NN

Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 3pm. Free appraisals for walk-ins and email enquiries.