Buying with Gorringe's

Browse, Bid and Buy Online, In-Person or by Telephone

Each Monday, excluding bank holidays, we hold our weekly auction sale. And across the year we offer a number of dedicated Fine Art, antique and collectables sales too.

To learn about upcoming sales — View Our Auction Calendar

Browsing at Auction

Browsing The Lots In Advance

At Gorringe’s, viewing is offered both on our Website and on these Platforms.

In-Person Viewing

Weekly Sales

For our weekly sales, in-person viewing normally takes place on the Friday and Saturday prior to the Monday sale. It’s possible also to view lots on the morning of each sale. This usually commences 8:00 a.m. for a 9:30 start.

Fine Art Sales

For our Fine Art sales, in-person viewing normally takes place over three full days: the Friday, Saturday and Monday prior to the Tuesday sale.

For sale dates and viewing hours — View our Auction Calendar

Online Viewing

Viewing lots online is easy and convenient.

View our Auction Calendar to browse items featuring in all of our scheduled sales, these are available one week before the sale.

This is also the place where you can register to bid.

Pre-Sale Email Sign-Up

Sign up for our weekly email newsletter. You’ll be among the first to learn about what’s going under the hammer at our auction sales.

Lot Alert Service

Our Lot Alert Service matches your keywords (for example, ‘Meissen’ or ‘Dinky’) to our items. Terrific for keeping track of new pieces, you will receive an email whenever we list a matching item for sale.

Bidding at Auction

Bidding Live Online

Locate yourself at the heart of the auction without leaving your home or office.

At Gorringe’s, we use two market-leading, user-friendly platforms - The Saleroom and EasyLive - for live real-time bidding.

Just follow the links to register with The Saleroom and/or EasyLive

Please note that these registrations are separate from your My Gorringe’s account, which is the place to leave pre-sale/commission bids, request condition reports and update your details.

Bidding In-Person at Auction

After registering at the saleroom, you’ll receive a numbered paddle. To make a bid, it’s simply a case of raising the paddle. Your auctioneer will note each winning bid.

It’s worth knowing that Gorringe’s will retain items until cheque payments clear. Cash and card purchases clear immediately, so items paid by these methods can be taken away on payment.

When registering at the saleroom, we’ll ask for proof of identity - a passport or driving license, for example - and a credit or debit card.

Live Telephone Bidding

To arrange a telephone bid, we will ask you to complete a Telephone Bid Form, providing credit/debit card details, proof of identity and your telephone number.

On the day of the sale, a Gorringe’s representative will call you approximately five lots prior to your lot coming under the hammer. We’ll talk you through the bidding and you’ll be asked at each stage if you wish to continue - either until you are successful or until you choose to stop bidding.

Please note that telephone bids are offered on a first-come-first-served basis and may be subject to a minimum lot value. We ask that telephone bids be booked in advance. Contact us for more information.

Leaving an Absentee Online Bid

To place a bid, first log in to your My Gorringe’s account.

Not yet registered? It’s fast and easy. Just follow the sign-up process here We’ll confirm your registration in an email. Once registered, you’re ready to place bids in any of our sales.

Your bid will immediately begin competing with other online bids. If you are outbid before the auction starts in the room, an email will let you know. From there, you’ll have the option to increase your bid.

The cut-off for absentee online bids is two hours before the sale starts.

Absentee Bidding by Telephone

Gorringe’s is happy to place absentee telephone bids on your behalf.

With your written permission, we will act as your representative to secure an item at the lowest possible price.

To confirm your bid, please complete our Absentee Bid Form You’ll find this form also in the sale catalogue.

On the form, you’ll indicate your maximum hammer price for any specific lot. Please take into account the additional buyer's premium and any applicable VAT.

You may telephone your bid to us at least 24 hours before the start of the auction. If we receive two bids of equal value, preference is given to the bid that arrives first.

On the day of the sale, please check whether your bid has been successful by telephoning our office an hour or so after the end of the sale. Otherwise, a successful bid is confirmed by invoice.

Please ensure that Gorringe’s has received cleared payment prior to you collecting your lot.

After the Auction

Auction Outcome

It’s simple for both online and telephone bidders to learn the outcome of an auction. And as well as recent results, past auction outcomes are viewable too. Search Results

What Will I Be Charged?

At Gorringe’s, transparency is important. Here, we present full details of charges and fees.

Buyer's Premium

The Conditions of Sale oblige buyers to pay a buyer's premium of 25% plus VAT* plus any associated live bidding fees on the hammer price of each lot purchased.

These live bidding fees are charged as follows:

EasyLive Charges

If using EasyLive Bidding, there is an additional charge of 3% (total 28% plus VAT) or a flat fee of £3 to register to bid with EasyLive.

The Saleroom Charges

If bidding via The Saleroom there is an additional charge of 4.95% (total 29.95% plus VAT)

Invaluable Charges

For buyers live-bidding, via Invaluable, there is a 5% charge (30% plus VAT).

VAT on Hammer Prices

*VAT (†) indicates that VAT is payable by the purchaser at the standard rate (presently 20%) on the hammer price as well as being an element in the buyer's premium.

This imposition of VAT is likely to be because the seller is registered for VAT within the European Union and is not operating the Dealers Margin Scheme or because VAT is due at 20% on importation into the UK.

The double symbol (**) indicates that the lot has been imported from outside the European Union and the present position is that these lots are liable to a reduced rate of VAT (5%) on the gross lot price (i.e. both the hammer price and the buyer's premium).

Lots that appear without either of the above symbols indicate that no VAT is payable on the hammer price. This is because such lots are sold using the Auctioneers' Margin Scheme and it should be noted that the VAT included within the premium is not recoverable as input tax.

Payment and Invoice

The price you pay is the amount at which the auctioneer's hammer falls (the hammer price), plus a buyer's premium (a percentage of the final hammer price) and VAT where applicable.

You are issued with an invoice made out to the name and address on your Registration Form, which may not be subsequently altered. Full details of charges and rates can be found in the Conditions of Sale printed in each catalogue.

How to Make a Payment

Bank Transfer

Please ensure all transfers state the relevant sale number, lot number and your bid/paddle number. If transferring from a foreign currency, the amount we receive must be the total due in pounds sterling (after currency conversion and the deduction of any bank charges), plus £15 to cover bank charges.

Debit Cards Drawn on a UK Bank

There is no additional charge for purchases made with these cards. Debit cards drawn on an overseas bank or deferred debit cards will be subject to a 2% surcharge.

Unfortunately, we do not accept credit cards.

Worldpay

This method ensures a secure online payment. Please follow the link on your invoice.

Sterling Cash

Payments of up to £8,000 can be made at the Cashier’s Office, either during or after a sale.

Collection & Shipping

Please Note Collections are by Appointment Only.

Collection In-Person

To save you from having to wait, we operate a mandatory booking system for collections.

Packing and Shipment by Gorringe’s

Whilst shipping, subject to each item, is at Gorringe’s discretion, we always do our best to offer this service.

As delivery costs vary depending on item(s) and destination(s), we are pleased to provide quotes upon request.

We pack items in-house and charge a low £10 packing fee for most pieces, with only larger objects such as paintings attracting an additional fee.

We can also arrange shipment for items not requiring specialist packing or insurance services. We will combine multiple purchases to as few parcels as is practical.

Subject to demand we aim to have items packed within 5 working days from the date of sale.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer alcohol shipping.

For items such as paintings with delicate frames, porcelain figures and glass we use alternative carriers such as Mailboxes. These firms offer more attractive insurance arrangements than most parcel companies, combined with specialist packing skills.

Unfortunately, we do not offer shipping outside of the UK but can recommend specialist shippers.

Delivery of Larger Items

Where possible, we can arrange for local deliveries of furniture and delivery throughout the country by arrangement. Just ask and we’ll do our best to help, please Contact Us.

Arranging for Collection

If you are arranging for a courier to collect your items, you will need to book an appointment on their behalf. Please see the list below of courier companies who will be happy to assist you, we would advise that you obtain a quote for costs beforehand. You are, of course, very welcome to use an alternative courier.

We request that you pay for and arrange a collection as soon as possible.

All collections will be from 15 North Street, Lewes East Sussex BN7 2PE.

Storage Charges for Furniture

Furniture and Carpets not collected by the date stated in your invoice email (typically one week after the sale date) will attract a storage charge of £5 (+VAT) per day per lot.