Terms and Conditions

About Us

Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales under company number 12431684.

Our registered office is located at Unit F, The Sockmine Business Park, Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 5LA.

For all enquiries, please contact us at office@carpenterandcartwright.co.uk.

Our VAT registration number is 350524035.

General Terms and Conditions of Sale

These Terms and Conditions govern the sale of goods by Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd (hereafter referred to as "the Auctioneers").

By registering for or participating in our online auctions, buyers and bidders agree to these Terms and Conditions, subject to any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Our online auction platform, BIDLOGIX, provides the technology used to host and administer our auctions. Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd is responsible for the auction listings, descriptions and sale of goods in accordance with applicable law.

Participation and Approval

  • The Auctioneers reserve the right to approve, decline or suspend bidder registrations where reasonably necessary, including for security, suspected fraudulent activity, breaches of these Terms and Conditions or other legitimate business reasons.
  • All visitors to our premises, including the auction warehouse, car park and collection areas, must follow staff instructions and comply with applicable health and safety requirements.
  • Visitors are responsible for taking reasonable care for their own safety and belongings while on our premises.
  • The Auctioneers shall not be responsible for loss or damage arising from circumstances for which they are not legally liable.
  • Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or restricts liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Auction Schedule and Location

Our online timed furniture auctions take place every week, commencing on Tuesday at 18:00, with bidding closing from 12:00 noon on Wednesday.

All bidding takes place through our online auction platform. Customers can view lots in person by appointment on Wednesday mornings between 09:30 and 12:00 at our saleroom in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, just off Junction 28 of the M1.

Registration and Deposits

  • All new bidders must register through our website and pay a refundable security deposit of £250 before being approved to bid in our online auctions.
  • Stripe Payments: Stripe is used exclusively for processing bidder security deposits. Stripe cannot be used to pay for auction purchases, outstanding invoices or buyer's premiums.
  • Auction Payments: All successful auction purchases must be paid for separately by bank transfer, in accordance with our Payment and Collection terms.
  • New bidders are initially subject to a temporary spending limit of £3,000. Requests to increase this limit may be considered at the Auctioneers' discretion, subject to additional verification or security requirements.
  • The Auctioneers reserve the right to verify bidder information and refuse or suspend bidding privileges where reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, non-payment or breaches of these Terms and Conditions.
  • The £250 security deposit is refundable in accordance with our deposit refund policy. Any deductions or retention of deposits must be consistent with the terms disclosed to bidders and applicable law.

Payment and Collection

  • All purchases must be paid for in full and collected by 12:00 noon on the Friday following the auction.
  • Collection Times:
  • Thursday: 09:30 – 14:30
  • Friday: 09:30 – 12:00

Collections are not permitted on auction day (Wednesday). Any goods remaining uncollected after the stated deadline will be subject to storage charges of £25 + VAT per lot, per day, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

  • Payment is accepted by bank transfer only.
  • Ownership passes to the buyer at the fall of the hammer. Goods are the responsibility of the buyer from that point forward.
  • Goods will not be released until payment is received in full.
  • Furniture Home Delivery: Customers can arrange furniture home delivery through our independent delivery partner, Heavyweight Couriers. Delivery is optional and is not included in the auction purchase price. All delivery quotations, bookings, charges and arrangements are handled directly between the buyer and Heavyweight Couriers. Buyers are advised to obtain a delivery quotation before bidding and must ensure that their purchases are paid for in full before collection by the courier. Delivery arrangements do not automatically extend our stated collection deadlines. To request a free, no-obligation quotation, visit https://sccbookings.co.uk/carpenter-cartwright/.

Descriptions, Grading & Viewing

  • All lots are sold as seen, subject to buyers' statutory rights. Viewing is strongly recommended and is available by appointment only on the day of the auction.
  • We make every reasonable effort to ensure lot descriptions and photographs are accurate. However, descriptions, photographs and condition grades are provided as guidance and may not identify every defect. Buyers should carefully review all available information and inspect goods where possible before bidding.
  • Buyers are responsible for checking the dimensions, condition, specifications and suitability of items before placing a bid.

Grading Guide

  • Grade A: Excellent overall condition. Items may be new, unused, ex-display or customer returns. Packaging may be damaged or missing, and minor imperfections may be present.
  • Grade B: Good overall condition, with signs of previous use, handling or display. Items may have minor cosmetic marks, scuffs or imperfections.
  • Grade C: Items showing noticeable wear, damage, defects or faults. Repairs, cleaning or replacement parts may be required. Items may be incomplete.

Individual lot descriptions should be read alongside the grading guide, as the condition and characteristics of each item may vary.

Liability and Returns

  • All bids are binding, and buyers are responsible for inspecting lot descriptions, photographs, condition reports and grading information before bidding.
  • Lots are sold in their stated condition, including any faults, damage or imperfections disclosed in the auction listing.
  • Returns or refunds are not accepted solely because a buyer changes their mind.
  • Where goods are damaged by the Auctioneers or their staff, the Auctioneers will assess the circumstances and provide an appropriate remedy where legally required.
  • Any concerns regarding purchased goods must be reported to Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd as soon as reasonably possible.

Under 16 Policy

  • No persons under the age of 16 are permitted in the auction house.

Storage and Handling

  • Buyers collecting their purchases are responsible for providing suitable vehicles, equipment and assistance to safely load and transport their goods.
  • Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd is not obliged to provide loading assistance. Any assistance provided is subject to staff availability and applicable legal responsibilities.
  • All purchases must be collected within the stated collection times unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • A storage charge of £25 + VAT per lot, per day applies to goods remaining uncollected after the collection deadline, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • Customers arranging delivery through Heavyweight Couriers remain responsible for ensuring their purchases are paid for in full and collected by the agreed deadline. Booking delivery does not automatically extend the collection period unless otherwise agreed.

Online Bidding Disclaimer

  • All bidding takes place through our online auction platform. Buyers are responsible for ensuring they have a reliable internet connection, suitable equipment and sufficient time to place their bids.
  • Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd cannot guarantee uninterrupted access to the online bidding platform and shall not be responsible for failed, delayed or unsuccessful bids caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
  • In the event of technical failures, system errors, suspected fraudulent activity, bidding irregularities or interference with the auction platform, the Auctioneers reserve the right to suspend, extend, cancel or re-offer affected lots where reasonably necessary to protect the integrity of the auction.
  • The Auctioneers' decisions regarding bidding disputes and auction irregularities shall be made reasonably and in accordance with applicable law.
  • Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or restricts any liability or statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Buyer's Premium and VAT

A buyer's premium of 26.5% plus VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 20%) is payable on the hammer price of every lot purchased.

VAT may also be payable on the hammer price of individual lots where applicable. This will be indicated in the auction listing.

Example Calculation – £100 Hammer Price

  • Hammer Price: £100.00
  • Buyer's Premium (26.5%): £26.50
  • VAT on Buyer's Premium (20%): £5.30
  • Total Payable (excluding any VAT on the hammer price): £131.80

Where VAT is also applicable to the hammer price, an additional £20.00 would be payable, bringing the total to £151.80.

All buyers are responsible for checking the applicable VAT charges before placing a bid.

Branding and Trademarks

  • Any furniture or other goods sold as de-branded must remain de-branded. Buyers must not reattach, reproduce or use any removed manufacturer's branding, labels, trademarks or logos without the appropriate authorisation.
  • Buyers are responsible for ensuring that any subsequent resale, advertising or marketing of purchased goods complies with applicable trademark, intellectual property and consumer protection laws.
  • Where a buyer breaches these requirements, Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd reserves the right to restrict or refuse their participation in future auctions, where reasonably justified.

Legal and Liability

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory rights available to consumers.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd shall not be liable for:

  • Loss of profits, revenue, business or anticipated savings arising from commercial activities.
  • Business interruption or loss of commercial opportunities.
  • Indirect or consequential losses, where such exclusions are permitted by law.

Buyers are responsible for inspecting goods and reviewing lot descriptions before bidding. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or restricts any statutory rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude or limit our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

Privacy and Data Protection

Carpenter & Cartwright Furniture Auctions Ltd is committed to protecting your personal information and handling it in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

Personal information may be processed for purposes including administering customer accounts, registering bidders, processing auction transactions, communicating with customers and fulfilling our legal obligations.

Further information about how we collect, use, store and protect personal information, including your data protection rights, is available in our Privacy Policy.