Q: Are you one of the best antiques experts?

 

A: “No, when I joined Goldings at 21, I knew all there was to know about antiques! Sadly, I think I believed it. Now I know that the voids in my knowledge are in need of restoration, some beyond repair. I am not academic and I understand my limitations. It took years of re-sits to pass the RICS exams, the standards are very high. When actually doing the final ‘hands-on’ part I won the RICS/ATG award for professional practice. That should tell you enough”

 

Q: Are you one of the best auctioneers?

 

A: ”No, I truly believe I am the best, but strangely enough I know a couple of others that think they are too! The best auctioneers are the ones that will try for every last bid, work an audience and do their best for their client, irrespective of the value of the goods. Seeing so many different auctioneers now on the television, there is a clear distinction between an ‘Auctioneer’ and a ‘Bid Counter’. There is some rubbish out there. The ISVA Young Auctioneer Competition was very important to me, being runner-up three times was hard to swallow, but at least I did win it selling Hyde Park for £8.6million, again the standards were very high every year. Perhaps it is because I take the professional part of the job very seriously, that I have so much fun with what I sell and to whom I sell it!”

 

Q: What do you like most about your job?

 

A: “If I was on the rostrum 5 days a week it would be a perfect world.”

 

Q: What do you like least about your job?

 

A: “Well here we go…”

 

People saying “I won a lot!”

No you did not, that is dog food and this is not a lottery! You did not WIN anything you are a successful purchaser and you will have to pay!

 

People standing at the back saying “I cannot hear you.”

“There are 20 free seats at the front – use one!”

 

People claiming “You missed my bid!”

“That is why we give you paddles, you didn't use it and now you are up the creek!”

 

After asking for an opinion, “Is that all!”

 

 

CAVEAT EMPTOR – MORT!

 

Auctioneering is the second oldest profession. Simple concept, the seller pays the agent a commission for selling their goods. The buyer pays the hammer price (and in Lincolnshire a buyers premium – we set the standards, others follow) and takes the goods away.

 

With that come all encumbered profits or losses. They take their medicine the same way they take their champagne.

Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware!

 

For centuries everyone knew where they stood.

 

From 1864 to 1977 my firm had only eight Conditions of Sale. Unfortunately in the last 35 years the simple system has been damaged by poorly drafted legislation from people who have no consideration or understanding of auctions. This has been compounded by interference from Europe.

 

You now have had to read over 50 terms and conditions. That is progress for you.

 

Caveat Emptor RIP - the day the auction died?

  

AUCTION LAW & PRACTICE – ALIVE!

 

Professor Brian Harvey and Frank Meisel have now published the long awaited 3rd Edition of Auction Law and Practice. My recommendation – Buy It.

 

This is the ‘Bible’ and first point of reference in any matters of dispute. In a litigious led new world, it will become the most thumbed book in the auction room overtaking Bradbury’s silver hallmarks.