The most important things about buying at auction
Get to the preview and check everything out thoroughly. When you buy at auction, everything is sold as-is, so make sure to check everything first. Some things have defects you might not see from afar. On the other hand, you may spot some excellent items in a box lot that others, who did not preview, did not see. It is to your advantage, as a dealer or collector, to preview.
Set your limit on an item and stick to it. Much as we would like you to, don’t get carried away by the heat of the moment. Figure out what you are willing to bid and do not exceed that limit. Remember to add the buyer’s premium and the 10.25% sales tax where applicable.
Can’t make it to the auction? Leave an absentee bid. With an absentee bid you have less flexibility: you can’t go higher than your limit, and you can’t use clever bidding tactics to spook competitors. But for newcomers to the auction scene, those too busy to attend, and those who would rather not be seen at the auction, the absentee bid is the way to go.
Registering to bid in the gallery
First-time in-house bidders are asked for a $100 cash deposit or a credit card in order to bid; a check is not accepted as a deposit. The deposit is refundable if you don’t buy anything, or applies to your purchases (if you buy less than $100 and left a cash deposit, you get the remainder back). We also need a copy of your driver’s license or state ID, and ask you to read and sign a copy of the terms of sale.
Buyer’s premium, payment and tax
- A 20% buyer’s premium is added to the final bid price for items bought in person, by absentee bid, or through this website. Purchases made through third-party bidding platforms carry a 25% buyer’s premium.
- Purchases paid by credit card are subject to a 3% administrative fee, so the premium becomes 23% (or 28% on third-party platforms).
- We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, cash and cashier’s checks. Business and personal checks are accepted from established customers with a history of good payments.
- Illinois sales tax (10.25%) is charged on items picked up from the gallery unless you present a current, valid dealer’s resale number. We keep your resale number on file; please bring a new copy when it expires.
- Any shipping fees are paid by the buyer.
Picking up your items
Items may be picked up as soon as each item has been sold and the bill for those items has been paid, or up to one week after the auction. An additional 5% late/storage fee is charged on items not picked up and paid for after seven days.
Getting here
We are at 7232 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60645, one-half block north of Touhy Avenue and just south of Evanston. Western Avenue runs north and south at 2400 West in Chicago.
In the gallery
There is no smoking in the building, by order of the Chicago Fire Department. Soda is available during the auction, and we serve free Viccino’s stuffed pizza at lunchtime in case you get hungry. We hope you have a great time at the auction and go home with some very nice things.