How to Buy

Interested buyers are informed of the auction sale through the printed catalogues or the web site.  Every reasonable effort is made to provide sufficient and accurate descriptions for each lot on sale.  All interested buyers are advised to and visually inspect the art work offered by visiting the auction exhibit.  In the event a prospective buyer is not able to visit the exhibit, a condition report on any lot of interest is available upon request.

The pre-sale price estimates noted in the catalogue are intended as a guide for prospective buyers.  Any bid within this range would, in the auctioneer’s opinion, offer a chance for success.  However, lots can realize prices above or below the pre-sales estimates.  All lots have a reserve price which is agreed to between the auctioneer and the seller.  Unless otherwise noted, this reserve price is always lower than or equal to the lower price estimate noted in the catalogue.  

Making a purchase at AlphaZmart Auctions is simple. The general steps are:

1) Registering to bid

2) Bidding

3) Paying

4) Picking up or shipping your property.

Bidding in Person

To bid in person, you will need to register for and collect a numbered paddle before the auction begins. If you are a first-time bidder, you will also be asked for your address, telephone number, and signature in order to create your account. In addition, you may be asked to provide a bank reference. If you are bidding on behalf of a third party, you will need to provide a letter from that person authorizing you to bid on his/her behalf.

To place your bid, simply raise your paddle until the auctioneer acknowledges you. You will know when your bid has been acknowledged; the auctioneer will not mistake a random gesture for a bid. The bidding increments are decided by the auctioneer, and will usually not exceed ten percent of the previous bid. The auctioneer will take increasing bids on each lot, until only one bidder remains. The final bidder purchases the lot. Each lot will have a reserve, which is the confidential minimum selling price previously agreed with the seller. If the bidding fails to reach this price, the lot will remain unsold.

Absentee Bids (also known as Written Bids)

If you are unable to attend the auction in person, we will be happy to execute written bids on your behalf. This service is free and confidential.

AlphaZmart Auctions publishes an absentee bid form at the back of each catalogue and can also be downloaded from our web site.  You may use this form indicate the item upon which you wish to bid and the maximum bid amount you are willing to make. If you do not have an account with us already, your absentee bid form will contain the information required for registration, and we will contact you to confirm your identity.

Completed absentee bid forms should be returned to AlphaZmart Auctions by fax (+ 357 22751326), or in person with any client service staff member at least 3 hours before the star of the auction.

When we execute an absentee bid on your behalf, the lot will always be bought for the lowest increment that exceeds all competing bids and which meets or exceeds the reserve price. In the event of identical bids, the earliest received will take precedence.

You may also use the Written Bid form to indicate more than one item on which you would like to bid, depending upon whether your earlier bid is successful (an "or" bid). We are not able to execute "Buy" or unlimited bids.

Written and telephone bids are offered as an additional service for no extra charge, and at the buyer's risk. AlphaZmart Auctions cannot accept liability for failure to place such bids.

Successful absentee bidders will be informed accordingly after the auction.

Telephone Bids

For most auctions, you may also use the absentee bid form to register for telephone bidding.  Based on the information you provide on the form, an AlphaZmart Auctions  representative will contact you from the saleroom prior to your specified lot(s) and will relay your bids to the auctioneer.  As the number of telephone lines is limited, it is necessary to make arrangements for this service 24 hours before the sale. 

Telephone bids are accepted at the sole discretion of AlphaZmart Auctions and at the prospective buyer's risk.  

Buyer's Premium & VAT

Please note that AlphaZmart Auctions places a Buyer’s Premium on item sold.  Local VAT taxes will be payable on the Buyer’s Premium only (unless otherwise noted). Kindly consult with AlphaZmart Auctions for more information.

In certain cases AlphaZmart Auctions is required to collect a resale royalty due to living artists each time their work of art is sold. Any lots falling under this requirement will be clearly marked so for the potential buyer to have knowledge of this prior to the sale.  A purchaser of a lot to which the resale royalty applies will be charged an amount equal to the applicable royalty.

Payment

You may pay with cash, check, money order or wire transfer.  You may pay for your purchase from the following day at our offices, or we can arrange for the invoice to be mailed to you following the sale.  Payments must come from the invoiced party only - we reserve the right to decline payments received from anyone other than the invoiced party.

Pickup and Delivery

Upon payment, you may pick up your purchases at the auction location or arrange to have them shipped.  All purchases should be picked up or shipped within fifteen days after the auction.  If you are interested in shipping, please contact us for assistance with your shipping and insurance arrangements.

Conditions of Business

All prospective buyers are reminded that they are bound by AlphaZmart Auctions' conditions of business, details of which may be found at the back of all our auction catalogues.

You may visit or contact AlphaZmart Auctions for further information:

AlphaZmart Auctions

Kreontos 12, Office 101

1077 Nicosia

Cyprus

Tel: + 357 22751325

e-mail: info@alphazmart.com