Terms and Conditions
Tong’s Auction House – Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions
Auction House / Auctioneer – Tong’s Auction House
Seller / Vendor – Person or business entering goods for sale
Buyer / Bidder – Person bidding on or purchasing goods
Lot – Any item entered into the auction
SELLER TERMS
2. Seller Authority
The Seller confirms they are the legal owner of the goods or have full authority to sell them.
The Seller confirms goods are free from finance, charge, or third-party claims.
Tong’s Auction House reserves the right to refuse any goods.
3. Seller Commission & Charges
Seller commission is charged as follows:
Minimum commission: £2 per lot (for items selling up to £10)
Items selling over £10: 20% commission
Commission and any agreed charges will be deducted from sale proceeds.
Additional charges may apply where agreed, including:
Storage
Specialist handling
Marketing or photography (if applicable)
4. Seller Warranties
The Seller guarantees:
Items are genuine unless clearly stated
Any faults, damage, or restoration are disclosed
Electrical goods are sold as untested unless stated
5. Risk & Insurance
Risk passes to Tong’s Auction House once goods are accepted onto premises.
The Auction House is not liable for:
Fair wear and tear
Inherent defects
Events outside reasonable control
6. Unsold Lots
Unsold items must be collected within 3 days of notification.
After this time:
Storage charges may apply
Items may be re-entered, resold, or disposed of
7. Seller Payment
Seller payment will be made 3 weeks (21 days) after the sale date, provided cleared funds have been received from the Buyer.
Tong’s Auction House reserves the right to withhold payment if:
Buyer payment has not cleared
Ownership or authenticity is disputed
8. Withdrawal of Lots
If goods are withdrawn after entry:
Fees may apply
Commission may still be payable
BUYER / BIDDER TERMS
9. Registration
All bidders must register before bidding.
Tong’s Auction House reserves the right to:
Request ID
Refuse registration
10. Bidding
By placing a bid, you enter a legally binding contract to purchase if successful.
The Auctioneer has final discretion in:
Bidding disputes
Bid increments
Lot withdrawal
11. Buyer Commission
Buyer commission is charged as follows:
Minimum commission: £2 per lot (for items selling up to £10)
Items selling over £10: 20% commission
Buyer commission is added to the hammer price.
12. Payment
Full payment must be made within 24 hours of auction close.
Accepted payment methods:
Bank transfer
Card payment
Cash (by prior agreement only)
Goods will not be released until funds are cleared.
13. Collection
All items must be collected within 3 days of auction close.
After this time:
Storage fees may apply
Items may be resold to recover costs
14. Shipping & Courier Services
Tong’s Auction House offers in-house shipping and courier services.
Please note:
Shipping is arranged at the Buyer’s request
Costs will be quoted before dispatch
Shipping is at the Buyer’s risk once dispatched
Tong’s Auction House is not liable for courier delays or damage once items leave the premises
15. Condition of Lots
All lots are sold as seen.
Condition reports are guidance only.
Buyers are responsible for satisfying themselves before bidding.
16. Title & Risk
Ownership transfers only once full payment is received.
Risk transfers to the Buyer on collection or dispatch.
GENERAL TERMS
17. Catalogue & Descriptions
Descriptions are opinion only and not guarantees.
18. Online Bidding
Tong’s Auction House is not responsible for:
Platform outages
Internet failures
Missed bids due to technical issues
19. Data Protection
Personal data will be handled in accordance with UK data protection law.
20. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
21. Acceptance
By bidding or selling, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.
22. Late Payment Penalties
If payment is not received within 24 hours of auction close, Tong’s Auction House reserves the right to:
Cancel the sale
Re-offer or resell the lot
Charge storage fees
Retain any deposit paid
Refuse future bidding registration
Tong’s Auction House also reserves the right to recover any losses, fees, or costs incurred due to late or non-payment.
23. Non-Collection of Lots
All items must be collected within 3 days of auction close, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
If items are not collected within this timeframe:
Storage charges may be applied
Items may be moved to off-site storage at the Buyer’s cost
Items may be resold to recover outstanding balances, storage, and handling costs
Any remaining balance after costs may be returned to the Buyer. If costs exceed sale value, the Buyer remains liable for the balance.
Protecting Auctioneers
To ensure the protection of all parties we work with from any form of illegal, unfair, or inappropriate behaviour, we take practical measures. This involves keeping track of account activities, including user contact information, device usage, website activity, bidding history, purchase records, and payment history. This information is shared with other relevant partners, such as auctioneers, to assist parties in managing their commercial risks in the context of our joint services.
In the event that behaviour is deemed inappropriate or presents a threat, we reserve the right to temporarily halt automatic approvals. In such cases, you will need to directly communicate with the auctioneer in order to participate in their auction.
White Label Platforms
When we offer technological services to an auctioneer, you become a direct customer of the auctioneer and they assume the role of data controller. The auctioneer is accountable for the handling of your data. Any enquiries or concerns regarding your data should be directed to the auctioneer.
