FAQ for Buyers
How to find out about Fellows & Sons sales.
Our complete sale diary is available online. If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming auctions and events, please take the time to register for our auction alerts.
Should you require a current or back issue of any catalogue please contact info@fellows.co.uk or alternatively telephone
Are your auction sales open to the public?
Our auctions are open to both trade and the general public.
How can I find more information on the lot I am interested in?
Pre auction viewings are an excellent way to see and handle the lot you are interested in, viewings usually begin two days prior to the sale, Selected lots are available to view between extended opening hours with our specialist staff on hand to answer any of your queries.
What if I am not able to attend a pre auction viewing?
A condition report can be provided on the lot you are interested in if you are unable to attend pre auction viewings. Many of our lots already have condition reports available on the web site. Any requests for condition reports must be sent to us by 4pm the day before the sale, you can request condition reports on line or by telephoning
Fellows strongly advises all potential purchasers to request a Condition Report before placing a bid. Statements in the catalogue regarding the condition of lots in this sale may appear in the description, however, the absence of such a reference does not imply that a lot is in a perfect or near perfect condition, or completely free from wear or imperfection so a full Condition Report is very useful to potential buyers when deciding what to bid.
How can I place a bid?
After viewing or requesting a condition report, and deciding you would like to bid on an item, you first need to register with us. This will only take two minutes and can be done online. To register in person you will be asked to provide your name, full address and proof of identification, either a driving license or passport. We can also take bids over the telephone.
Why do I have to register before I can attend one of your auctions?
Registration is required for VAT purposes and is a legal requirement for Health and Safety purposes. Our administration team also need certain details for invoicing purposes.
How do I follow the bidding on the lots in the auction?
The bidding process is regulated by the auctioneer and each bid normally increases by anything from £10 to £100s depending starting price. The selling price is determined by the reserve and any other bids that the auctioneer may have from other potential buyers either in the auction room, a written bid, on the telephone, or bidding live via the internet. A bid maybe made at any stage if you are in the auction room by attracting the attention of the auctioneer with a hand or head signal. The auctioneer's decision is final and is a legally binding contract. A bidder attending the auction on the day takes precedence over any other bidder if their bids are of equal value.
What if I can not attend the auction?
There are several ways to bid for an item at auction if you are unable to attend the sale. We can arrange for you to bid by telephone for lots with lower estimate in excess of £100. You are requested to arrange this with Wendy Butler by 4pm the day before the sale. This is a discretionary service and lines are not guaranteed. All telephone bids are recorded during the sale.
You can also leave a commission bid requesting Fellows & Sons bid on your behalf up to the maximum amount you have assigned to each lot. Commission bids can be placed online by registering on the web site. Commission bidding forms are available to pick up at pre auction viewings and are printed at the back of our catalogues.
Fellows & Sons also offer live bidding through Invaluable Live. Visit: www.invaluable.com/fellows
What are the conditions of Buying?
Fellows & Sons recommend that all bidders and buyers read our conditions of buying and buyers premium available online or at the back of our catalogues.
The buyer shall pay:
On the excess over £50,000 of the hammer price (of any individual lot), the buyer will pay the hammer price and a premium of 10% (plus VAT) or 11.50% (inclusive of VAT).
Items marked with * contain VAT at 15% on the hammer price.
The seller authorises Fellows to retain beneficially the premium payable by buyers.
When do I pay VAT?
Most goods at auction do not carry VAT - either coming from non-registered VAT sources or being sold under the Margin Scheme rules. At Fellows & Sons any item with VAT on top of the hammer price is marked with an asterisk. VAT is payable on all charges such as Buyer's Premium, Vendors' Commission, Insurance, Photography etc.
I am not a UK resident - do I have to pay VAT?
Certain items within our sales are subject to VAT. Those items which have VAT on the hammer price are marked in our catalogues with a star. Under certain circumstances it is possible for the VAT applied to the hammer price to be removed for export purposes, subject to documentary evidence. However, VAT, which is applied to the Buyer's Premium, cannot be removed and must be paid in all circumstances. For any further queries on VAT issues, please contact Sandra Ford on
After the sale, how do I find out if my bid has been successful?
To find out if you have been successful please contact Fellows & Sons on
How can I pay for my item?
We accept VISA, MasterCard, Switch, Solo, Delta, cheques and cash.
Unfortunately, we do not currently accept Paypal or any other similar online payment system.
In order to avoid delay in clearing purchases, buyers unknown to Fellows & Sons are advised to make arrangements for payment prior to the sale. If prior arrangements are not made, cheques will be cleared before purchases are made available for collection. Please see our full terms and conditions for further details
Please note that we only accept payments in Pounds Sterling, payments in any other currency will be returned to you, and you must not send cash through the post. There will be a surcharge of 1.5% when paying using a credit card but there is no charge for using Switch. If paying by cheque please allow 5 working days for your cheque to clear through the Banking system. Secure payment facilities are available on our web site. For further details please contact Wendy Butler on
Is it possible to have my item posted to me?
Buyers who wish to have items posted will incur a charge to include postage, packing and insurance, we are happy to quote for this service.
Due to the size and vulnerability of the items in our Antique and Later Furniture sales, we are unable to post out these items in house. We do, however recommend a selection of Packaging and Shipping Companies.
For local deliveries we suggest: - "You Need Us"
07768077631
u-need-us@blueyonder.co.uk
You Need Us specialize in the safe handling of larger pieces of furniture, such as dining room suites, pianos, bedroom suites etc.
For national and international deliveries, we suggest: "Mailbox etc"
Nigel@mbebirmingham.com
Alban Shipping
nfo@albanshipping.co.uk
www.albanshipping.co.uk
Please note: Items purchased will not be dispatched without payment received.
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
Fellows & Sons pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and our strength lies in the relationships we have built over the years with buyers and vendors. If for any reason you are unhappy about any part of our service and wish to make a complaint please email: stephen.whittaker@fellows.co.uk and we will do our utmost to resolve any issues.
Important Information for Prospective Buyers of Diamonds and other Gemstones
Note 1 – Coloured Gemstones
Historically, many coloured gemstones have been subjected to a variety of treatments designed to enhance their appearance. Certain enhancement methods, such as heating, are routinely used to improve colour or transparency in rubies and sapphires. Other methods, such as oiling, enhance the clarity of emeralds. The international jewellery trade has generally accepted these methods. Other coloured gemstones may have undergone other permanent or semi-permanent treatments such as dyeing, irradiation, coating and impregnation, possibly requiring further re-treatment in order to retain their appearance. Prospective purchasers should assume that all gemstones will have been treated unless statements are made to the contrary. Gemmological reports from internationally recognised Gemmological Laboratories will be noted in the item description where available.
Note 2 – Diamonds
Recent advancements in technology have led to some diamonds being treated in a variety of ways designed to enhance their appearance. These treatments can include fracture filling, laser drilling, irradiation and coating, and whilst all efforts are made to identify such treatments, it is not possible for Fellows to guarantee that all lost containing diamonds are free of these enhancements. Fellows do not knowingly offer treated diamonds for sale, unless of a gemmological report disclosing the type of treatment has been obtained from an internationally recognised Gemmological Laboratory, and stated within the item description. Diamond grades for colour and clarity (see tables below) where printed are intended as guides for prospective purchasers, with the given limitations of mounts and settings, and are not guaranteed by Fellows.
Diamond Grading Terms - Diamond Colour and Clarity
| GIA | Old World Terms | Explanation |
| D | Finest White ( Jager) | Colourless |
| E | Finest White (River) | Colourless |
| F | Fine White (River) | Colourless |
| G | Fine White (Top Wesselton) | Near colourless:diamonds face up colourless. The slight traces of colour will not be apparent in the mounted stones to other than the trained eye. |
| H | White (Top Wesselton) | Near colourless:diamonds face up colourless. The slight traces of colour will not be apparent in the mounted stones to other than the trained eye. |
| I | White (Top Wesselton) | Near colourless:diamonds face up colourless. The slight traces of colour will not be apparent in the mounted stones to other than the trained eye. |
| J | Top Silver (Top Wesselton) | Near colourless:diamonds face up colourless. The slight traces of colour will not be apparent in the mounted stones to other than the trained eye. |
| K | Silver Cape (Top Cape) | Traces of colour. Small stones in this range will 'face up' colourless when mounted but larger stones will be tinted. |
| L | Silver Cape (Top Cape) | Traces of colour. Small stones in this range will 'face up' colourless when mounted but larger stones will be tinted. |
| M | Light Cape | Traces of colour. Small stones in this range will 'face up' colourless when mounted but larger stones will be tinted. |
| N-Z+ | Light Cape - Fancy Yellow | Diamonds graded N through Z+ display a yellowish tint even to the untrained eye. |
| IF | Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible with a 10x lens even to an experienced grader |
| VVS1& VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included | Minute inclusions, which are difficult, even for experienced graders, to see with a 10x lens |
| VS1 & VS2 | Very Slightly Included | Minor inclusions, observable with effort with a 10x lens |
| SI1 & SI2 | Slightly Included | Noticeable inclusions visible with a 10x lens |
| I1, I2 & I3 | Pique 1, 2 & 3 | Obvious inclusions, may be visible to the unaided eye. In I3/P3, they may affect the stone's durability |