Alex Cooper's conducts two types of auctions:
- Nationally advertised Decorative and Fine Arts Auctions - Main Gallery sales conducted approximately every six weeks including furniture, clocks, paintings, decorations, porcelain and glass, jewelry, silver, oriental rugs and collectibles.
- North Gallery auctions - Held the day after or staggered in between Main Gallery sales. North gallery auctions, generally, are more moderately priced items and include reproduction and decorative furniture, paintings and prints, decorations, porcelain and glass, rugs and collectibles.
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Preview
There are several ways to preview the lots being offered for sale.
- We invite you to visit our gallery during our exhibition held prior to each auction to enable ample time to examine any items of interest and to discuss any questions with our staff members. Here at Alex Cooper's, our knowledgeable staff can guide you through the vast selection of objects we offer to help you decide on which items to bid. Printed catalogues containing descriptions and pre-sale estimates of each lot are available for purchase at the preview or may be downloaded from our website.
- Our website - www.alexcooper.com - provides full catalogue descriptions, thumbnail illustrations of most lots, and pre-sale estimates. Our website also provides direct links to our absentee bid form and Ebay Live interactive internet bidding. Since all lots are sold "as-is," it is important to request a condition report prior to placing a bid on any item.
- Ebay Live and Live Auctioneers - In partnership with Ebay Live and Live Auctioneers, Alex Cooper's offers a preview and live online bidding during our main gallery auctions. These links provide convenient access containing comprehensive descriptions, condition reports, multiple images, and most importantly a chance to bid live or absentee from anywhere in the world.
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Register
Before you can participate in any of our sales, whether live, absentee or through the internet, you must accept our Terms and Conditions. Please contact our antique auction department with any questions, to obtain additional information or appropriate forms.
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How to Bid
Once you have previewed the lots being offered, obtained a condition report for lots in which you have interest, there are several ways in which to participate in our auctions.
- Live Bidding - By registering at our reception desk the day of the sale, you will be issued an Alex Cooper paddle in order to signal your bid to the auctioneer. As the auctioneer calls bids, simply raise your bid paddle when you are comfortable with the amount being requested by the auctioneer. If you are the winning bidder, hold your paddle up high so the auction clerk can record your bidder number.
- Absentee Bidding - If you are unable to attend the sale, you can complete an absentee bid form (available in our gallery or downloadable through our website). Our intentions are to bid just as you would. The lot usually opens at one-half the low estimate and the auctioneer will implement your bid against live bids, telephone bids, internet bids, other absentee bids, and any applicable reserves, with the intention of obtaining the item at the lowest possible bid price. In the event identical absentee bids are submitted, the earliest bid submitted will take precedence, so please submit your bid forms as early as possible. Unless you are already an established Alex Cooper customer, absentee bidders must submit a 25% refundable deposit of the low estimate or left bid (whichever is higher) in order to qualify. Deposits may be in the form of cash or credit card. Absentee bids may not be implemented if submitted the day of sale.
- Telephone Bidding - Alex Cooper accepts telephone bidding on certain lots. Telephone bidders must be willing to begin the bidding at no less than $500. There is a limit to the number of telephones available, so please submit your bid forms as early as possible. Like absentee bids, telephone bids may not be implemented if submitted the day of sale. Telephone bidders complete the same form as absentee bidders and are recommended to leave a backup bid if we are unable to reach you during the auction. Unless you are already an established Alex Cooper customer, telephone bidders must submit a 25% refundable deposit of the low estimate in order to qualify. Deposits may be in the form of cash or credit card
- Internet Bidding - Alex Cooper's, in cooperation with Ebay Live and Live Auctioneers, offers internet bidding as a service to our customers, Internet bids are implemented electronically by the computers of Ebay Live Auctions and compete against live bids on our auction floor, absentee bids, telephone bids and applicable reserves. Like absentee bidding, in the event identical bids are submitted, the earliest bid submitted and live floor bidders will take precedence.
Bidding Increments
Alex Cooper Auctioneers uses the following increment multiples for all bidding, whether live, absentee, by telephone or internet. In the event an absentee bid is submitted outside of the increments, the bid will be placed at the lower increment.
Bid Range
$0 - $99
$100 - $499
$500 - $999
$1,000 - $1,999
$2,000 - $4,999
$5,000 - $9,999
$10,000 - $19,999
$20,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $99,999
Increments
$ 10
$ 25
$ 50
$ 100
$ 250
$ 500
$ 1,000
$ 2,500
$ 5,000
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Buyer's Premium and Sales Tax
Alex Cooper's does not own the property that we sell at auction; instead we host an auction as a venue to bring buyers and sellers together. When an item is sold, Alex Cooper's receives a commission, a percentage of the hammer price paid by the consignor. We also collect a percentage of the hammer price from the buyer that we call a buyer's premium. A buyer's premium is added to your successful bid price for all purchases. Please read the terms prior to each sale to determine the applicable buyer's premium. The hammer price and buyer's premium are treated as the total purchase price and, therefore, is subject to a 6% (six percent) Maryland State sales tax.
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Payment
All buyers are required to submit payment and pick up purchases within five business days after the end of the auction. Payment may be made by cash, Mastercard or Visa credit card, Paypal, wire transfer, certified check, or, with approval by Alex Cooper's accounting department, checks made payable to Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Inc. Please note that payment by personal or business check may result in property not being released until funds clear our bank.
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Removal of Purchases
Similar to our payment terms, your purchases must be removed from our gallery within five days after the end of the auction. Shipping arrangements are the responsibility of the buyer. As a service, Alex Cooper's can provide the names of local shipping agents to handle your packing and shipping needs. Alex Cooper's recommends that purchasers receive an appraisal for any items to be shipped in case of damage or loss during the process. For international bidders, certain items sold at auction, such as ivory and tortoise shell, may be subject to import restrictions. Failure to remove your items within seven days after the end of the auction will incur a fee of $5.00 per day per item. If property is not removed within thirty (30) days after the close of the auction, you will forfeit all rights to ownership of the property.
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