- What kind of items does Alex Cooper Auctioneers sell?
- How do I bid for an item?
- What is a buyer's premium?
- What methods of payment do you accept?
- Is there a warranty for any items purchased at an auction?
- Can I pay for my purchases when I am finished bidding, or must I wait until the auction is over?
- Who will attend the auction?
- How often are your auctions conducted?
- Where are your auctions located?
- When can bidders inspect the property?
- How can I get a list of the items for auction?
- Where do your auction items come from?
- Can items be purchased prior to auction?
- How do I consign items to Alex Cooper's?
- How much does Alex Cooper's charge to sell my items?
- Will Alex Cooper's do estate and/or antique item appraisals?
- When can items be picked up?
- Does Alex Cooper's provide moving or shipping of items?
What kind of items does Alex Cooper Auctioneers sell?
Alex Cooper's conducts two types of auction sales:
Main Gallery auctions - Fine and decorative arts, including period and quality reproduction furniture, clocks, paintings, decorations, porcelain and glass, jewelry, silver, oriental rugs and collectibles.
North Gallery auctions - Generally more moderately priced items, including reproduction and decorative furniture, paintings and prints, decorations, porcelain and glass, rugs and collectibles.
How do I bid for an item?
There are several ways in which to participate in our auctions.
- Attending the sale - 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 hand or bid card when you are comfortable with the amount being requested by the auctioneer. If you are the winning bidder, hold your card 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).
- Telephone Bidding - Alex Cooper accepts telephone bidding on certain lots. Telephone bidders must be willing to begin the bidding at no less than $500.
- Internet Bidding - Alex Cooper's, in cooperation with Ebay Live and Live Auctioneers, offers internet bidding as a service to our customers on certain lots.
What is a buyer's premium?
Alex Cooper's collects a percentage of the hammer price from the buyer that we call a buyer's premium. A buyer's premium is added to the hammer 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 5% (five percent) Maryland State sales tax.
What methods of payment do you accept?
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.
Is there a warranty for any items purchased at an auction?
All items are sold AS IS, WHERE IS with no warranty, expressed or implied. All descriptions of items for sale provided orally or in writing at the time of the auction are believed to be correct. Alex Cooper's shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defect in any lot and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance, refund or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, error in cataloging, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the Buyer to have thoroughly inspected the merchandise and to have satisfied himself or herself as to its condition and value and to bid based solely upon that assessment.
Can I pay for my purchases when I am finished bidding, or must I wait until the auction is over?
We invite you to pay for your purchases as soon as you have finished bidding. Please allow approximately ten minutes from the time of your winning bid for the clerking sheet to be submitted to the cashier.
Who will attend the auction?
Our auctions are open to the public. Personal property auctions bring out people from all walks of life such as antique dealers, private collectors, and people decorating their homes.
How often are your auctions conducted?
Main Gallery auctions are scheduled every six to eight weeks. North Gallery auctions may run consecutive or several weeks after a Main Gallery auction. For a list of upcoming auction dates, please visit our web site.
Where are your auctions located?
Our gallery auctions are conducted in Towson, Maryland near the York Road exit of I-695. Our state of the art gallery features seating for 250 people, ample display cases, advanced audio/visual screenings and item presentation.
When can bidders inspect the property?
Main Gallery auction exhibitions typically run three days prior to the auction. 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 auction staff. Please watch our website or advertisements for North Gallery auction exhibition times.
How can I get a list of the items for auction?
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 just prior to the exhibition. Our website catalogue - www.alexcooper.com - provides full descriptions, thumbnail illustrations of most lots, and pre-sale estimates. In partnership with Ebay Live and Live Auctioneers, Alex Cooper's offers a preview and live online bidding before and 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.
Where do your auction items come from?
The majority of items up for auction are consigned by representatives for estates or individuals who are moving.
Can items be purchased prior to auction?
Property can only be sold at the auction. If you are unable to attend the sale, there are numerous ways to bid in absentia, including: completing an absentee bid form, phone bidding, Ebay Live bidding when applicable.
How do I consign items to Alex Cooper's?
If you are considering consigning items to Alex Cooper's, our representative would first examine your property to provide you with an idea of its fair market value and its salability at auction. There are several ways in which to obtain a free verbal valuation.- Email images and descriptions to antiques@alexcooper.com. Please include as many details as possible, such as size, markings and provenance.
- Mail photographs and descriptions to Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Inc., 908 York Road, Towson, MD 21204. Please include your address and phone number, and as much detail as possible on the item(s).
- Bring in your property for valuation. One of our representatives would be happy to meet with you in our gallery and provide a free pre-sale estimate. Please phone ahead to schedule an appointment.
- Meet an acquisitions specialist on-site. We can arrange for a specialist to make a house call. If you wish to schedule an appointment, please phone our gallery at 410-828-4838 or 800-272-3145.
How much does Alex Cooper's charge to sell my items?
Prior to consigning at Alex Cooper's, our representative will provide you with detailed consignment terms along with a formal consignment contract for your review. Standard charges included a consignor's commission, advertising charge, and applicable hauling charges.
Will Alex Cooper's do estate and/or antique item appraisals?
Alex Cooper Appraisal Services offer the same high level of knowledge, experience, and expertise that makes us Maryland's foremost auctioneer. Whether for purposes of estate or sale, we are experts at valuing and appraising a far-ranging array of household estates, objects d'art, private collections, and chattels. Verbal estimates of value for pre-auction purposes are furnished without charge.
When can items be picked up?
Items can be removed immediately after making payment as long as removal does not interfere with the flow of the auction. Your purchases must be removed from our gallery within five days after the end of the auction. Alex Cooper's does charge storage for items left more than seven days after the auction. Please read each auction's terms for more detail.
Does Alex Cooper's provide moving or shipping of items?
Alex Cooper's does not move or ship items. However, we 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.