Hi guys

There's an auction near me on Tuesday that I'm quite interested in going to.  I've never been before and don't know the in's and outs of them.  Do you usually have to put a fair amount down before bidding and then get it back if you don't spend anything?  They say that £200 is taken before bidding and then refunded if not used.

As I say I've never ever been to one so wondering if this is normal???

Never heard about putting money down before bidding.  You have to register beforehand and they give you a number.  What sort of auction is it?  Don't forget to find out how much they charge on top of your bid (buyers premium) so you can calculate what price you want to go up to.  It is a good idea to view first - get a catalogue to see what the expected price is.  Go home do some research (if it is antiques) and then work out what you are prepared to go up to (remembering the total price of course) and then try to stick to it - most folks get carried away with just one more bid and pay more then they mean too!  Depends how badly you want something. 
Christine

Dog collars, leads, jackets etc. from a company that won best top company in 2006 in America but has gone into liquidation here in the UK.

£200 is a lot of money to put down first to buy some collars and leads

There's computers etc. too and it's a rather large lot with the dog things.  As mum and I do a lot for the SWD Club we would be willing to buy items and sell them like we usually do towards the Clubs funds.

Not heard of that before.  All the auctions I've been to, I've just registered and been given a number card. 

The only auctions that I have known to do that have been scams......I've also just registered, been given a card and that's it.  You pay - if your bid is accepted - at the end - plus commission and VAT.

I would check with your local Trading Standards office.

Margot

Thanks for that I will get in touch with them on Monday

Just looked on a websearch and they definitely look to be a bonefide auctioneer's!

I could be wrong perrodeagua, I've just not heard of it before - the way Margot says is the way they usually work.  It seems a lot of money to put down so I'd be wary - but I really don't know :-S

Very iffy if you ask me!  It is usual to check your credit status through your credit card but never heard of this and don't think I would want to do it.

Is the website that of the auctioneers or of the suppliers of the goods?

Found a few websites and one says that it's a council site and lists them as one of the auctioneers in the area.  I'm going to pop to our local police station etc. tomorrow and see if anyone knows anything about them.

Doubt the local old bill will know anything about them. 

Probably better checking with trading standards or alternatively contact one of the big auction houses (christies or bonhams ect) and ask them if this is normal practise.

Jill

Tomorrow, do a 'companies house'  internet check on the liquidated company, if you have the name. See if they ever really existed in this country. If they have, it will tell you, and the state of affairs with them now. Try the auction house too. How do they want you to pay the £200, is it only cash? I would be cautious of this, at least with cards they can be traced, but then there are numerous scams with cards too. I'v been to lots of auctions, buying and selling, and never been asked for this downpayment. I'v never been to a huge liquidated stock one though, maybe their terms are different.

It's by card or cash they won't accept cheques.  Just been to the MOT place across the road where I have my car done and they said that it has been there for a number of years.  Trading Standards didn't know of them but did find them on a couple of sites such as Yell.com, really surprised how quickly they got back to  me.

I also e-mailed the company this morning and they sent me an e-mail straight away and said that they'd been a company for 10 years and been at the site for 7.  The mechanics seemed to agree that they have been there for around 7 years.  I suppose when you're not looking for something you don't see what's in front of your nose.  I feel a bit happier now.

calmstorm I went to company house but there are charges for this.  I put both the company name of the company that's gone into liquidation and the company that are doing the auction I suppose one good thing is that they listed both with their addresses.

Well they had a huge advert in one of the dog papers for this -I'd imagine if it was a scam they'd be in deep trouble after all that advertising. Can't see scammers taking out such large ads in the dog papers.

Thanks for that Goldmali, with all that I've found out today I think that they are an auction house, well my mechanic says that they've been there for years :d  So off tomorrow and see what's what and may get a laptop into the bargain too!

If Trading Standards know nothing about them - and they are in your area - well that has to be a good sign!   If there had been complaints about the company, then Trading Standards would know all about it!

Good luck - hope you get some bargains!

Margot

my brother regularly uses auction houses in london and he puts down anything from 50.00 to 150 but then he buys stuff there and it just comes off the bill
auction houses use it to make sure they have bidders in the room and not just lookers that could be wasting their time,
carolann

Go onto http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/ then onto 'find company information' then click 'webcheck' put the company name in, and you will get a list of comps with that name and similar. Find the one you want, it will tell you if they are current or disolved. then click on the name and it gives you their addy, when tax returns were filed etc. All for free. :)

My friends an accountant so checked them out for me and all was fine.  Let's just say that mine and my mums bank balances aren't now :d  Does anybody want a lead or collar or more :d :d

Do you know the owner of this company put a couple of really nice messages on another site that I go on to allay my fears.  He told everyone about how the company name was made up with Robson being a family dog from a number of years ago, he being a City football fan but his brother a united one and all about his latest dog too. 

I asked if he's single and if he would like any dog collars and leads for his dog but he hasn't replied as yet :d :d