Copeland Roberts Auction House: Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: 12/12/2024

Copeland Roberts Auction House ("Copeland Roberts," "we," or "us") provides auction services for numismatic items and collectibles. By registering, consigning, or bidding, you ("Bidder") agree to these Terms and Conditions.

1. Definitions

1.1 Auction House: Copeland Roberts Auction House.

1.2 Consignor: An individual or entity submitting items for sale.

1.3 Bidder: An individual or entity bidding to purchase items.

1.4 Lot: An individual item or group of items auctioned as a unit.

1.5 Hammer Price: The final bid accepted for a Lot before fees.

1.6 Buyer's Premium: An additional fee payable by the winning Bidder, typically 22% (includes GST where applicable).

1.7 Reserve Price: The minimum price acceptable for a Lot.

1.8 Live Online Auction: Auctions conducted in real-time through an automated online bidding system.

1.9 Increment Table: A schedule of bidding increments based on the current bid value.

2. Registration

2.1 All participants must register before bidding, providing accurate contact information and identification as required.

2.2 Copeland Roberts reserves the right to approve, deny, or revoke registration at its discretion.

2.3 Registration confirms acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

2.4 Bidders must be at least 18 years old

3. Bidding Process

3.1 Highest Bidder: The purchaser is the highest acknowledged Bidder. Disputes regarding the highest bidder will be resolved at the Auctioneer's sole discretion, including re-offering the Lot.

3.2 Bidding Regulation: The Auctioneer regulates bidding, advancing increments based on the following table:

3.3 Absentee and Identical Bids: The starting price will be the Reserve Price. Identical bids are prioritised by earliest submission.

3.4 Bid Retraction: Absentee Bid retraction is allowed only for valid reasons with sufficient evidence and will be issued solely at the Auctioneer's discretion.

3.5 Auctioneer Rights: The Auctioneer may refuse bids, withdraw Lots, or act on behalf of clients.

3.6 Errors: The Auctioneer is not responsible for errors in bidding, technical failures, or disruptions.

4. Buyer’s Obligations

4.1 The successful Bidder agrees to pay the Hammer Price plus:

Buyer’s Premium (22% including GST).

Minimum Buyer’s Premium of $20 per Lot.

A 2.5% surcharge for credit or debit card payments, which applies to the total invoice amount.

4.2 Payments are due within 7 days of invoice issuance.

4.3 Accepted payment methods:

Bank transfer (details provided on invoice).

Credit/debit card (surcharges apply).

PayPal (surcharges apply).

4.4 Late payments will incur a 10% monthly service charge and may result in forfeiture of Lots or resale. All costs associated with resale, including deficiencies, will be borne by the defaulting buyer.

5. Representations and Warranties

5.1 All Lots are sold "as is" without warranty unless explicitly stated.

5.2 Descriptions, images, and condition reports are provided as opinions and guides, not guarantees. Bidders must perform due diligence before bidding. A third-party grading service (PCGS, NGC, or PMG) may assign grades that differ from opinions; no returns will be accepted for differences in grading.

5.3 Items submitted to PCGS, NGC, or PMG that are deemed counterfeit may be returned within one year of the auction date. Refunds will be issued for the Hammer Price only. Authentication costs remain the buyer's responsibility.

5.4 Items refunded under 5.3 are limited to authenticity disputes only.

5.5 Refunds for counterfeit items are limited to the Hammer Price only. All associated authentication and shipping costs are the buyer's responsibility.

6. Limitations of Liability

6.1 Copeland Roberts is not liable for:

Bidding errors, technical failures, or disruptions.

Loss, theft, or damage to items unless insurance is purchased.

6.2 Insurance is available for 2% of the Lot value. Liability for uninsured Lots is waived.

7. Delivery and Collection

7.1 Lots must be paid for in full before release.

7.2 Domestic and absentee purchases will be shipped fully insured at the buyer’s expense. Refusal to pay insurance releases Copeland Roberts from liability.

8. Dispute Resolution

8.1 The Auctioneer’s decision regarding disputes is final, including the option to re-offer the disputed Lot.

8.2 Legal claims must be filed in the jurisdiction of New South Wales and governed by its laws.

9. Privacy and Data Protection

9.1 Personal information is collected solely for auction operations and will not be shared except as required by law.

9.2 Data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill auction-related activities.

10. Amendments and General Provisions

10.1 Copeland Roberts reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions. Updates will take effect upon posting or notification via email.

10.2 If any provision is deemed unenforceable, the remainder will remain in effect.

11. Final Acknowledgment

By registering, bidding, or consigning with Copeland Roberts Auction House, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.

Copeland Roberts Vendor Terms and Conditions

1. Agency

Copeland Roberts (hereafter referred to as the "Auctioneer") serves exclusively as an agent for the vendor. As such, any contract resulting from a sale is strictly between the buyer and the vendor, not Copeland Roberts. All items consigned for auction are subject to these terms and conditions upon the vendor's submission, either by signature or online acceptance.

2. Catalogue and Images

Catalogue descriptions related to condition, damage, or authenticity are provided for guidance only. The absence of such details does not guarantee the item is without defects. Vendors are responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions in the catalogue. Images are for illustrative purposes only, not to scale, and should not be relied upon as definitive representations of condition or color.

3. Auction Dates and Changes

Consigned items will be included in a suitable auction as determined by the Auctioneer. Copeland Roberts reserves the right to adjust the auction date, format, or type at its discretion. Vendors will be informed of any changes through a final vendor statement.

4. Authenticity

The vendor warrants that all consigned items are authentic unless otherwise stated. Items must not be counterfeit, forged, altered, or misrepresented in any way. Copeland Roberts reserves the right to seek expert opinions, including those of, but not limited to PCGS, NGC, PMG, and other industry dealers, to verify authenticity. The vendor is responsible for any costs related to such assessments. If authenticity issues result in a refund, the vendor will be liable for all associated expenses, including buyer’s premiums and commissions.

5. Reserves

Reserve prices for individual lots will be established at auctioneers sole discretion. Valuations will encompass the totally of the collection rather than individual items. Requests to increase a reserve price within 21 days of the auction date will require a payment of 10% of the reserve value by the vendor. The Auctioneer may revise or withdraw any catalogue descriptions and images impacted by reserve changes.

For items valued under $100, the vendor agrees that:

Items will either be sold without a reserve, or

Reserves will be set at face value or metal value, at the discretion of the Auctioneer.

6. Buyer’s Premium and Commissions

A buyer’s premium of 22% (inclusive of GST) will be added to the hammer price and paid by the buyer. Vendors will receive the hammer price, less a 10% commission, unless otherwise agreed. This 10% commission is calculated solely on the hammer price and does not include the buyer’s premium. Additional handling fees or charges may be adjusted through mutual agreement at the time of consignment.

7. Withdrawals

Once accepted, lots cannot be withdrawn within 42 days of the scheduled auction. If a vendor withdraws a lot within this period, a withdrawal fee of 15% plus GST (16.5% total) of the reserve price will apply. The Auctioneer retains a lien on the withdrawn items until the fee is fully paid. Additional charges may apply for cataloging, storage, marketing, or promotion related to the withdrawn lot(s).

The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot at its discretion at any time.

8. Unsold Items

If an item does not sell, the Auctioneer may, in agreement with the vendor:

Offer the item in a subsequent auction with a reduced reserve (minimum 10% reduction), or

Privately sell the item below the reserve price, with mutual consent.

No unsold item will be relisted without an agreed reserve reduction.

9. Insurance

Items are not automatically insured while in the Auctioneer’s possession. Vendors may opt to insure items at a flat rate of 2% of the reserve price. Insurance fees must be paid in advance of the auction. Vendors who choose not to insure items assume full responsibility for any loss or damage to unsold or returned goods.

10. Vendor Acknowledgment

By consigning items to Copeland Roberts, the vendor agrees to these terms and conditions. This agreement applies whether confirmed in writing or electronically. Vendors must ensure the accuracy of all information regarding lot authenticity, value, and reserves.

11. Amendments

Copeland Roberts reserves the right to update or modify these terms and conditions at any time. Vendors will be notified of significant changes prior to consignment.

By accepting these terms, the vendor confirms their understanding and compliance with the Copeland Roberts Vendor Terms and Conditions.