Terms & Conditions
Registration: You need a number to bid and you must present proof of identity in order to receive a bidding number. Absentee bidders are registered automatically on receipt of the absentee bid form. We reserve the right to refuse registration and/or bids.
Condition of lots: Our description of each lot is as thorough as space permits, and the extent of any damage or repairs should be confirmed by personal examination. The final decision to bid, and the amount to bid is at your own discretion and liability. All lots are as-is.
Clock weights have been removed to reduce the possibility of damage, and are stored along the back wall. See the weight master when checking out.
Buyer's Premium: 12.5%, stated simply. There is NO sales tax.
Payment should be made and the item(s) removed on sale day. If possible, we ask that you wait until the end of the day's session.
Auctioneer:
R.O. SCHMITT
P. O. BOX 162
WINDHAM, NH 03087
Phone 603-432-2237
FAX 603-432-2271
Email: bob@roschmittfinearts.com
NH Lic #2470, Life Member NAWCC
A NOTE ON RESTORATION
About 80% of the clocks that pass through our hands are 100 to 150 years old. The other 20% are both younger and older. Not all antiques have received the same care over this time and some of the clocks require work, or have had to be refinished, re-dialed, tablets replaced, or cabinets reglued. Since this work has been done prior to our receiving the item(s), we've had no control over the quality of the workmanship. However, we will always try our best to indicate the level of restoration and any replaced hardware. Restored clocks are still collectible and depending on their rarity, may offer you a chance to acquire a rare item at a reduced price. Our price estimates reflect the condition as explained for each lot.
General Guidelines
> LIVE BIDDING: Although there is NO substitute for attending the auction and bidding yourself, you may register and bid Live through artfact.com using your internet connection. Broadband or DSL is a must for this. There is a 3% Artfact Live! transaction fee. On Saturday lots, you may also sign up to bid via telephone, and you need to phone and make your lot reservation in advance.
> LEFT BIDS WITH US: We receive advance bids on many of our lots from distant customers. In all cases, a left or absentee bid will be executed as cheaply as possible. A bid form is in the rear of the catalog, or you may simply E-mail your bid to: bob@roschmittfinearts.com
> AGENT BIDDING: Should you need such assistance, consider contacting John Fletcher, via email at fletch109.geo@yahoo.com, or phone at 802-849-6016 in Vermont. John has been providing this service for over a decade and has many satisfied customers. There is a fee.
> PAYMENT FOR ABSENTEE BIDS: We will normally notify successful bidders within 7 days. It has proven difficult to Fax all winners reliably, so we will MAIL invoices. Personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank are acceptable. Note that shipping charges are extra and will be billed at the time of shipment. Payment is due on receipt of invoice, and no later than 30 days from the date of the auction.
> OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS may remit via AirPost with money orders, or large amounts may be wired directly to Bank of America, 100 West 33 Street, New York, NY, 10001, Swift code BOFAUS3N, for credit to R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts, BofA, No. Broadway Branch, Salem, New Hampshire, 03079. We will provide account # on request.
> SHIPPING: We use two local companies that provides service to all worldwide addresses: Parcel Place in Hampton, NH, phone number 1-603-964-8555, email hagstoz@aol.com And store4686@theupsstore.com [Alex Williams] or phone him at 603-434-9899 .
> PICK UP IN LIEU OF SHIPPING: If you or your agent/friend would prefer to drive to Windham to pick up purchases, an appointment can be arranged. You should still plan to settle your account within 10 days of invoicing.
> SALES TAX: There is NO sales tax in New Hampshire.
> RESERVES: There are few items in this sale with a reserve, or confidential minimum selling price established with the seller/vendor. Items failing to sell will be noted in the results sheet as $00. Both major collections are selling without reserve.
> ESTIMATES: After each description, we've indicated a high and low dollar estimate that should be used as a general guide in making bidding decisions. Final price often vary considerably.
> CONDITION SCALE, in order: Poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, & outstanding. If the lot description includes the words "as-found", the item came to us from storage and, although we may have noted external shortcomings, we have not looked inside. General maintenance items such as broken suspension springs, broken or missing weight cords, & missing keys are not mentioned. Although most clocks were running when we took possession of them, we cannot guarantee that they will run without adjustment when you get them home. Dimensions are approximate. In the rare case where there has been hidden and undisclosed damage or restoration that materially affects the value of the item, we must be notified within 7 days of your receipt of the merchandise. We are as fair as possible in straightening out oversights. Transit damage alone is not sufficient reason to return an item. We will assist in claims against transport companies.
> AGE & PROVENANCE: We do occasionally offer modern reproductions of earlier models, but they are clearly indicated {Howard reissues, for example}. Restoration to older models is clarified: "new paper dial" or "new tablet" should prove self-explanatory.
> KEYS: Some clocks may have keys, but we do NOT provide them for all clocks; they are available from suppliers such as Timesavers.com.
> NUMBER LABELS on each clock are quite sticky; apply mild heat to make removal easier; pull SLOWLY. Hand cleaner, "goop" or "goo-gone" will loosen any residue.
> DEFAULT: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts will not be liable for default by either the buyer or the vendor. No purchase shall be claimed or removed until paid for in full. Schmitt's reserves the right to refuse to accept bids made by a defaulting buyer at any future auction.
> RIGHTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS: Both buyer and seller grant unrestricted use of auction fotos and prices realized to both R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts, and to Artfact.com.
> BUYER'S AGENTS: Some Absentee Buyers have in the past requested assistance and flexibility with their bidding. To some, this may be in the form of an independent set of eyes to validate the purchase they're considering. To others, it may be in the form of executing a fixed budget in pursuit of several clocks - necessitating bidding flexibility, which the mechanics of proxy bidding (Left Bids with Auctioneer) cannot handle. We notice that some absentee bids lose by only 1 bid, a frustration that can be reduced if a live person has authority to bid "one more time" Others are looking for additional services such as careful packing, and flexible delivery options. Should you need such assistance, consider contacting John Fletcher, via email at fletch109.geo@yahoo.com, or phone at 802-849-6016 in Vermont. [new phone#]
Our description of each lot is as thorough as space permits, and the extent of any damage or repairs should be confirmed by personal examination. The final decision to bid, and the amount to bid is at your own discretion and liability. All lots are as-is.
We will have high speed internet service on auction day and will have an operator watching the Artfact monitor, and will do our best to honor bids that arrive during the 40 to 50 seconds each item is on offer to the floor. But we will not wait for the internet, since a slow auction is inconvenient and discouraging for everyone. Your screen will show whether your bid was successful, or if the item was sold to the audience. Please note that if you choose to enter a Maximum "left" bid with Artfact prior to the start of the auction, that is handled by Artfact in strictest confidence, and they will "dole" it out to us until it is used up and we will have no idea of your original bid. If you have a dial up connection, rather than high speed, we recommend that alternative.
We value the participation of internet bidders and recognize that is a great convenience for bidders in distant states and foreign lands. We hope you do not find our terms of use too restrictive.
Condition Information
Our description of each lot is as thorough as space permits, and the extent of any damage or repairs should be confirmed by personal examination. The final decision to bid, and the amount to bid is at your own discretion and liability. All lots are as-is.
CONDITION SCALE, in order: Poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, & outstanding. If the lot description includes the words "as-found", the item came to us from storage and, although we may have noted external shortcomings, we have not looked inside. General maintenance items such as broken suspension springs, broken or missing weight cords, & missing keys are not mentioned. Although most clocks were running when we took possession of them, we cannot guarantee that they will run without adjustment when you get them home. Dimensions are approximate. In the rare case where there has been hidden and undisclosed damage or restoration that materially affects the value of the item, we must be notified within 7 days of your receipt of the merchandise. We are as fair as possible in straightening out oversights. Transit damage alone is not sufficient reason to return an item. We will assist in claims against transport companies.
