Conditions of Sale
Prior to bidding, please read our terms and conditions detailed below. Housatonic Trading Company requires each and every bidder, whether bidding in person, on the phone, by absentee bid, or through one of our online bidding venues, i.e. Invaluable accepts the terms and conditions of the sale.
1. The lots listed in all catalogues will be offered by Housatonic Trading Company as owner or as agent for consignor(s) subject to the following terms and conditions. BIDDING AT THIS AUCTION WHETHER IN PERSON, BY AGENT, ORDER BID, TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR OTHER MEANS CONSTITUTES YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
2. All property IS SOLD AS IS, where is and without recourse, and neither the consignor(s) nor Housatonic Trading Company makes any representation or warranties, express or implied, with respect to size, count, weight, style, authenticity, provenance, period material, manufacturer, artist, origin copyright or reproduction right or any other warranty except as specified below on any lot sold. All measurements and weights are approximate. All glassware is sold as is; we cannot check every piece for chips. Housatonic Trading Company is not responsible for damage of glass covering paintings, drawings, and other works or frames, regardless of cause. Housatonic Trading Company will not guarantee the authenticity of any signature unless so stated at the time of auction. We are not responsible for typographical errors of descriptions either in the catalog or on the internet.
3. The catalog listings are meant as a descriptive guide only. Housatonic Trading Company encourages all potential bidders to preview our items in person, we hold several days of previews before each auction. Further photographs, condition reports and in hand evaluations are available upon request. Preview days are listed on the website.
4. All sales are final. No returns. No exceptions. Housatonic Trading Company is not responsible for internet bidding errors. Housatonic Trading Company is not responsible for errors made while bidding via electronic medium.
5. Housatonic Trading Company reserves the right to withdraw, combine, or divide any lot at its sole discretion prior to the commencement of bidding.
6. All lots are sold to the highest bidder. The auctioneer has the right to not accept any bid! Bidding maybe reopened at the auctioneer's discretion. The auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any item and to re-offer the item at any other time. The auctioneer may execute bids on behalf of absentee bidders and on behalf of consignors up to a reserve price. In the event of a dispute between bidders, the auctioneer has the final discretion to determine the successful bidder or to re-offer the lot in dispute. If any dispute arises after a sale, the Housatonic Trading Company sale record shall be conclusive.
7. Absentee bids may be placed by mail, email, phone or in person. Housatonic Trading Company will execute such bids up to the maximum amount specified. Absentee bids must leave credit cards on file to bid. Housatonic Trading Company is not responsible for errors or omissions in the execution of these bids.
8. A Buyer's Premium will be added to the hammer price of each lot sold. The purchase price payable by the buyer shall be the sum of the final bid plus a buyer's premium within 5 days of the given auction.
9. Payment is due within 7 business days of a given auction. Purchases may be made over the phone, in person at our retail showroom, or online through PayPal.
10. All purchases are subject to 6.35% Connecticut sales tax. Resale tax numbers from all states are accepted, but the resale tax form must be completely filled out and received prior to time of purchase. If you pick up your item at our location and you do not have a valid resale certificate you will be subject to CT Sales Tax.
11. A small percentage of lots may have a reserve price, which is the confidential minimum price below which such lots will not be sold. Reserves are agreed upon between consignors and Housatonic Trading Company.
12. Employees of Housatonic Trading Company are not prohibited from bidding. It is possible, that through their employment, they may have access to information not available to the public.
13. No auction lot may be removed during the sale or at any time until the full purchase price has been paid. All lots must be paid and removed within 30 days after the auction at the Purchaser's expense or they are subject to a storage fee of $10.00 per lot, per day. Housatonic Trading Company will not be held responsible for loss or damage to items left on premises over 30 business days. Housatonic Trading Company reserves the right to re-auction, without reserve, items not removed or not paid for within 30 days.
14. Housatonic Trading Company reserves the right to hold goods until Purchaser's check clears our bank. Returned checks are subject to a $50.00 service charge.
15. A Finance Fee of 1% per month will be added to unpaid balances beginning 30 days after the auction.
16. International buyers should be aware that certain countries do not allow the importation of items containing materials made from endangered species. This includes, but is not limited to, coral and tortoise shell. It is the buyer's responsibility to check the relevant import and custom regulations prior to bidding. Flat rate shipping fees posted in the auction do not apply to International bidders. International shipping rates will be calculated after the auction and an updated invoice for actual shipping charges will be sent to you.
17. Housatonic Trading Company is only responsible for shipping items that have a posted flat fee shipping amount with the item. We routinely pack and ship items all across the country. If the item DOES NOT have a flat rate shipping fee posted - shipping of those items is to be arranged and paid for by successful bidders. Housatonic Trading Company will provide Purchasers with a list of recommended shippers available on our site. If for any cause a purchased lot cannot be delivered in the condition it was in at the time of sale, or should any purchased lot be stolen or lost prior to delivery/pick-up, Housatonic Trading Company shall not be liable for any amount in excess of that paid by the purchaser. We are not responsible for the acts of omissions of carriers or packers of purchased lots, whether or not recommended by us.
18. Auction items are not available for pick up until after the purchaser receives an invoice and the lot is paid for.
19. All invoices, documents, contracts and conditions are governed by the laws and judicial system of the State of Connecticut, Litchfield County.
Shipping Terms
Housatonic Trading Company is only responsible for shipping items that have a posted flat fee shipping amount with the item. We routinely pack and ship items all across the country. If the item DOES NOT have a flat rate shipping fee posted - shipping of those items is to be arranged and paid for by successful bidders. Housatonic Trading Company will provide Purchasers with a list of recommended shippers available on our site. If for any cause a purchased lot cannot be delivered in the condition it was in at the time of sale, or should any purchased lot be stolen or lost prior to delivery/pick-up, Housatonic Trading Company shall not be liable for any amount in excess of that paid by the purchaser. We are not responsible for the acts of omissions of carriers or packers of purchased lots, whether or not recommended by us