McKenszie's Auctioneers & Appraisers

FAQ

Is there an admission fee?
There is no charge to attend an auction; the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Can I see the items before the auction?
Yes, and we recommend that you view any and all items before buying them. They are on display at Westside Antiques Mall. Viewing is also available until 9pm on the Thursday evening before the auction on a Sunday afternoon.

How do I know what is in the upcoming auction?
Two weeks before the auction all items will be tagged to their proper lot numbers that correspond to the lot number in the auction catalog. You can visit Westside Antiques Mall at any time during their normal business hours to find these items. Otherwise, you can purchase either a “Thumbnail Descriptions”© or a fully illustrated catalogue at our Westside Antiques Mall location.

How do I get a catalogue, and when are they available?
McKENZIE’S offers a fully illustrated black and white catalog for $5.00 in advance of the sale and available at the Westside Antiques Mall. [A Color copy can be purchased for $10.00.] A thumbnail photo and description page is available at the Westside Antiques Mall for $1.00. If you are unable to attend the auction, you may call to request that a B&W catalog be sent to you for $10.00 (postage and handling included

What kind of ID do I need to register?
Bidders need to register in advance, provide Credit Card, a driver’s license, passport or the equivalent form of identification.

How do I bid?
Bidding at auction is very straightforward. The auction will follow the chronological order listed in the catalogue. Once the lot you are interested in comes up, all you have to do is raise your paddle and wait for the auctioneer to acknowledge you. You do not have to call out the amount of your bid…higher bids are automatically set by the auctioneer, at her discretion, but generally according to the following increments:

$0 – 500 valued items, $25 increments
$500 to 1000, $50 bidding increments
$1000 to 2,000, $100 increments
$2000 to 5,000… $200 increments, $5,000 to 10,000… $500 increments, value $10,000 to $20,000… $1,000 increments.
(Over $20,000 Auctioneer’s discretion)

Bidding is done with the paddle, so you don’t have to worry that you cannot wave to someone or touch your face. If no one tops your bid (including all absentee bids), and the reserve has been met, the auctioneer brings the hammer down to close the sale of that lot. As soon as you have finished bidding, you may return to the registration table with your paddle to receive an invoice and make arrangements for payment. We prefer that you wait until you have finished all your bidding and are ready for pick up before requesting invoicing and payment. Items will be ready for pick-up after invoicing and payment (with the exception of larger pieces). Final purchase prices include the customary buyer’s premium.

What is a “Reserve”?
The “reserve” is the minimum price agreed to by the consignor and McKENZIE’S, below which the property will not be sold. If the item fails to reach the minimum, the item will be “bought in” or sold to the reserve, and returned to the owner. To protect the consignor’s interests, the reserve is kept confidential.

How do I make an Absentee bid, does it cost anything?
For those who cannot attend an auction, an “Absentee Bid Form” is included in the back of each catalogue. Additional forms are available on request at our Westside Antiques Mall location. Fill in your name and address, lot numbers you wish to bid on along with the maximum bid for each lot. Fax, Send or e-mail your information to us at least 8 hours before the sale (day before a sale). Absentee bids can be dropped off up to two hours before the sale (12pm).

If I place an absentee bid, is that the amount I have to pay?
The absentee bid only indicates the upper limit of what you are willing to pay. If someone does not outbid you at the auction, or another absentee bidder, the chances are that you may purchase the lot for less than your top amount. The auctioneer will try to purchase the lot for you at the lowest price considering competing bids and the reserve. The amount which the auctioneer starts the bidding is determined by other absentee bids, the pre-sale estimate and the client’s reserve. McKENZIE’S has an obligation to deal fairly and honestly with all clients, buyers and consignors.

Do you take credit cards? How else can I pay?
Visa and MasterCard, Debit Card, and personal checks with pre-registration. If your checks are pre-approved you can take possession of your items immediately after the sale.

What are the “Conditions of Sale”?
This is the contract between the Consignor, McKENZIE’S and the buyer about any lot found in the sale. These are the terms under which the consignor and McKENZIE’S agrees to sell the lot to a customer and is found in the back of each auction catalogue. It is your responsibility to read this information carefully before making a bid.

What is a “Buyer’s Premium”?
This is a commission that McKENZIE’S adds to every lot purchased at our auctions. It is paid by the buyer. Buyer’s premium on items selling for more than $75 is 10%. The industry standard is 10% to 20%.

Do I have to pay taxes?
If you pick up your purchase at the Westside Antiques Location, you will need to pay the 5.5% sales tax. Unless you have a resale number. Your state re-sale number must be on file with us.

When can I pick up my purchase?
When full payment is received. All purchases should be picked up within three business days. A $10 per lot per day storage fee will apply to purchases picked up on the fourth business day. For shipping info call
(608) 467-6466.