Selling with Us
Trusted valuations and a transparent route to sale for fine sporting arms.
Free Valuations
We offer several convenient ways to receive an initial auction estimate:
In Person Valuations
Visit our auction room or attend one of the shows where we are exhibiting. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.
Online Valuations
Send clear photographs and item details through our online valuation form. We will respond with a rough estimate and selling advice. Any online valuation is made subject to the caveat that physical inspection of a firearm is required to confirm proof and condition. Photographs can hide an awful lot! Please ensure the photographs show all markings especially proof marks.
Home Visits
For larger collections or where getting to us is a little difficult, we are happy to try and visit your home by appointment.
Consign Your Item
For each sale that you have items entered into, a receipt will be issued to you, which lists our terms and conditions and gives us your authority to sell the items listed on your behalf. Please forward this to the relevant Police licencing team as notification that you have disposed of the firearms (s). Please note – despite the fact you may not be able to hold the firearm, you still retain title pending sale.
Ahead of the sale, you will receive a pre-sale advice letter or email with full details of your items including lot number, full catalogue description, estimate and reserve if appropriate (mutually agreed).
Transport & Collection
We have a number of agents around the country so please do call us so we may assist in minimising transport costs.
Cataloguing & Presentation
Every item is carefully prepared for sale:
- Detailed description.
- Highquality photography in our in-house studio.
- Placement in the most suitable auction category.
- Condition reports along with proof data are published in the listing for transparency.
- Our catalogues are published online across numerous auction platforms and promoted to thousands of registered bidders.
Marketing Your Items
To maximise interest, we promote your items through:
- Our website and digital catalogues
- Email campaigns to active buyers
- Social media channels
- Press features for exceptional lots
- International bidding platforms
Ensuring your items reach the widest possible audience.
Viewing Days
Before each auction, we host public viewing days where buyers can inspect items in person. We are available to answer questions and provide guidance.
Auction Day
Bidding may come from:
- Inroom bidders
- Online platforms
- Telephone bidders
- Commission (absentee) bids
The auctioneer will accept the highest bid above any agreed reserve.
After the Auction
You will be sent a statement confirming full details of the lot, the hammer price and details of the deduction of commission, insurance and relevant charges.
Payment is made to vendors by bank transfer and will be made as soon as possible. We aim for 10 days but no later than 28 working days after a sale assuming that we have received full payment from your buyer. We act as agents and are not responsible if a buyer does not pay. Non-payment is rare due to appropriate controls on auction platform services.
Vendor’s Commission
You will pay a lotting fee of £20 per firearm and vendors’ commission on the hammer price of
- 20% up to £1000
- 10% £1001 to £2999
- 6% over £3000
Insurance
1.5% of the Hammer Price (minimum fee of £1) will be charged per sold lot and 1.5% of the reserve per unsold lot.
Withdrawn Lots
A withdrawal fee of 20% of the lower estimate or reserve will be charged should you change your mind about selling the items, plus any agreed costs that have been incurred.
Unsold Lots
Unsold lots: you may be advised by telephone or email that unsold lots can be re-offered in a future auction at an agreed estimate and reduced reserve (if appropriate). If you prefer to collect your unsold items, you will need to contact us to arrange collection at your earliest convenience within seven working days before charges apply. Any lots that failed to attract any bids when offered without reserve cannot be reoffered and should be collected.
Unsold lots which you do not wish to re-offer for sale are stored free of charge for seven working days, after which a charge of £1 per item per day is incurred.
Should lots remain unsold Lonsdales can dispose of the lots for you, for which there is a £30.00 disposal charge.