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| Information for Bidders | ||||||||||||||||||||
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CONDITION OF SINGLE STAMPS OR SETS Superb = Exceptional condition for the issue VF = "Very Fine" well centred for issue with nice perfs, and imperfs with 4 margins F = "Fine" still an attractive stamp that may be off centred, perfs may be slightly irregular or imperfs may have less than 4 margins MUH = MNH = "Mint Unhinged", never hinged with original gum without any gum disturbance MLH = "Mint Lightly Hinged" with original gum that shows slight marks from previous hinging or a small unobtrusive hinge remnant M = "Mint" with original gum, that has significant marks from 1 or more hinges, or the actual hinge remains present UN = "Unused" without gum Superb VFU = Exceptional used condition for the issue VFU = "Very Fine Used" with either a clear neat cancel or a neat corner cds, well centred for issue with nice perfs, and 4 margins on imperfs FU = "Fine Used" still an attractive stamp with a fairly neat average cancel for issue, may be somewhat off centred, perfs may be slightly irregular or imperfs may have less than 4 margins. GU = "Good Used" an average used stamp that may have a heavy or smudged cancel or minor blemishes from postal use CTO = "Cancelled To Order" note: VFU or FU stamps may in fact be CTO. In all cases for single lots the presence of any faults/imperfections will be mentioned. CONDITION OF STAMPS IN COLLECTIONS & ACCUMULATIONS - Any such lots may contain some material with faults, which is taken into account when setting the reserves & estimates on such lots - The description of condition of such lots is on the basis of what is the prevailing condition of the material, ie: "Mostly F-VF" - As is the rule with all public auctions collections, accumulations & mixed lots are not returnable. - We encourage bidders to view lots before auction, have somebody view for them or ask us for more information. - We are always happy to answer any queries about specific stamps that are in a particular lot & their condition and provide photocopies or scans of key items. - Also, we are happy for bidders to phone us during the viewing times (but not on auction day!) and ask for expanded description of any lots. One of our describers will then take out the lots and go through it with you on the phone answering any questions about contents, condition etc. CONDITION OF COVERS / CARDS ETC Postally used covers/cards can be expected to show some wear consistent with their age and travel through the mails such as light filing folds, backflap or edge faults from opening, slight reductions etc . Unless severe these will not be mentioned, and are not grounds for returns.
OTHER ABBREVIATIONS
Conditions of Auction BIDDING (1) By submitting any bids either in the room or absentee the bidder accepts these conditions of the auction. (2) The purchaser of the lot shall be the highest bidder (subject to the reserve), as determined by the Status International (henceforth referred to as "the auctioneer". When identical absentee bids are received then the first bid processed takes precedence, so please bid early. (3) The lots will be offered on the auction floor at one bidding step above the second highest absentee bid received. (4) Bids from people unable to attend the auction are treated in utmost confidence, and managed as though the bidder was in the room. The lot will be sold at one
step above the second highest bid. Example: if a lot is estimated at $200 and bids of $220 and $450 are received the lot will be sold for $230 to the bidder
that put in the $450 bid, subject to any room bidding. (5) Usual bidding steps are:
Bids not adhering to these guidelines will be automatically adjusted upwards to the next closest bidding step. (6) All lots have reserves & estimates specified eg: $300-$400. Estimates shown are our opinion of a fair market price an intending purchaser may expect to pay. The reserves are the minimum hammer price the lot will be sold for and any bids below the reserve will automatically be increased to the reserve. (7) The auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw or re-offer any lot, group several lots together, refuse any bid or to refuse admission to the viewing area or auction room to any person. (8) New clients must send references, credit card details or enclose a deposit in advance of the sale. Bids from minors are only accepted if there are adequate guarantees from parents or guardians. (9) Agents bidding on behalf of undisclosed clients do so on their own responsibility both for the payment & safe delivery of lots. PAYMENT (10) a. Room buyers: payment is due on the day of the sale. (11) A 15% buyers commission plus GST (goods & services tax) will be added to the knockdown price of each lot (ie: 16.5% in total). (12) Costs for packing, postage & insurance are added to all purchases that are sent to absentee bidders. (13) Late payment: a charge of 3% per month or part thereof is made. Refer also to clause (21). (14) Failure to pay: the auctioneer is entitled to re-sell the lot either publicly or privately and the buyer is then responsible for any deficiency. The auctioneer may also proceed against the buyer for breach of contract and/or sell any property belonging to the buyer that may be in the possession of the auctioneer. DESCRIPTIONS (15) Descriptions in the auction catalogue are made with the greatest care and to the best of the auctioneer’s ability. However they are not to be taken as statements of fact. All larger quantities are approximate. (16) The illustrations form part of the lot descriptions and lots can not be rejected for features visible in the illustrations: margins, centring, perforations etc. (17) Lots are available for viewing in advance of the auction at the premises of Status International. Any viewer who damages any item is liable for the value of the item before it was damaged. (18) Lots are sold as correctly described and genuine, unless indicated to the contrary, or sold "as is" Refer also to clause (22) (19) Lots that are proved to be not as described must be returned within 2 days of receipt in the same condition as received. If items are altered in any way then the buyer has no return rights unless the auctioneer has agreed to in writing to such alteration (immersion in water or chemicals, removal of hinges/remainders, addition or removal of marks of any kind). (20) No lot can be rejected if the buyer, or his agent, had inspected the lot before the auction. (21) Buyers who are late with payment may forfeit any return privileges (even if lot is not as described), as the vendor may have been already paid. (22) Lots stated to contain a collection of more than ten stamps and/or undescribed items are sold "as is" and must be taken with all faults and errors (if any) and by reason of the foregoing the Buyer of any such lot shall have no right of rejection. Similarly single lots described "as is" are not returnable for any reason. (23) Items described as having defects/faults/imperfections are not returnable on account of their condition. (24) Postally used covers/cards can be expected to show some wear (ie: light filing folds, small backflap or edge faults etc). Also, blocks or sheets of stamps can be expected to have some perf separations. Unless severe these will not be mentioned, and are not grounds for returns. (25) Prospective buyers who wish to have an item expertized or an expert certificate obtained should inform the auctioneer 24 hours or earlier before the auction. Expertizing will be done by a recognized expert or expert committee arranged by the Auctioneer, unless other arrangements have been agreed to. Any purchase is payable in full in compliance with condition 10 (money will not be paid to vendor until after expertizing or refunded to the buyer if the item is proved to be not genuine). All expertizing & related costs are the liability of the buyer unless the item is proved to be not genuine. GENERAL (26) The auctioneer shall not be liable for any default of the purchaser or vendor. (27) The contents of this catalogue are copyright and cannot be reproduced in any shape, way or form without written permission of Status International. (28) Every person on Status International premises or attending the auction is deemed to be there at his/hers own risk, and can have no claim against Status International in respect of any accident, damage, injury or loss. PAYMENTS FROM OVERSEAS Overseas buyers should note that our auctions are conducted in Australian dollars & all invoices are expressed in Australian dollars.
Payment easiest by: (1) Credit Cards (Visa or Mastercard) (2) Bank drafts/cashier’s checks in Australian $ Also possible by: (3) Cheques/Checks in US$, GBP, etc. Please note the rate used is "buy" exchange rate of our bank (NOT some internet "mid-rate". In the case of personal/company cheques we will need to wait for clearance (around 30 days) before sending out the purchases so Bank cheques/cashiers cheque/money orders are preferred (4) Australian or foreign currency banknotes by registered mail, Express Mail or Courier company (strictly at senders risk) |