Proxy & Telephone Bidding
Proxy & Telephone Bidding

Proxy & Telephone Bidding

Wherever possible it is always best to attend an auction yourself to bid. However, where that is not possible, then you may still be able to bid for a property if you provide a proxy bid or bid by telephone.

Online Auctions - please refer to our registration page

For room auctions 

Terms and Conditions

  1. A proxy bidder is where a buyer cannot attend an auction in person and appoints a third party, be that the auctioneer, a friend or relative to bid for the relevant lot on behalf of the buyer. As legally it is the bidder that exchanges contracts in the purchase at ‘the fall of the hammer’ it is important that the buyer and bidder have their respective positions protected by the signing of a Proxy Bidder Form.
  2. Check the link below for our terms and conditions for proxy and telephone bidding and ensure you comply with these requirements.
  3. Where third parties are to act on your behalf we would advise it to be prudent for you to fill out the Proxy Bidding Form (and Memorandum Form as best you can) and your bidder should present the Form and Memorandum at the legal desk if they are successful on your behalf in bidding for the property. Information relating to the seller etc will be added to the memorandum at the legal desk at signing.
  4. Whether you would like a third party or a representative of John Francis to act on your behalf in bidding by proxy or by telephone, please note:-
    • Proxy and telephone bidders shall be considered to have inspected the property, seen all conditions of sale and notices relating to the lot and have full knowledge of changes even where late alterations are made that remote bidders cannot possibly have seen.
    • Proxy and telephone bidders should provide a cheque for the deposit made out to us as agents (see section 1 above). With your Proxy Bidding Form and cheque should also be evidence of proof of funds which could form a bankers reference, copy of a statement or investment account.
    • Proxy and telephone bidders will also need to provide a cheque made out to John Francis in the sum of £600 plus VAT representing the buyers premium.
  5. Proxy and telephone bidders may, in writing only, at any time up to the commencement of the auction in which the particular lot is to be sold withdraw the auctioneer’s authority to bid. It is the prospective buyers' responsibility to ensure that the auctioneer personally receives such instructions and you should check and ensure that such instructions have been received.
  6. Unless the relevant lot is sold to the prospective proxy/telephone bidder, the amount of the prospective buyers' bid will not be disclosed to the seller or any other person before, during or after the sale without the consent of the proxy/telephone buyer.
  7. It should be noted that the auctioneer reserves the right to bid for the seller up to the reserve price for a particular lot.
  8. Other than the buyer's premium, which is applicable to all buyers at auction, the auctioneer will make an administration charge of £30 to the buyer for the service of dealing with remote bids (such charge should be added to the buyer's premium payment). The auctioneer will not accept liability whatsoever for any bid not being made on behalf of a prospective buyer whether it is through a lack of clarity of instructions or for any other reason whatsoever.
  9. Telephone bidders will be contacted half an hour before the commencement of the auction to ensure a good signal is received and prospective purchasers will need to be available by that telephone up to an hour after the time that the auction is advertised to commence. It is the buyers' responsibility to ensure that they are located in a place where a sufficiently strong clear signal will be available at the time of the auction when mobile phones are being used.
  10. CLICK HERE - to access the Proxy/Telephone Bidding Form and Memorandum of Sale.
  11. Please print the form which should be returned with cheques and reference within 24 hours of the auction.