Selling at Auction

Why Sell with Catherine Southon?

Whether you are selling a single item, a private collection, or the contents of an estate, consigning to Catherine Southon gives you access to a trusted network of national and international buyers, as well as a global audience of online bidders. Our expertly marketed auctions maximise visibility and help achieve the best possible prices for your items.

Our small, experienced team offers a truly personal service. Unlike larger auction houses, we ensure that you have a single point of contact from the moment you consign items to the moment they are sold, to provide a seamless auction experience from start to finish.

The information below explains our valuation and selling process (including what to expect before, during, and after your sale), and our commission rates:

Free Auction Valuations: How to Get Your Items Appraised

If you're considering selling at auction, the first step is to arrange a free auction valuation. Our experienced specialists will assess your items, provide an initial appraisal, and advise on their suitability for sale.

There are several convenient ways to obtain a valuation:

1. Request an online valuation - Complete our online valuation form and upload photographs of your antiques, jewellery, watches, fine art, collectables, or other items. Your enquiry will be reviewed by the appropriate specialist, who will contact you within one or two working days.
   
   
2. Visit our auction house - We host weekly valuation days every Tuesdays and Thursdays at our Chislehurst saleroom. Call the office on 020 8396 6970 to book an appointment.
   
   
3. Attend one of our valuation days – We hold regular valuation events at venues across the South East. Find an event near you and contact us to book an appointment.
   
   
4. Arrange a home visit – For larger collections, valuable items, or complete estate contents, we can arrange a convenient home visit for an expert auction valuation.

How Do I Commit My Items to Auction?

Once you have decided to sell your items at auction, our team will guide you through the straightforward consignment process. We will formally receipt your items, and provide recommended estimates based on our specialist knowledge and current market trends.

Where appropriate, we will agree a reserve price with you. This is the minimum amount your item can sell for at auction, ensuring your interests are protected while allowing our auctioneers to achieve the best possible result.

Before the auction takes place, you will receive a pre-sale advice document approximately one week before the sale. This will include important details such as the catalogue description, lot number, and estimated value for each of your items. We encourage all sellers to carefully review this information and let us know if any amendments or updates are required. Our team is always happy to discuss any queries and ensure you are completely satisfied with the details before your items are offered for sale.

All items consigned to our saleroom are fully insured while in our care.

How Will My Items Be Presented at Auction?

We believe in a professional and transparent approach throughout the auction process. Our team ensures that every item is carefully researched, catalogued, photographed, and presented to achieve maximum buyer interest.

We produce fully illustrated printed or online catalogues for every sale, ensuring your items are professionally showcased to potential buyers both locally and around the world.

Prior to the auction, your items will be available for viewing at our Chislehurst Saleroom, giving prospective buyers the opportunity to inspect them in person. 

We also have excellent relationships with PR agencies and newspaper, magazine and media contacts, allowing us to secure additional exposure for significant, or noteworthy items. Where suitable, your items may benefit from targeted publicity to reach a wider audience of collectors, dealers, and international buyers.

What Are the Auction Fees and Commission Rates?

We offer a straightforward and transparent pricing policy, designed to make selling at auction clear and easy to understand. Our charges are made up of two simple elements: a competitive seller’s commission of 17.5%+VAT and a £10+VAT photography fee for each lot entered into the sale. 

What to Expect on Auction Day

Our live auctions are professionally managed by experienced, fully trained auctioneers who create a dynamic, competitive bidding environment that helps maximise the value of every lot. With both in-person and online bidding available, our auctions attract collectors, dealers, investors, and private buyers from across the UK and around the world. This global reach gives your antiques, fine art, jewellery, and collectables, maximum exposure, increasing competition and helping you achieve the best possible auction results.

You are more than welcome to attend the auction yourself, at our Chislehurst saleroom, or watch it from the comfort of your own home through the online livestream.

Feedback

“We were delighted with the service received from Catherine and her team, when we invited them to assess and sell some of the contents of my late father’s house. One member of staff, who visited the house, provided a concise and clear assessment of each item, which was followed up with a written report. In addition, he identified some additional items of interest which were added to the consignment. Their carrier service was professional, the items were well presented, and we were delighted with the results of the auction. We are happy to recommend Catherine and her team and will certainly look to use their services in the future.”

Mr & Mrs V

How and When Will I Receive Payment?

Once your items have been sold, you will receive a post-sale advice document confirming the results of your auction. After you have returned this with your bank details, and payment has been received from the buyer, we will transfer your proceeds by secure direct bank transfer.

We aim to make all payments within 25 working days of the auction, ensuring your funds are processed promptly and securely.