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Koller ibid auctions - FAQ


Koller has been conducting successful auctions for over 60 years, and during this time we have witnessed many developments in the art market. The digital age has made it possible to reach a wider range of potential collectors, and we see the ever-increasing popularity of e-commerce as providing alternative possibilities for auctions, and opportunities for both our consignors and buyers.

Online-only auctions, which allow bidders to place their bids online over a period of two weeks – 24 hours a day and from almost anywhere worldwide – appeal to a large number of potential buyers who have become familiar with this method of purchasing at auction.

This is why since 2019 Koller has created a new category of auctions called ‘Koller ibid online only’. Alongside our traditional saleroom auctions, these timed online auctions are designed for items with a broad international appeal. Our ibid online only auctions are designated with this icon in order to distinguish them from our traditional saleroom auctions.

We hope you enjoy, as many of our customers do, the particular thrill of bidding in these exciting auctions. If you have any questions about ibid online only auctions, you will probably find the answer in the FAQs below. If not, please don’t hesitate to contact us (support@kollerauctions.com).



HOW DO I REGISTER TO BID?

In order to participate in our ibid online only auctions, you must register to bid. Besides your name and address, we ask for your email address and your mobile number, in case you wish to be notified about your bids via SMS. For security reasons, we also require valid credit card information. If you already have a Koller login, in order to bid in our ibid online only auctions you just need to update your credit card information and agree to the ibid online only auction conditions.

IS MY CREDIT CARD INFORMATION SECURE?

Yes, your credit card information is safe. The information is encrypted and stored by SIX Payment Services. Koller Auctions has no access to this information.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN HELP?

If you need technical support concerning the auction or your registration, you can contact our help desk by email (support@kollerauctions.com) or by telephone (+41 44 445 63 63). If you have questions concerning an item in the auction, please click on the “Query” button, located next to each lot description. This will enable you to get in touch by telephone or email with the appropriate specialist for this item.

WHAT IF I HAVE FORGOTTEN MY PASSWORD?

If you forget your password, we will help you to quickly and easily get a new one. Just enter the email address you used to register at Koller here and we will send you a link to reset your password. If you haven’t received an email within a few minutes, please check your spam folder. If you have forgotten your registered email address, please call our help desk: +41 44 445 63 98.

CAN I OBTAIN ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF A LOT?

Unfortunately it is not possible for us to send you additional images of any lot. Each lot has between 3 and 6 images in the online catalogue, which can be enlarged with the zoom feature. If you are still uncertain, you can always examine the lot in person during our auction preview.

IS THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE LOTS GUARANTEED?

Yes, Koller guarantees the accuracy of the lot descriptions with its 60 years of experience, as defined in the Auction Conditions. Every item in the ibid online only auctions is handled with the same care and by the same specialists as the lots in our classic auctions. Please note however, that the auctioned items are by nature “used” objects, and so almost always show signs of wear and/or losses.

CAN I VIEW THE ITEMS BEFORE THE AUCTION?

All of the items in each sale may be examined during the auction preview. The precise dates and locations of the previews can be seen by clicking on the “Preview” link next to each item’s description.

HOW DOES “MY CATALOGUE” WORK?

With the “My Catalogue” feature, you can make your own personal catalogue containing exclusively the items in which you are interested. You also have the possibility to show only the items on your screen which you would like to watch or have bid on.

HOW CAN I BID?

You can place a bid at any time during the entire period that the catalogue is online (14 days). All you have to do is click on the “Bid now” button which is next to each item in the online catalogue. Before you confirm your bid, you will see the total price you must pay if you are successful, including buyer’s premium and VAT. Please note that for ibid online only auctions we only accept online bids. It is not possible to leave a written bid or a telephone bid for these auctions.

HOW DOES A MAXIMUM BID WORK?

If you don’t want to keep bidding step-by-step, another way to participate in the auction is to leave a maximum bid. The system will then bid automatically for you up to the maximum amount you entered.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM OUTBID A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE END OF THE AUCTION?

If a new bid is entered within the last 30 seconds before the end of the auction for a lot, the bidding for that lot will be automatically extended by one minute. That way you have time to decide whether you wish to bid again. The last 30 seconds will be clearly indicated on a status bar.

WILL I BE AUTOMATICALLY INFORMED WHEN I AM OUTBID?

Yes. When you register to bid, you can choose whether you wish to be informed by email or by text messaging. You will receive a notification each time you are outbid, as well as when you are the successful bidder. Please note that no further notifications will be sent during the last two minutes of bidding.

CAN I WITHDRAW MY BID?

No, each bid is binding and cannot be withdrawn.

WHAT CHARGES DO I HAVE TO PAY IF I AM THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER?

On top of each highest bid we charge a buyer’s premium of 25%, plus VAT on the buyer’s premium. Each time you place a bid, we will show you the total charges, including buyer’s premium and VAT.

WAS DOES AN ASTERISK * SIGNIFY NEXT TO A LOT NUMBER?

All items indicated with an asterisk * are fully liable to VAT, meaning that for these items, VAT will be charged on the sum of the hammer price plus buyer’s premium. Buyer’s who provide an officially stamped export declaration will receive a refund of the VAT.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR AN ITEM?

If you are the highest bidder for an item, you will receive a notification by email or text message. You can see all of the items on which you bid in your online catalogue. You can also see if you were the successful bidder on those items.

HOW DO I PAY?

After the close of the auction you will receive an invoice via email for all of the items on which you were the successful bidder, which you must pay within 7 days. You decide how you prefer to pay the invoice: a) with your saved credit card information, by clicking on a link in the email; b) with another credit card, or c) by bank transfer. Of course, you can always pay the invoice in person in our salerooms. Please note that Koller will debit your credit card automatically if your invoice is not paid within 14 days after the auction.

HOW DO I RECEIVE THE ITEMS I PURCHASED?

Once we have received your payment (including buyer’s premium and VAT), you can collect your purchases in our salerooms during our regular opening hours, within 14 days of the auction. You can also arrange shipping through our recommended shipping company or a company of your own choosing. Items which are not collected within two weeks following the auction will be stored on our premises or in a third-party warehouse, at the expense of the purchaser.

CAN I PURCHASE AN UNSOLD ITEM AFTER THE AUCTION?

No, it is not possible to purchase items outside of the auction. All ibid online only auctions will be taken offline after each auction.

WILL ALL KOLLER AUCTIONS BE HELD ON THE IBID ONLINE ONLY PLATFORM?

No, the majority of our main auctions will continue to be held in the saleroom in the traditional manner. Our ibid online only auctions are designed for items of broad appeal that are particularly suited to the online only format.