Notices for Purchasers

Refunds will not be given for “buyer's remorse”. This does not affect your statutory rights. Goods purchased through public auction are exempt from the Right to Cancel, as per The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Fellows provides viewing days by appointment in Birmingham and London to enable any prospective buyer the opportunity to view and inspect any item prior to sale. A virtual viewing service is also available by request.  Buyers are encouraged to view any items on which they would want to bid to sufficiently satisfy themselves of the item’s condition.

The catalogue description and a condition report of a lot are provided by Fellows on lots offered for sale in specialist auctions. They provide potential buyers with information to help them make decisions about whether to bid on a particular lot. Most lots are assessed using a jeweller’s loupe or other such magnification tool.

A lot description describes the item or group of items (lot) being offered for sale at an auction. It typically includes details of the lot's physical appearance such as dimensions and composite parts and may also list the provenance and any other facts about the lot. Whilst care has been taken in the examination of lots consisting of multiple items, it is not always possible to test every component in such lots.

A condition report is an assessment of the physical condition of the item in the lot, often including any visible flaws, imperfections, repairs, or alterations. The absence of a reference to damage or wear does not imply a lack thereof or lack of any further faults within the item. Buyers should expect signs of wear and use consummate with the age of the item.

Buyers should be aware that lots where the catalogue description and/or condition report contain AF, are considered to be at fault. This could mean that key components are damaged and/or deficient; the item has very noticeable damage; it is unwearable or non-functioning.

Information contained within the cataloguing of any lot is a statement of opinion only. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Fellows does not accept any liability for the correctness of such opinions.

Fellows does not guarantee the standard of gold or platinum unless an item is hallmarked. In some cases, Fellows may use a Thermo Scientific Nitron Handheld XRF Analyser to test metals. This technology is limited to examining metal to a depth of approximately 8 microns. Results from electronically tested items should only be used as a guide and with caution, as false readings are possible. Where other marks denoting metal fineness and/or an opinion on metal fineness is included in the description and/or condition report, it should be used as guide only. Information contained within the cataloguing of any lot is a statement of opinion only. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters.

Dimensions for paintings, works on paper, posters etc. are given as height x width. Buyers should assume that these measurements are of an unframed item. Dimensions for furniture are given as height x width x depth. Further measurements such as framed size and additional furniture measurements are noted in the description and/or condition report.

Dimensions for handbags, purses, items of luggage etc, are given as width x depth x height were appropriate.

Dimensions and weights detailed in cataloguing are estimates only. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Fellows does not accept any liability for the correctness of such assessments.

Estimated diamond and coloured gemstone weights, colours, and clarities are intended as guides for buyers only. They are assessed within the given limitations of mounts and settings. There may be a discrepancy between the stated estimate and the unmounted weight.

Weights, colours, and clarities listed by Fellows are intended as guides only. Any such grades are a statement of opinion only. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters.

– Export or import restrictions.

Certain items may be subject to import and/or export restrictions for customers outside of the United Kingdom. Buyers should conduct their due diligence to understand and adhere to the regulations in their own country and the country of origin. Some items, especially those featuring materials from endangered species, may be subject to regulations, leading to export and import restrictions as well as restrictions on the sale of the goods themselves.

CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement aimed at ensuring that the international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The sale of goods from restricted categories, such as those involving endangered or vulnerable species, is subject to stringent regulations.

The Ivory Act 2018 bans the sale of items made of or containing elephant ivory unless they are registered or certified as exempt. Standard exemptions include musical instruments made before 1975 with less than 20% ivory, items made before March 3, 1947, with less than 10% ivory, and portrait miniatures made before 1918 with limited surface area. An exemption exists for pre-1918 items with outstanding artistic, cultural, or historical value.

– comes with a box.

– comes with papers, including but not limited to, warranty cards.

– comes with a report.

The information presented in the reports provided is reflective of the opinions expressed by the respective laboratory and/or individual compiling the report. The content and assessments contained therein are the judgments and perspectives of a third party and may not necessarily align with the views or opinions of Fellows. Fellows does not necessarily endorse or hold the same opinions as those expressed in the reports. Buyers should interpret and consider the findings within the context of the report’s creator’s expertise and analysis.

– This icon indicates that the lot may qualify for free shipping (subject to terms).

– This icon indicates that the lot does not qualify for the free shipping offer but can still be shipped via our standard delivery service.

– This icon indicates that the lot is available for collection only.

Please note that free shipping is offered only when the following conditions are met:

• The invoice total, inclusive of all fees, exceeds £300.
• The shipment can be contained within a single parcel weighing less than 500g.

Invoices which are not eligible may still be shipped for a fee via the standard delivery service.

Please review the terms and conditions of this offer carefully before proceeding.

Find out more information here.

Buyers should be aware that it is not always possible to test each gemstone in a lot given time and equipment constraints outside laboratory conditions. Lots are assessed within the limitations of their mountings unless they have been unset to be examined by Fellows and/or an external laboratory. Any colour and/or clarity gradings listed by Fellows are intended as guides only. Any such grades are a statement of opinion only. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters.

Although every attempt is made to identify and disclose treated and synthetic diamonds and gemstones, Fellows cannot ensure that all lots containing diamond sets are free from such materials. Buyers should assume that all gemstones have undergone some form of treatment unless otherwise stated. 

Any assessment is a statement of opinion only. Buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Fellows does not accept any liability for the correctness of such opinions.

Unless under warranty, most watch case backs will be opened during the valuation and cataloguing process to assess condition and facilitate authentication. Fellows recommends that after receipt of goods, buyers arrange for items purchased at auction to be resealed by an authorised technician to ensure the preservation of stated water resistance.

While Fellows endeavours to identify and disclose any custom attributes when feasible, the absence of such disclosure does not guarantee authenticity. Fellows does not accept any liability if an item is subsequently found to have non-brand alterations. Neither is it always possible to authenticate every component, including individual external and movement parts, watch glasses, hands, straps, and buckles. These alterations may arise from items being previously serviced outside of authorised workshops and Fellows cannot accept liability if any component or part is later found to be with issue. This includes compatible, yet non-original, brand parts and/or numbering that may limit maintenance options through workshops in the future.

Fellows uses a standard numismatic grading scale to specify the condition of a coin. The grading scale from Mint to Poor provides a standardised way and a common language for buyers to understand the condition of coins offered for sale in the auctions.