Rago Estate Auction
TERMS OF SALE
Rago Arts and Auction Center
609-397-9374 (p) / 609-397-9377 (f)
(Hereafter referred to as "the Auction House") All bidders are responsible for reading and understanding these Terms of Sale, as well as any supplemental notices. If you have any questions after having read the Terms of Sale, please contact Miriam Tucker at mtucker@ragoarts.com or 609.397.9374, extension 141.
1.
Each lot in this catalogue is offered for sale subject to the terms set out below, as changed or supplemented by provisions a) written in other places within these Terms of Sale, b) in written supplements to this Catalogue or other materials prepared by us and c) as stated by the auctioneer or posted in writing at the auction, prior to a bid being accepted for a lot. No other communications by any employee of the Auction House is intended to be binding, and such communications are made for informational purposes only.
By bidding at the auction the buyer and all bidders agree to be bound by these terms or those changed and supplemented, whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by internet, or other absentee bid.
Upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, the successful bidder becomes the buyer and owner of the property and is responsible for the property, the amount of the successful bid, the buyer's premium, applicable taxes, and other charges provided for in the Terms of Sale in U.S. Dollars, payable immediately.
The thirty (30) day warranty shall commence on the date of sale and continue to run without any tolling even if the Buyer within that thirty (30) day period 1) fails to inspect or pay, 2) requests delay in shipment, 3) provides incorrect shipping address or information or 4) is unavailable to receive shipment.
Sales Results: Preliminary results will be available online shortly after each sale at www.ragoarts.com. Final sales results will be available no earlier than 2 p.m. on our first business day following the auction or as soon as the Auction House has audited and verified all sales.
The Auction House retains all rights to photographs and other intellectual property contained in this catalogue.
2. Auctioneer's Determination Final
A lot will be sold to the highest bidder as determined in the sole and exclusive judgment of the auctioneer. The auctioneer will also have the sole and exclusive power and authority to a) resolve any disputes between bidders, b) determine whether to pass or re-offer a lot for sale, c) reject or challenge any bid or advance in the bidding, d) exclude any bidder from the premises and e) otherwise regulate the bidders, the bidding and its increments.
3. Buyer's Premium, Purchase Price, Taxes, and Billing The buyer's premium for each lot purchased is 25% on the first $50,000 of the hammer price, 20% on the portion from $50,001 through $1,000,000, and 12% on that portion of the hammer price exceeding $1,000,000.
A cash discount of 3% off the 25% buyer's premium will be applied for property purchased by cash, check, wire transfer or money order if payment is received within 15 days of sale. This effectively lowers the 25% buyer's premium to 22%. No discount will be taken off the lower buyer's premium apportioned for lots that sell at $50,001 and above.
On Live Auctioneers and/or Artfact Live!, a buyer's premium in the amount of 26% of the successful high bid will be levied, regardless of payment method.
Taxes: If you are shipping to a New Jersey address or if you pick up the lots you have won at our New Jersey location, you must pay the State's 7% sales tax. The only exception is for those who hold a valid resale license and file the completed New Jersey State Sales Tax Form (New Jersey Seller's Certificate Form ST3 or Non New Jersey Seller's Certificate Form ST-3NR) with Rago's at time of payment. No New Jersey sales tax is charged for purchases shipped out of state.
Billing: All successful bidders will be sent invoices by mail or e-mail the week after the auction.
4. Methods of Payment and Fees
Cash. Check. Wire Transfers. Money Order. Visa. MasterCard. Discover.
PayPal.
All payments are due immediately upon receipt of invoice.
We reserve the right to hold all goods paid for by check until payment has cleared.
If payment is not received within thirty (30) days of sale, the Auction House reserves the right to impose from the date of sale a late charge of 1 1/2% a month of the total purchase price and deny all future credit.
5. Payment, Collection, and Shipping Responsibilities of Buyer Buyer Obligations: On the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title to the property immediately transfers to the successful bidder who, in turn, becomes the buyer of the Property. The buyer assumes full risk and responsibility for the purchased Property, including all costs and expenses of handling, shipping, insurance, taxes, export, and otherwise, and is liable for the full purchase price, plus the buyer's premium, applicable taxes, and any other associated expenses. The Auction House shall not be responsible for insuring buyer's property after purchase.
Collection of Property and Storage Charges: The buyer will pay for the purchased Property immediately and remove it from the premises of the Auction House within fourteen (14) days of the sale. We are not responsible for any damage or loss on property purchased but not removed from premises.
If the purchased Property is not removed within thirty (30) days of the sale, the buyer will thereafter be assessed a $10 per lot storage charge per day. The Auction House may, at its discretion, remove the purchased Property to public storage at the buyer's risk and expense. All associated charges will be added to the total invoice and must be paid in full before the Property will be released.
Those who choose to pick up their property from the Auction House following the sale must call 24 hours in advance to arrange pick-up.
Normal pick-up hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., excepting the hour between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. Property purchased and left at the auction house for 90 days will be sold or donated for you.
Packing and Shipping: The buyer is solely responsible for the shipment and insurance of all purchased property. We will work with any shipper of your choosing.. We are not responsible for any damage or loss that occurs while your objects are in another's or our care after purchase is made. We will also not be responsible for any and all losses that occur during shipping.
As a convenience to the buyer, the Auction House will, if requested, give your property to Masterpiece Shipping in Buckingham, PA. This company will pack and ship or arrange shipment for you via UPS, FedEx or other carrier, fully insured, for a fee payable in advance by credit card. Shipments are made within a few days after payment has been received.
All international customs, duties, and other tariffs are the responsibility of the Buyer. The Auction House and Masterpiece Shipping will declare the selling price as the value in all cases.
Shipping larger items: Larger items are objects such as furniture, andirons, floor vases, or any other item whose safe packing will exceed the limits of common carriers. The Auction House can arrange delivery by freight almost anywhere in the United States, fully insured, for a fee. The delivery of large, heavy, or expensive objects is not an inexpensive proposition and we urge you to consider this before bidding.
Firearms: The Auction House works with the independent contractor Jim's Gun Shop, a New Jersey company that retains both a Federal Firearms license
(FFL) and an ATF Class Three license. After payment, the following firearms will be transferred to Jim's Gun Shop for pick-up or for shipment out-of-state to an authorized FFL: 1) long guns manufactured after 1898; 2) guns that accept fixed ammunition; 3) all guns described by Auction House as "hand gun" or "revolver", regardless of age or ammunition type. For more information contact Chris Wise at the Auction House or Jim's Gun Shop, 28 Elm Street, Harrington Park, New Jersey. 201-803 -3501 or 201-750-1306.
6. Buyer Default
Remedies: If any of the Terms of Sale are not fully complied with by the buyer, the buyer will be in default without need of notice by the Auction House. The buyer shall be liable to the Auction House and the consignor for the total purchase price, including all premiums, charges, and expenses specified in the Terms of Sale. Interest shall accrue at the rate of 18% per annum commencing with the date of the auction. In addition to other remedies available to the Auction House by law, the Auction House may, at its option,
a) cancel the sale of the lot(s) on which the buyer defaulted and of any other lots sold to the defaulting buyer at the same or any other auction(s) and retain as liquidated damages all payments made by the buyer, b) resell the purchased Property, whether at public auction or private sale, or c) pursue any combination of a) and b) above. In event of default, the buyer will be responsible to the Auction House and the consignor for any deficiency, any and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, collection fees and expenses, late charges, and other damages. The Auction House may, at its discretion, apply any proceeds of sale otherwise due to the buyer or monies of the buyer in the Auction House's possession to reduce or satisfy the buyer's obligations.
Security Interest: As security for full payment to the Auction House and the consignor of all amounts due, the buyer grants the Auction House the right to retain a security interest in the Property purchased at auction and in any other property or money of buyer in the Auction House's possession or coming the Auction House's possession (collectively, "collateral"). The Auction House shall have the rights of a secured creditor as provided by the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law. Such security interest in the Property or other collateral will cease when the Property is physically delivered to the buyer or the buyer's agent.
7. Warranties and Guarantees
All items are served "As-Is, Where-Is," except as expressly stated otherwise in the following paragraph:
All information in the catalogue concerning authenticity is guaranteed for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of sale. In that time, prior to payment to the consignor of the work, the Auction House will allow the buyer to submit, at his own expense, an opinion in writing from a recognized expert, approved by the Auction House and the purchaser, regarding authenticity. In the event the work is judged inauthentic by the expert, the work may be returned in the same condition as at time of sale and the buyer's full purchase price will be refunded. Refunds shall not include costs of transportation, insurance, or other expenses that may have been incurred by the buyer. It is the buyer's responsibility to make payment in a timely fashion such that the property can be released and inspected within this thirty (30) day time frame. Should the buyer not do so, or should the buyer request the auction house to delay shipment, should he give an incorrect shipping address, or be unavailable to receive shipment, the thirty (30) day warranty shall still apply. If the Auction House has paid the consignor the amounts due consignor as a result of the sale, the Auction House will (i) refund to the buyer the amount of the buyer's premium and applicable taxes received from the buyer, and (ii) make written demand upon the consignor for the payment of the balance of the purchase price. If the consignor fails to honor the written demand for a refund of the balance of the purchase price, the Auction House will furnish buyer the name and address of the consignor, and assign to buyer all of the Auction House's rights for the return of the balance of the purchase price of the affected lot. Upon this disclosure and assignment, the Auction House will have no further liability to buyer or responsibility to pursue the buyer's claim.
The Auction House will extend reasonable cooperation to buyer, provided that such cooperation does not require out-of-pocket expenditures by the Auction House. This limited right of rescission is available only to the original buyer and may not be relied upon by any heir, agent, transferee, assign, or other third party or assigned to any subsequent transferee of the Property which gives rise to the claim.
This Warranty does not cover any description that states there is a conflict of specialist opinion; any description that states (or is bracketed in a section described as) "as-is" or "not guaranteed."
This Warranty does not cover any typographical errors.
This Warranty does not cover wear on furniture.
This Warranty does not cover flakes, surface scratches, or manufacturing flaws in glass or ceramics.
The description of clocks and lighting devices, whether in catalogues or condition reports, may be incomplete and not identify every mechanical replacement, repair, or defect. The absence of reference to the condition of a clock or lighting device does not imply it to be in working condition or without defects, repairs, restorations, or replacement parts.
The description of jewelry, whether in catalogues, condition reports, or any other form, is rendered as opinion, including, but not limited to, specialist opinion as to authenticity, the enhancement or treatment of gemstones, the weight of gemstones, the country of origin, the authorship or origin (manufacture) of an item, its period (or c.) or the authenticity of its marks. No warranty is made that any watch is in working condition or without defects, restorations, or working parts.
Buyers are advised to check watch works prior to auction.
All measurements are approximate.
This disclaimer of liability on our part applies whether the information is included in the catalogue, advertisements, announcements, or communicated through our representatives, bills of sale, or elsewhere, and whether written or oral.
No Warranty of Reproduction: Neither the consignor nor we make any warranty or representation, express or implied, as to whether a buyer will acquire any reproduction rights, copyrights or other intellectual property rights in, or with respect to, the Property.
The Auction House makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the merchantability or fitness for purpose except as otherwise expressly stated in these Terms of Sale.
8. Qualifying to Bid
As a security measure for our consignors and our company, all Buyers must establish credit. You will be asked to furnish identification and a valid credit card number, credit references. and/or (for absentee, phone and online bidders) an initial deposit in the form of a pre-authorization hold equal to 10% of the low estimate of the total number of lots on which you are bidding. First time and international buyers bidding on Asian lots with a total low estimate of $5,000 or greater will be asked to a) furnish an initial deposit in the form of a pre-authorization hold equal to 30% and b) grant the Auction House the right to charge your credit card 30% of the selling price on the day of sale. If you are acting as another's agent or principal, we may request a letter of authorization. If you are successful and do not remit payment as specified, the amount owed will be charged to your credit card together with such charges set forth in these terms of sale. If you have any questions, contact Eliane Talec, ext. 118.
Bidding Numbers: All bidders must register and receive a bidding number from the Auction House prior to bidding at the auction.
9. Bidding Increments
All unreserved bidding starts at 50% of the low estimate unless there are two or more competing absentee bids in excess of this figure.
The auctioneer has the sole and exclusive power, discretion, and authority to regulate the bidding and its increments.
Increments
$10 until $100 is reached
$25 until $500 is reached
$50 until $1,000 is reached
$100 until $3,000 is reached
$250 until $5,000 is reached
$500 until $10,000 is reached
$1,000 until $30,000 is reached
$2,500 until $50,000 is reached
$5,000 until $100,000 is reached
$10,000 over $100,000
10. Absentee Bids
Absentee bids are requested by no later than 6:00 p.m. on the business day before the auction.
We accept absentee bids by phone, by mail, in person, or by fax. If you fax your absentee bids, please call us to confirm receipt.
All absentee bidding is handled as though you are in attendance. We buy all designated lots for you one bidding increment above where competition stops.
Please check and comply with these increments. In case of failure to comply, we will reduce each off-increment bid to the next lower figure.
"Plus" bids: Because of our structured bidding increments, it is more likely that several people will leave identical bids. Since an earlier bid left with the auction house wins in the event of a tie, a later bid with an added "plus" bid to the next increment would win the piece.
Absentee bids left on Live Auctioneers and Artfact Live! are sent to the auction house during the actual sale. There is no time advantage to these bids at all.
All absentee bidder names and bids are held in strictest confidence, disclosed only in the event of a question after the sale.
Absentee bidding is a convenience offered to our customers and, while we will make every effort to execute your instructions, the Auction House is not liable or responsible for any errors or failure to do so. If you place absentee bids with the Auction House, then choose to attend in person, bid by phone or any other means, it is solely your responsibility to cancel any or all absentee bids prior to the start of the auction
11. Telephone Bids
Rago's guarantees you a line and a phone agent for bidding until 4 PM on the day prior to an auction. After that time, we will gladly accept your absentee bids, even during the auction (up to 30 minutes before a lot goes on the block). Changes to bid lists left with us prior to the deadline will always be accommodated as best we can, as will follow-up phone bids for those who attend/must leave the auction and other exceptional cases.
Please call to set up all phone line requests. Do not fax phone line requests. If you need condition reports, please request and review them prior to reserving phone lines.
We can call you at two phone numbers ONLY during the auction. If you are unsure of where you or your agent will be during the sale, we recommend you leave absentee bids.
Please do not change your phone number after your phone lines have been confirmed; if you do, the Auction House will not be responsible for any breakdown in communications. Overseas phone numbers only will be confirmed the day before the auction.
We do not have the capacity to assign phone agents to clients who want to listen only or who will not bid the minimum selling price. Therefore, if you bid by phone, you must be willing to open bidding and bid to within 2/3 of the low estimate should the bidding go that far. You may, however, leave absentee bids for any amount.
Bids are placed on the telephone at the discretion of the Auction House and at the caller's risk. Telephone bidding is a convenience offered to our customers and, while we will make every effort to execute your instructions, the Auction House is not liable or responsible for any errors or failure to do so.
If you place absentee bids with the Auction House or Live Auctioneers and also bid in person, by phone or any other means, it is solely your responsibility to cancel any or all absentee bids prior to the start of the auction. If you do not or cannot, regardless of reason, you will be held responsible for the property's purchase.
12. Internet Bids
The Auction House has engaged the services of Live Auctioneers and Artfact Live! for its clients who wish to bid and buy online.
Please proceed to liveauctioneers.com and/or Artfact Live! for all necessary information on how to bid and buy online using this system. The user of Live Auctioneers and/or Artfact Live! indemnifies and holds the Auction House and its consignors harmless against any claim arising out of or resulting from your use of the Live Auctioneers and/or Artfact Live! site, including all losses, damages, liabilities, and all fees (including attorney's fees), costs, and expenses incurred in connection with any claim. Under no circumstances, including, but not limited to, negligence, shall the Auction House and its consignors be liable for lost profits or any special, incidental, or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, this site.
If you place absentee bids with the Auction House and/or Live Auctioneers and also bid in person, by phone or any other means, it is solely your responsibility to cancel any or all absentee bids prior to the start of the auction. If you do not or cannot, regardless of reason, you will be held responsible for the property's purchase.
13. Condition Reports
Condition reports are rendered as specialist opinion by the staff of the Auction House and/or independent consultants and not as statements of fact.
We do not guarantee the content of written or verbal condition reports.
If you would like condition reports for items in the sale, please call (609) 397-9374, fax condition report requests to (609)397-9377 or e-mail them to info@ragoarts.com. Our specialists will respond to requests as quickly as possible. Please be patient. We get many requests and we make every effort to respond to all of them in a timely fashion. The Auction House is not liable or responsible for any errors or failure to do so.
14. Reserves
A reserve is the confidential minimum price established by the Auction House and the consignor. The reserve will never exceed the low estimate of the lot. The Auction House prohibits consignors from bidding on their own property, but may implement the reserve by bidding on behalf of the consignor at the auction up to the reserve.
15. Estimates
The estimates provided in this catalogue are our opinion of the price that a willing buyer would pay for the property at auction, based, where possible, on prices paid for comparable items sold in the past. They are neither a representation nor a prediction of the actual selling price that will be realized at auction, post-auction sale, or upon resale, which may be substantially different from these estimates. We shall not be liable in any way for such a difference.
16. Withdrawal of Property from Sale
The Auction House reserves the right to withdraw property from the sale for any reason and with no liability whatsoever for such withdrawal.
17. Rescission by Buyer
All items are served "As-Is, Where-Is," except as expressly stated otherwise in Paragraph 7. Buyer acknowledges and expressly agrees that the provisions of this Paragraph state the sole and exclusive remedy available to a buyer in the event of non-conformity in Property purchased. The buyer understands and agrees that the exclusive remedy for any breach of the warranty shall be a rescission of the sale and a refund of the original purchase price (bid plus buyer's premium), as well as any applicable taxes paid. Neither the Auction House nor its Consignor shall be liable for damages beyond the remedy expressly provided for herein, such as, but not limited to, direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, or consequential, including the loss of profit or revenue, cost of obtaining alternative property, claims of customers of the buyer or otherwise.
18. Rescission by the Auction House
In the event the Auction House receives notice of an adverse claim with respect to purchased Property, the Auction House shall have the right (but not the obligation), in its sole and absolute discretion, to rescind the sale to the buyer, upon written notice to the buyer. Upon such notice, the buyer will promptly return the purchased property to the Auction House's premises in the same condition as when purchased.
The Auction House will then promptly refund the purchase price, including the buyer's premium and applicable taxes paid. Buyer will have no further recourse against the Auction House or the consignor, and the Auction House and the consignor shall not be liable for any damages of any nature suffered by the buyer.
19. Governing Law and Forum for Disputes The laws of New Jersey shall govern the auctions of the Auction House. Any disputes that may arise in connection with the auction and/or any auction purchase, and all of the terms and conditions set forth herein above, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with New Jersey law. Anyone who participates in the auction and/or makes auction purchases agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey with respect to any dispute arising in connection with the auction and/or any auction purchases. In the event that the Auction House needs to bring an action to enforce the terms and conditions herein and/or to collect any sum due and owing to it the Auction House shall be entitled in addition to collect its reasonable attorney's fees, collection agency fees, and cost of suit.
20. Limitations of Liability
The Auction House acts only as the agent for the consignor and in no event will be liable for any breach or default by the consignor.
21. Severability and Waiver
If any provision of portion of these Terms of Sale shall be deemed unlawful, void, or unenforceable under applicable law, that provision or portion shall be stricken and severed from the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. Failure to enforce any of the provisions in these Terms of Sale shall not be deemed a waiver of the right to enforce any other provisions of these Terms of Sale.
22. No Assignment
Unless the Auction House consents in writing, buyers may not assign their rights or any of their obligations related to an auction or other sale by the Auction House.
23. No Modifications
These Terms of Sale may not be changed unless the Auction House and buyer have agreed to do so in a written agreement signed by both parties.
24. Export or Import:
An export license may be required for the export of certain materials. Some countries prohibit the importation of certain materials. It is the sole responsibility of buyers to familiarize themselves with any required license and import/export requirements. The Auction House will have no responsibility with regard to these matters.
25. Firearms
All Firearms will be sold in accordance with State of New Jersey and Federal firearms laws and any relevant State of New Jersey and Federal laws. It is the sole responsibility of buyers to familiarize themselves with their local laws and requirements for the possession of firearms; to identify and obtain any necessary license or permit prior to bidding; and to abide by all Federal, State and local laws and requirements. The Auction House and the Consignor make no representations or warranties as to whether any lot is or is not subject to such restrictions and will have no responsibility with regard to these matters. The Auction House works with the independent contractor Jim's Gun Shop, a New Jersey company that retains both a Federal Firearms license (FFL) and an ATF Class Three license also on file with Auction House. After payment, the following firearms will be transferred to Jim's Gun Shop for pick-up or shipment out of state to another authorized
FFL: 1) long guns manufactured after 1898; 2) guns that accept fixed ammunition; 3) all guns described by Auction House as "hand gun" or "revolver", regardless of age or ammunition type. No firearms will be sold internationally.
26. Miscellaneous
Private Sales: These Terms of Sale shall apply to both auction and private sales of property.
Paragraph Headings: Paragraph and subheadings are included in these Terms of Sale for ease of reference and should not be used to interpret the meaning of the substantive provisions
