TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PUBLIC AUCTION SALES
Expertisez SAS, a simplified joint-stock company (société par actions simplifiée) with a share capital of €12,000, established in 2002, is a voluntary auction operator (O.V.V.) governed by the law of July 20, 2011 and registered with the Conseil des Ventes Volontaires of public auctioneers under number 068-2015. Its registered office is located at 75 boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France.
Auctions organized by Expertisez SAS are broadcast in real time on the internet. The successful bidder shall be the highest and final bidder.
The auction is conducted in euros, even if relayed on foreign websites using different currencies.
The works are presented on the Expertisez, Encherissez and Drouot.com websites, where the dates and times of the sales are indicated.
The days prior to the sale during which the works may be viewed will also be specified, strictly by appointment.
Buyers are invited to examine the lots in which they are interested prior to bidding and to verify their condition. Dimensions are given for guidance only. The condition of frames is not guaranteed. Any remarks, additions or modifications made prior to the presentation of the lot shall not give rise to any claim.
We remain at the disposal of prospective buyers to provide condition reports on the described lots, for information purposes only. High-definition photographs may be sent upon request to assess the condition of the works. Potential buyers are responsible for inspecting each lot to satisfy themselves as to its condition.
Lots marked with an asterisk (*) are sold by a member of the auction company, the company itself, or one of its experts, in accordance with Article L321-5 II of the French Commercial Code. In accordance with Article L321-17 of the French Commercial Code, any action for liability against the auction operator is subject to a limitation period of five years from the appraisal or the public auction.
Jewellery: Precious and semi-precious stones may have undergone treatments intended to enhance their appearance (e.g. oiling of emeralds, heat treatment of rubies and sapphires, bleaching of pearls, etc.). These treatments are traditional and accepted in the international jewellery market. Given the increase in new treatments, stones presented without certificates are sold without any guarantee regarding possible treatments. It is specified that the origin and quality (colour and clarity of diamonds) reflect the opinion of the issuing laboratory. No claims will be accepted if another laboratory issues a differing opinion, and such differences shall not engage the liability of the auction house or the expert.
Watches: Restorations, modifications, technical characteristics, serial numbers, dimensions and weights are indicated to the best of our ability. They are provided for guidance only to facilitate inspection by the prospective buyer and remain subject to their personal assessment. The liability of the auctioneer and the expert cannot be engaged in the event of omissions despite the precautions taken. The absence of any mention does not imply that a watch is free from defects. No guarantee is given regarding the condition of watches or straps. Servicing, adjustments and water resistance are the responsibility of the buyer. No claims will be accepted once the hammer has fallen.
Subject to having provided sufficient financial guarantees prior to the sale, it is possible to bid.
Estimates are provided for guidance only and do not guarantee the final hammer price.
The buyer receives an invoice and does not become the owner of the lot until full and effective payment has been made to Expertisez SAS, including the hammer price, commissions and related costs. From the moment the hammer falls, the lots become the sole responsibility of the buyer, who must insure them at their own expense.
PAYMENT AND BUYER’S PREMIUM
In addition to the hammer price, the successful bidder must pay a buyer’s premium of 30% inclusive of all taxes.
An additional commission of 1.8% applies to bids placed via online platforms.
Automatic bids generated by Drouot or Invaluable are subject to the same additional 1.8% fee.
Payment must be made immediately after the sale. An invoice is issued at the end of the auction indicating the available payment methods.
Accepted payment methods:
- Bank transfer to Société Générale
- Agency: Paris Saint Honoré – 74 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, 75008 Paris
- Account number: 0303100022073657 33
- IBAN: FR76 3000 3030 3100 0220 7365 733
- BIC: SOGEFRPP
- Cash within the limits permitted by applicable law
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard) at the office or online (secure payment)
Please note that we do not have access to your banking details provided during your registration on third-party auction platforms.
All payments must be made in full immediately after the sale in accordance with the methods provided by the auction house.
DEFAULT OF PAYMENT
In accordance with Article 14 of Law No. 2000-642 of July 10, 2000, in the event of non-payment by the successful bidder, and after formal notice remains unsuccessful, the lot may be resold at the seller’s request at the defaulting bidder’s risk and expense. If the seller does not make such a request within one month of the sale, the sale shall be automatically cancelled, without prejudice to damages owed by the defaulting bidder.
The auction operator is a member of the Central Register for the Prevention of Unpaid Debts maintained by the French auctioneers’ association, where payment incidents may be recorded.
Rights of access, rectification and objection for legitimate reasons may be exercised by the debtor with SYMEV, 15 rue Freycinet, 75016 Paris.
APPLICABLE LAW AND JURISDICTION
In accordance with the law, all civil liability actions relating to appraisals and voluntary or judicial public auctions of movable property are subject to a five-year limitation period from the date of the auction or appraisal.
These general terms and conditions are governed exclusively by French law.
Any dispute relating to their existence, validity, enforceability against any bidder or buyer, or their execution shall be submitted to the competent courts within the jurisdiction of Paris (France).
COLLECTION OF PURCHASES
Lots will only be released to the buyer after full payment of all sums due.
Lots sold will be transferred to storage at Hôtel Drouot, unless a prior request has been made to the auction house before the sale for small or fragile items.
Once transferred to storage, we will no longer be able to retrieve the lots. Storage fees at Drouot are the responsibility of the buyer.
Return to the auction house is possible only upon prior request.
Large items will be stored at TSE storage facilities, 36–56 rue Louis David, 93170 Bagnolet.
Paintings, sculptures and small art objects returned to the auction house benefit from one month of free storage. Lots not collected within one month may be transferred and stored at the buyer’s expense and risk at TSE or equivalent storage facilities.
In all cases, a minimum storage fee of €5 per day will be charged.