CONDITIONS OF PUBLIC AUCTION SALES
We also invite you to consult the auction information for any details specific to the sale.
1. COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Expertisez SAS, a simplified joint-stock company with a share capital of 12,000 euros, established in 2002, is a voluntary public auction operator (O.V.V.) governed by the law of July 20, 2011 and registered with the Conseil des Ventes Volontaires de meubles aux enchères publiques under number 068-2015. Its registered office is located at 75 boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8th.
2. ORGANIZATION OF SALES
Auctions organized by Expertisez SAS are broadcast live on the internet. The successful bidder will be the highest and last bidder.
The auction is conducted in euros even if relayed by foreign websites using a different currency.
The works are presented on the Expertisez, Enchérissez and Drouot.com websites, where the sale dates and times are indicated.
The days preceding the sale when the works may be viewed will also be specified, strictly by appointment.
Withdrawal of lots: the auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw a lot, which will be announced prior to the auction.
TECHNICAL FAILURE – INTERNET AND PLATFORM
Participation in online auctions implies acceptance of the risks inherent in the use of electronic communication networks.
Expertisez Enchères shall not be held liable for any interruptions, malfunctions, delays, transmission errors, technical failures, or unavailability of the internet network, the Site, or any third-party platform relaying the auction (including, but not limited to, Drouot.com), beyond its control.
Accordingly, Expertisez Enchères cannot be held responsible for any inability of a bidder to place a bid, to follow the auction in real time, or for any error or omission resulting from a technical failure.
Bidders participate in online auctions at their own risk and are responsible for ensuring the reliability of their internet connection and equipment.
In the event of a proven malfunction, Expertisez Enchères reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to suspend, extend, or cancel the auction without liability.
3. CONDITION OF LOTS AND BIDDER RESPONSIBILITY
Buyers are invited to examine the lots of interest before bidding and to ascertain their condition. The condition of frames is not guaranteed.
We remain at the disposal of prospective buyers to provide condition reports for the described lots, given for information purposes only. High-definition photographs can be sent upon request to allow assessment of the condition of the works. Potential buyers are responsible for inspecting each lot to ensure its condition.
4. SPECIFIC LOTS AND LIABILITY
Lots marked with an asterisk (*) are sold by a member of the auction house, the auction house itself, or one of its experts in accordance with Article L 321-5 II of the French Commercial Code. In accordance with Article L. 321-17 of the French Commercial Code, any action for liability against the auction operator is time-barred after five years from the appraisal or the public auction sale.
5. JEWELRY
Precious and semi-precious stones may have undergone treatments to enhance their appearance. Example: oiling of emeralds, heat treatment of rubies and sapphires, bleaching of pearls, etc. These treatments are traditional and accepted on the international jewelry market. Given the increase in new treatments, stones presented without certificates are sold without guarantee regarding possible treatment. It is specified that the origin of the stones and their quality (color and clarity of diamonds) reflect the opinion of the laboratory issuing the certificate. No claims will be accepted if another laboratory issues a different opinion, and this shall not engage the liability of the auction house or the expert.
6. WATCHES
Restorations, modifications, technical characteristics, serial numbers, dimensions, and weight are noted to the best of our ability. They are provided for information purposes only to assist the potential buyer’s inspection 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 mention does not imply that a watch is free of defects. No guarantee is made regarding the condition of watches and straps. Servicing, adjustments, and water-resistance are the responsibility of the buyer. No claims will be accepted once the hammer has fallen.
7. BIDDING TERMS
Subject to having provided sufficient financial guarantees prior to the sale, bidding is possible in the room, by absentee bid, or by telephone bidding.
Estimates are provided for information purposes only and do not guarantee the final hammer price.
All potential buyers must register in advance on the Drouot platform for verification purposes, even if participating by telephone. The auction house reserves the right to request additional information regarding payment capacity.
The bidding increments remain at the discretion of the auctioneer.
8. OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY
The buyer receives an invoice and becomes the owner of the lot only upon full and effective payment to Expertisez SAS of the hammer price, commissions, and related fees. As soon as the hammer falls, the lots become the full responsibility of the buyer. It is their responsibility to insure the lots at their own expense from the moment of adjudication. Payment must be made in full upon receipt of the sale slip.
9. PAYMENT AND BUYER’S PREMIUM
In addition to the hammer price, the successful bidder must pay a buyer’s premium of 30% including VAT.
An additional commission of 1.8% applies to bids made via online platforms.
Automatic bids generated by Drouot are subject to the same additional 1.8% fee.
Payment must be made immediately after the sale. A sale slip is issued at the end of the auction indicating the available payment methods.
Accepted payment methods:
Bank transfer to Société Générale
Paris Saint Honoré branch – 74 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris 8th
Account No. 0303100022073657 33
IBAN: FR76 3000 3030 3100 0220 7365 733
BIC: SOGEFRPP
Cash within the limits of applicable legislation
Credit card (Carte Bleue, Visa, MasterCard) at the office or online (secure payment)
We remind you that we do not have access to your banking details provided during your registration on auction platforms.
All payments must therefore be made immediately after the sale, according to the methods offered by the auction house.
10. 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, after formal notice has remained unsuccessful, the lot may be resold at the seller’s request at the defaulting bidder’s risk; if the seller does not make such a request within one month from the sale, the sale is 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 of Auctioneers, where payment incidents may be recorded.
Rights of access, rectification, and objection for legitimate reasons must be exercised by the debtor with SYMEV, 15 rue Freycinet, 75016 Paris.
11. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
In accordance with the law, all civil liability actions relating to appraisals and voluntary or judicial auctions of movable property are time-barred after five years from the adjudication or appraisal. French law exclusively governs these general conditions of sale. Any dispute relating to their existence, validity, enforceability, or execution shall be settled by the competent courts within the jurisdiction of Paris (France).
12. COLLECTION OF PURCHASES
Lots will only be released to the buyer after full payment of all sums due. Sold lots will be transferred to the storage facilities of Hôtel Drouot unless a prior request has been made before the auction for small or fragile lots.
Once lots have been transferred to storage, we will not be able to retrieve them on your behalf. Storage fees at Drouot are the responsibility of the buyer.
Return to the auction house is possible only upon prior request.
Bulky items will be stored at TSE storage, 36-56 rue Louis David, 93170 Bagnolet.
Paintings, sculptures, and small works of art returned to the auction house benefit from one month of free storage. Lots not collected within one month after the sale may be transported and stored at the buyer’s expense and risk at TSE storage or equivalent. In all cases, a minimum fee of 5 euros per day will be charged.
