The public is admitted to preview all auction items the day before the sale, and this day only except for some special sales when the viewing time may be extended.
Catalogs and admission are free.
The auction starts at 10AM and ends between 7PM and 9PM. All lots are auctioned in numerical sequence as they appear in the catalog.
BIDS
To make a bid, simply raise your hand when you wish to execute a bid and make sure that the auctioneer acknowledges your bid. If you are the highest bidder on the lot, the clerk will come to you, request a 30% deposit and assign you a Buyer's code. You cannot pick up your item during the sale. Payment and Pick-up times are a half an hour after the sale is over, or on the Monday and Tuesday following the sale.
We will accept phone bids only from clients who have previously cleared their financial credentials with our Executive Office. In order to phone bid, the lot must be estimated in the catalog at $500 or more. In addition, a 30% deposit is required of all clients who are bidding on the phone for the first time at the Gallery. All phone bids must be registered on proxy. We will call you prior to your lot coming up.
TIPS for first time buyers
Make sure to attend a preview and an auction before you ever make a bid. That is the only way you will learn what an auction is like. you will also learn different auctioneers styles.
Bring a measuring device (ruler or tape measure) and maybe a camera with you to the preview. When you go home after the preview, you will have an image of what you hope to buy and where you want to put it.
Use the catalog -- write down your top bid for the item in your catalog. That way you will not get carried away during the fervor of the auction.
Note that there is a Buyers premium of 20% and Sales tax added to all purchases -- remember to include this in your budget. Customers who provide us with a valid resale number will not have to pay the tax, however, there is no exception to the Buyers Premium.
Example: Winning bid of $200. + 20% BP = $240. + NYC Sales Tax of $20.10 = $260.10 total.
Remember that all purchases must be removed from the gallery by the Tuesday following the sale. Please make trucking arrangements in advance, or immediately following your purchase. Tepper does not have any trucks, so we cannot make any deliveries for you.
Realize what you are buying -- a fine antique or a reproduction is generally categorized as used furniture, and is sold in an "as is" condition. There is inevitably going to be some kind of scratch or dent or repair. Prices at auction are usually well below retail values which takes into account that you may want to have some restoration work done to increase its value even more.
Auctions should be a fun experience. Tepper Galleries wants customers to be satisfied. Do not buy something unless you are absolutely happy with it. If you come to every preview, you will see different things all the time. Eventually, you are bound to find exactly the item you want, at a price you want to pay.