What are "lift out" charges in an auction?

vet8

A local hotel is auctioning off everything as it is closing and there are several thing I would like in the auction.

The catalogue says "lift out charges apply" and looking at the list almost everything has a charge, ranging from £5 to £300. The only things not in the lift out list are very portable things like ornaments and pictures. Even quite small things like chairs are charged a lift out fee.

What does this mean? The auction details say you are responsible for removing things yourself so this is not a charge for the auctioneers to help you load stuff. On some of the things I would like to bid for the lift out charge will double what I want to pay. What is it and who gets the money, the auctioneer or the hotel owner?

babyemily

As far as I am aware its the cost of someone lifting the item to your car - or at least thats what I have always been told.
I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon with the correct answer x

vet8

I thought that initially, but the catalogue specifically states that you have to remove all items yourself at your own expense and effort.

RFW

I've been in the auction business for a long (long!) time, it isn't a term I'm familiar with.
Is it a reputable auctioneer? Do they have their own premises? Are they long established?

It could quite easily be genuine but without knowing too much it sounds a bit odd if they are making an unknown surcharge on lots sold.

As a guess I'd say they charge for getting the items to a loading bay and you move them yourself from there.

I've known auctions to charge for using their forklift or for insurance for their staff to handle it.

freddysmith

I have found a reference to lift-out charges here

http://www.clarke-fussells.co.uk/documents/lift-out-charges-and-buyer-to-remove-items-pdf

It seems to relate to auctions eg

NO LOTS WILL BE RELEASED WHILST THE SALE IS IN PROGRESS.

LIFT OUT CHARGES APPLY TO ITEMS IN THIS SALE AND ARE SHOWN AGAINST EACH LOT DESCRIPTION. THESE CHARGES ARE IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNT BID FOR THE LOT AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO BUYERS PREMIUM AND VAT. THE LIFT OUT CHARGE COVERS THE COST OF MOVING THE LOT FROM WITHIN THE PREMISES TO YOUR TRANSPORT BY OUR STAFF.

WHERE NO LIFT OUT CHARGE IS SHOWN, REMOVAL OF THE LOT(S) IS DOWN TO THE PURCHASER WHO MUST CARRY OUT THIS EXERCISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR CONDITIONS OF SALE.

RFW

freddysmith wrote: »

THE LIFT OUT CHARGE COVERS THE COST OF MOVING THE LOT FROM WITHIN THE PREMISES TO YOUR TRANSPORT BY OUR STAFF.

Surprisingly a lot of auction houses treat their customers quite badly, I could never understand why a lot go for strict and often ridiculous rules and charges. Having said that, I never made my fortune in the auction trade so I'm probably wrong, too nice for my own good:cool:

vet8

Thanks for the answers. The firm is ProAuction who seem to do loads of auctions.

If the lift out fee is liable to buyer's premium and VAT as well that really increase the cost of the bids. I may have to think again about some of the things I wanted to bid on.