Bidders
Bidding at Best Model Toys
Our auctions are online only — there are no room bidders.
Depending on the auction format, bidding takes place through:
Live auctions are broadcast simultaneously on both bidding platforms. Timed auctions are normally hosted on a single platform.
Buyer Fees
Our Buyer’s Premium is:
22% + VAT = 26.4% including VAT
A separate bidding platform fee will also apply.
EasyLiveAuction.com:
- £3 registration fee and no additional bidding commission, or
- Free registration 3.6% platform premium
the-salesroom.com
- 6% platform premium
All fees shown above are inclusive of VAT.
Platform charges can change, so please check the fee shown when registering for an auction.
How to Bid
1. Browse the Catalogue
Browse the auction catalogue on your preferred bidding platform.
Take time to look through the lots that interest you. Each catalogue entry includes multiple photographs together with a description, condition information and weight where applicable.
2. Register for the Auction
Before you can bid, you must register for the auction through your chosen bidding platform.
Once registered, you will be allocated a bidder or paddle number.
Registration can usually be completed well before auction day, so we recommend doing this in advance rather than leaving it until the auction has started.
3. Research the Lots You Want
Make a note of the Lots that interest you.
Read the description carefully, study all the photographs and check the condition information.
Decide in advance what you are prepared to pay.
Remember that the Buyer’s Premium and any bidding platform premium are added to the Hammer Price.
Please bid responsibly
Only bid if you are able to pay for your purchases within 7 days of the auction.
Do not bid beyond what you can comfortably afford and do not put yourself into debt to purchase at auction.
Can’t Join Us Live?
4A. Leave a Pre-Auction Bid
You can place a confidential maximum bid before the auction.
The bidding system will bid automatically on your behalf, only increasing your bid when necessary up to the maximum amount you have entered.
If another bidder exceeds your current bid before auction day, the platform may notify you so that you can decide whether you wish to increase your maximum.
You do not need to watch the live auction if you have already entered a maximum bid.
Auction Day
4B. Join the Live Auction
Log in to your chosen bidding platform and select Join Auction.
If you are already registered, you are ready to bid. If not, you will need to complete registration before bidding.
For our live auctions you will be able to see and hear the auctioneer.
We normally have the live broadcast running at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start, giving you time to check your sound.
You do not need to watch the whole auction.
We typically sell approximately 60–70 Lots per hour, so you can estimate roughly when your chosen lots are likely to come up.
We recommend joining earlier than your estimated Lot time — auctions can sometimes progress more quickly than expected.
5. Bid
Bid on the Lots that interest you, but keep your pre-set maximum in mind.
Live auctions can be exciting and it is very easy to get carried away.
Always remember that the Buyer’s Premium and bidding platform fee are added to the Hammer Price.
Once the auctioneer’s hammer falls, the successful bid creates a binding contract to purchase the lot.
After the Auction
6. Receive Your Invoice
Successful bidders will normally receive an invoice within approximately two hours of the end of the auction.
If you do not see it, please check your Junk or Spam folder.
Invoices are normally sent from:
mail@mail.liveauctionservices.com
7. Pay for Your Lots
Your invoice contains a link allowing you to view the Lots you have won and make payment.
Payment can be made by:
Debit Card or Bank Transfer
If paying by bank transfer, please use the payment reference shown on your invoice.
Bank transfer payments may take slightly longer to reconcile because they must be matched manually to your bidder account.
All auction purchases must be paid for within 7 days of the auction date.
8. Collection or Shipping
Once your payment has been received and reconciled, you can choose either:
Collect from Horsham, West Sussex
Book a collection appointment through our online calendar.
Collections are normally available the next day after an Auction, even on a Saturday & Sunday for approximately 10 days afterwards.
Request Shipping:
Use the link in your email to request a shipping quotation.
We will send you a separate shipping invoice. Once this is paid, your Lots will be carefully packed and dispatched.
We operate our own in-house packing and shipping service.
Parcels are shipped at the buyer’s risk and are insured against loss, but not against breakage.
For particularly fragile items, we recommend collection whenever possible.
Where a lot is particularly heavy or unsuitable for normal shipping, this will normally be stated in the catalogue description.
9. Tracking Your Parcel
Once your parcel has been dispatched, you will receive an email containing the courier tracking information.
DPD is our principal shipping partner; we can also use Royal Mail.
UK deliveries will normally arrive within approximately 48 hours of dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Buyer’s Premium?
The Buyer’s Premium is the commission added by Best Model Toys to the Hammer Price.
Our Buyer’s Premium is:
22% + VAT = 26.4% including VAT
What is the Bidding Platform Premium?
This is the fee charged by the online bidding platform.
At the time of writing:
Easy Live Auction: 3.6% including VAT, or 0% if you select the £3 registration option for eligible live auctions.
The Saleroom: 6% including VAT.
Always check the current platform fee when registering.
Do you recommend one bidding platform over another?
No.
We receive successful bids through both platforms and do not prioritise one over the other.
Occasionally identical bids may arrive from both platforms at virtually the same time. Where this happens, the auctioneer must accept one of them first, although a live bidder will normally have the opportunity to counter-bid.
Can I view Lots before the auction?
Yes.
We normally schedule one or two viewing days before an auction.
Check the individual auction details for dates and contact us to make an appointment.
If possible, please let us know which lot numbers you are interested in before visiting.
We take multiple photographs of our lots to help online bidders assess them, but you are very welcome to inspect items personally.
Can I place a commission bid directly with Best Model Toys?
Yes.
If you prefer not to bid through one of the online platforms, you may be able to leave a commission bid directly with us.
Use the Get in Touch form and select Commission Bid.
Commission bids must normally be arranged at least 24 hours before the auction.
We may request a deposit and will need to verify your contact details.
Can I bid by telephone?
No.
As a small auction house we do not currently have sufficient staff available to operate a telephone bidding service.
You can instead leave a pre-auction maximum bid or bid online during the live auction.
What are the payment terms?
Payment is required within 7 days of the auction date.
How much does shipping cost?
Our website contains a shipping price guide.
Most catalogue lots also show an approximate weight in grams.
This allows you to estimate likely shipping costs before bidding.
Please remember that the catalogue weight normally excludes packing materials, so weights should be treated as a guide rather than the final packed weight.
What happens if I don’t pay for a winning Lot?
When the hammer falls, the successful bidder enters into a binding contract to purchase the Lot.
Failure to pay may result in:
- Your bidding account being blocked from future Best Model Toys auctions
- Restrictions being placed on your account by bidding platforms
- Difficulty registering for auctions with other auction houses
- Recovery action being taken for the outstanding amount
Please only bid when you are able to pay for your purchases within the required period.
Can I arrange my own courier?
Yes.
We are happy to release paid Lots to a courier arranged by you.
Please let us know who will be collecting and arrange an approximate collection date and time with us. If the items require packing for shipping, then we can quote you for that service.