Buyers FAQs 

How can I find out about Bishop & Miller auction dates?

Our complete auction calendar is available online under upcoming auctions.  If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming auctions, please take the time to complete our enquiries form or contact our friendly team in the office who will be happy to help you. 

How can I find more information on the lot I am interested in? 

Pre-auction viewings are an ideal way to see, handle and gather more information about the lot you are interested in. All our auctions are on view at least two days prior to the sale and details can be found on our website. 

What if I am not able to attend a pre-auction viewing?

A condition report can be provided on the lot you are interested in if you are unable to attend pre-auction viewings. The relevant department will be pleased to give condition reports on any lot, where practical. All weights and measures given in the catalogue should be regarded as approximate. 
We provide excellent photography on the majority of items however the colours shown online are not necessarily true.

How can I place a bid in a Bishop & Miller auction?

After viewing or requesting a condition report, and deciding you would like to bid on an item, you first need to register with us. This is quick and simple process and to register you will be asked to provide your name, full address and proof of identification, either a driving license or passport.

You can place a bid in any of our specialist auctions either in person in the saleroom, booking a telephone line (subject to availability), leaving a commission bid, bidding directly through an online platform such as the-saleroom.com or auctionet.com. 

Bidding through Auctionet.com

We use the latest technology to ensure that you can bid in all of our sales from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you are in the world. Whether you are a UK-based or an international bidder, our online live bidding systems allow you to access each auction in real-time, whilst soaking up the saleroom atmosphere with live video and audio feeds. 

We operate the Auctionet bidding system; one of Europe’s leading marketplaces for auctions, enabling you to take part in the bidding from anywhere in the world. 

Our aim is to provide every client with the best experience possible for selling and buying collectables and antiques at auction.  You can browse our sales, place your bids, buy items, pay online and have your items shipped at fixed prices, all with a single login. There are no additional platform fees for bidding online in our hammer sales via the Auctionet bidding platform. A lot fee of £5 (inc. VAT) will be charged on top of the hammer price on all lots in our Timed Online sales. 

How do I sign up for an Auctionet.com account?

If you haven’t already registered for an account, you’ll need to do that first.  Go to auctionet.com or download the auctionet App. It only takes a moment and you’re ready to bid!

1. Click Sign up.
2. Complete the form.
3. Done! You are now an Auctionet.com customer.

How do I bid in a live auction with Auctionet.com?

Whether you are a UK-based or an international bidder, the Auctionet online bidding system allows you to bid live, in real-time, whilst soaking up the saleroom atmosphere with live video and audio feeds, placing your bids as the items come up.

First of all you have to be a registered customer and logged on to auctionet.com. Not registered yet? Sign up now to your free customer account.

To bid:

1. Click ‘Follow the auction and bid live’.

2. Click ‘Join the bidding’

3. Click the ‘Place bid’ button when you see the amount appear that you wish to bid and ‘confirm’ your bid. 

4. If you’re in the lead, you will be notified that ‘You are the highest bidder’.

4. If you’re outbid, the bid now button will reappear.

If you want to place a higher bid than the suggested ‘next bid’, you can enter the highest price you want to pay for the item. After that, we will automatically bid on your behalf as favourably as possible, trying to win the auction at the lowest possible amount, until it reaches your maximum bid.

Alternatively, you can place a bid on items anytime between when the sale is published online until the live auction finishes. At the end of the live auction the highest bidder wins the lot. You may also attend these sales and bid in person or leave a commission bid at the saleroom. 

How do I bid in an online sale with Auctionet.com?

These auctions have no specific sale date as they run for a set period of time, usually between 7 and 14 days.  Bidders can browse, register and place bids on items anytime between the start and end dates. You can log in and increase your bid at any time. At the end of the sale, the highest bidder wins the lot. 

To bid:

1. Browse all lots.

2. Enter the amount you wish to bid and click the ‘Place bid’ button.

4. If you’re in the lead, you will be notified that ‘You are the highest bidder’.

4. If you’re outbid, you will be notified and you can enter a higher bid.

You can follow your biddings in “My account”.

When you have won an auction, you will receive an email informing you how to pay your invoice, collect your item or order its transportation

Why do I have to register before I can attend one of your auctions? 

Registration is required for VAT and invoicing purposes.

How does the bidding process work in the auction?

The bidding process is regulated by the auctioneer and each bid normally increases by anything from £10 to £1000 depending on the starting price. The selling price is determined by the reserve and any other bids that the auctioneer may have from other potential buyers in the auction room, telephone bids, or bidding via the internet. A bid may be made at any stage if you are in the auction room by attracting the attention of the auctioneer with a hand or head signal. The auctioneer’s decision is final and is a legally binding contract.

What are the bidding increments?

Bidding increments are as follows:

£5-£100 in £5
£100-200 in £10
£200-500 in £20
£500-1000 in £50
£1000-2000 in £100
£2000-5,000 in £200
£5000-10,000 in £500

When placing absentee bids please note that your bids will be rounded to the nearest value according to the increments above.

What if I can not attend the auction in person? 

There are a few different options to bid on the day if you are unable to attend the Sale itself, including, telephone bidding and online bidding. See details below for further  information on these methods. You can also bid on saleroom.com and auctionet.com which requires a pre-registration.

For more details on the buying process with Bishop & Miller click here: http://www.bishopandmillerauctions.co.uk/buying
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Sellers FAQs

How can I sell my goods at a Bishop & Miller auction?

To sell your goods at Bishop & Miller one of our specialist staff will need to see your item. There are a number of ways in which we are able to give you a valuation:

Visit a Bishop & Miller Friday Valuation Day at either their Stowmarket, Suffolk or Glandford, Norfolk locations. Our valuers will be available between 9.30am and 3.30pm every Friday.


Bring your items into Bishop & Miller at either Stowmarket, Suffolk or Glandford, Norfolk.

If you would like to receive an expert valuation from one of our specialists in person, we offer appointments and drop-in sessions at our office in Stowmarket or Glandford. Or you can send images. Please contact our office team for more information.

Bishop & Miller offer home visits whereby one of our expert valuers will come to your home to view and estimate the value of your item/s. Please contact our office team for more information. 

What are the different types of valuation I can expect to receive from Bishop & Miller?

When you bring your item into auction with Bishop & Miller or when one of our valuer visits you to appraise your collection, there are varying types of valuation that can be done. Below is a brief explanation of valuation terms and services all of which are offered at Bishop & Miller.

Auction Valuation

An auction valuation is an estimate, usually given as a range of prices, for example £60-£100, that our specialists believe an item will make at an auction. This price is based on a range of factors such as past sale results for similar items, market trends and trade/collectors’ interest. Valuations of this type are free at Bishop & Miller.

Insurance Valuation

Bishop & Miller offers a range of services to help you value your assets so they can be insured accurately and at the correct price level ensuring peace of mind in the event of a claim. Fees apply for this service, please contact our office for more information. 

Probate Valuation

A valuation for probate usually follows the death of the owner of valuables that need to be valued for legal purposes. The values given tend to be lower than for insurance valuations and not as much detail is required. Bishop & Miller does charge for this service. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

What is a reserve?

The reserve is the minimum sale price the seller is willing to accept. Goods will not be sold below the agreed reserve. Our Bishop & Miller specialists will advise clients on appropriate reserves, and may refuse to offer any item where too high a reserve is requested. Reserves will not be accepted on items with a bottom estimate less than £100.

The auctioneers also reserve the right not to accept items which they deem to be unsuitable for auction.

How long before an auction do I need to decide to include my item?

At Bishop & Miller we generally close entries from 2-4 weeks, depending on the auction type, to allow time for the item to be catalogued and photographed.

How will I know what lot numbers my items will be?

You will receive an email from us detailing your lot information approximately 2 to 4 weeks before the auction takes place. 

How much will it cost me to sell my goods through a Bishop & Miller auction?

The following charges will apply per lot:

Our vendor’s commission is charged per lot.

The commission will be 17% + VAT, which includes the photography and the insurance of the item.

There is a Lotting Fee charge of £7.50 (+VAT) per lot for the Fine Sales, and £3 (+VAT) per lot for all other auctions.

What if my item/s do not sell at a Bishop & Miller Sale?

When an item does not sell, we advise you to contact us to discuss re-offering your goods. To re-enter your goods in the next appropriate sale, we will recommend that the estimate and reserve is reduced.

Alternatively arrangements can be made for the item to be collected. When collecting we ask that you provide proof of identification i.e pre-sales advice document, or your receipt. We can also post your goods back to you free of charge (dependent on size, weight and volume of items).

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