Sales are governed by Articles L312-4 of the French Code of Commerce.
SVV Thierry de Maigret, as Sales Operator, shall serve as the Seller’s
agent, and all relations with bidding parties shall take place as described
in the present Terms of Sale.
Goods put up for auction: The details found in the Catalogue are
legally binding upon the Auction House and Experts assisting it, taking
into account any and all corrections announced upon submission of the
object and subsequently listed in the Record of Sale. Lining, parquet
work and sheathing shall be considered a preventive measure, and not a
defect; size, weight and estimated value shall be determined for guidance
purposes only. Prior exhibition of the item enables potential buyers
to form their own judgment of the condition of the objects put up for
sale. Consequently, no claims shall be considered once a lot has been
sold. The SVV remains at the buyers’ disposal for any information
required and invites all interested parties to seek information about
the lots.
Bidding: The Buyer is defined as the highest and final bidder, and
will be required to provide name, address, proof of identity and bank
details. All buyers are assumed to be bidding on their own behalf and
shall hold sole responsibility for their bidding. Should a buyer bid on
behalf of a third-party, the buyer shall provide the identity of the latter
beforehand, so that the invoice can be correctly drawn up. No changes
will be accepted after the sale. Should the auctioneer declare double
bidding to have occurred, the lot shall be immediately put up for repeat
sale, and all interested parties will be invited to take part in the bidding.
The auctioneer and experts reserve the right, in the interest of the sale,
to combine, split or remove any lot from the sale.
Purchase Orders: The Auction House may fulfil free of charge any
purchase order submitted in writing, by Internet or by telephone.
Buyers wishing to proceed in this manner may send in their request
in writing, 24 hours prior to the date of sale, by completing the
form provided along with a check or bank details. SVV Thierry de
MAIGRET will act on behalf of the bidding party, in accordance with
the instructions given in the form, in an effort to purchase the relevant
lot at the lowest possible price, not exceeding the stated maximum
figure. Should an equivalent bid be submitted in the room on the day of
auction, the bidding party present shall be given priority.
Telephone bidding shall be accepted where the lowest estimated price
of the lot is greater than €300. It is recommended that telephone bidders
provide a back-up purchase order which we will be able to execute on
your behalf, should we be unable to reach you. The Auction House
may not be held responsible for having failed to execute a purchase
order due to error, omission or dysfunction in telephone/Internet/
Drouot Live services, or for any other reason.
Payment of Agreed Price: Payment shall be made in Euros, immediately
after the sale. The successful bidder shall, furthermore, pay sales taxes
and fees in addition to the hammer price, amounting to 28.8% inclusive
of tax (22% before tax + 20% VAT) and 22.15% inclusive of tax on
books (21% before tax + 5.5% VAT). No lots shall be delivered to
successful bidders until the amounts due are paid in full.
Methods of payment:
- by check, along with valid personal ID, whereby due settlement
and transfer property will be subject to actual collection of the noncertified
check. Checks drawn on foreign banks shall be subject to prior
approval by the Auction House. Bidders are advised to secure, prior
to sale, a letter of credit from their bank in an amount close to their
intended highest bid and to provide it to the Auction House
- in cash, not to exceed, taxes and fees included, €3,000 where the
bidder is a private individual or professional entity residing in France,
and €15,000 where the bidder is a private individual residing abroad,
subject to proof of identity, proof of origin of funds, and statement of
declaration of the relevant amount to the Customs Authorities, further
to Decree 2010 - 662 dated 16 June 2010.
- by bank transfer (list order number)
- by Visa or MasterCard
VAT: Buyers not residing in the European Union may seek
reimbursement of the VAT included in the margin by sending the export
customs document (copy 3) to SVV, duly stamped by the Customs
Authorities, within two months following the sale. No tax-exclusive
sales document will be drawn up without official proof of export, as the
intra-Community VAT number does not constitute adequate proof.
Default of Payment: Payment by over-drafted checks or failure to
pay shall not incur the responsibility of the Auction House and,
consequently, releases it from the obligation to pay the Seller. In the
event of failure to pay within one month of being served official notice
by certified letter with proof of receipt at the addressee’s expense, and
in the event of failure to pay the amount due, the Buyer shall be charged
an additional fee of 10% of the final bidding price to cover collection
fees, amounting to no less than €300.
Enforcement of this clause shall neither: preclude the allocation of
damages or compensation; come at the expense of required proceedings;
nor pre-determine possible implementation of the “irresponsible
bidding” proceedings.
Irresponsible bidding: in the event of default of payment on the part
of the successful bidder, the item shall be put up for sale at the request
of the Seller, on the grounds of irresponsible bidding on the part of the
defaulting bidder. Should the Seller fail to make a request to this effect
within one month of the sale’s closing, the said sale shall be cancelled
by right of law, without prejudice to damages. Interest payable by the
defaulting bidder.
Collection of property: No lot may be collected until the related
invoice has been paid in full. In the event of payment of non-certified
check, collection of property may be delayed until actual collection.
Bulky items sold and not collected from Drouot premises by 10 AM
on the day following sale will be placed in the Hôtel Drouot warehouse
and remain entirely the responsibility of the successful bidder. Storage
fees payable by the latter shall be paid to the Hôtel Drouot warehouse
before release of the lots and upon presentation of proof of payment.
Small objects may be kept at the offices for 15 days following sale.
Beyond this point, €3 will be charged per day and per item for storage.
Export of Lots: Export of lots may be subject to approval, subject to
the Buyer’s responsibility. Neither the approval, denial of approval or
approval application time may be invoked as grounds for change in
payment deadline or cancellation of sale.
Pre-Emptive Rights: The French Government holds pre-emptive
rights on the works sold, by declaration immediately upon the
conclusion of sale, to the auctioneer. It may confirm exercise of this
right within a period of 15 days following the sale, in which case it
