Buyers Conditions of Sale

1.             DEFINITIONS

1.1          In these conditions the following meanings unless inconsistent with the context:

“Auctioneers” means Cheffins of the Saleground, Sutton, Ely, Cambs, CB6 2QT.

“Commission” means the commission charged on the sale of Lots in accordance with clause 2 below.

“Conditions” means the standard terms and conditions of business set out in this document.

“Lots” means all machinery and all other items sold or intended to be sold in accordance with these conditions.

“Purchaser” means a person, firm or company who purchases Lots.

“Vendor” means any person, firm or company who puts forward Lots intended to be sold at the sale.

“Sale” means a sale of Lots by auction from time to time organised by the Auctioneers.

“Sale Day” means the day fixed by the Auctioneers for an auction and where the context so requires means the day fixed for the auction in which a particular Lot is entered.

“Saleground” means The Saleground, Sutton, Ely, Cambs, CB6 2QT or the premises upon which the lots are located.

“Reserve Price” means the minimum price fixed by either the Auctioneers or the Vendor at which Lots are to be sold at the Sale.

1.2      Except where the context otherwise requires words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa; words denoting one gender include all genders; words denoting persons include corporations and vice versa.

2.           STATUS OF CONDITIONS OF SALE

2.1         Any person attending the Sale is deemed  that they have read and understood these Conditions and shall make any bid on the basis of these Conditions.

2.2         The Auctioneers may supplement or supersede these Conditions in whole or part with special conditions applicable to a specific Sale or Lot which will be announced at the time of Sale

2.3         No employee or agent of the Auctioneers has any authority to vary these Condition.

3.          ENTRY TO THE SALEGROUND

3.1        Any person entering the Saleground does so at their own risk

3.2        Any person entering the Saleground must comply with the requirements of all health and safety notices

3.3        The Auctioneers reserve the right to refuse admission to any person or entry of any Lot(s) into the Saleground without giving reason.       

4.             VALUE ADDED TAX ON PURCHASE PRICE

4.1          VAT at the standard rate will be added to the purchase price of all Lots.  The only exceptions to this will be the case of “zero rated” or “exempt” Lots.  The Auctioneers will state at the time of Sale if any Lots fall within these exceptions.

4.2.1       In the case of overseas Purchasers from EC Countries, they will be required to supply the Auctioneers with their VAT/FISCAL NUMBER AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION REQUESTED (i.e. copy of VAT registration certificate) in order that the items may be invoiced at zero rate for VAT purposes.  Where THIS INFORMATION IS NOT MADE AVAILABLE or where the Purchaser is not VAT registered, VAT at the standard rate will be charged in addition to the purchase price of all relevant Lots.  THIS AMOUNT WILL NOT BE RECOVERABLE.  It is the responsibility of overseas purchasers from EC countries to ensure that they or their haulier complete and sign a “COLLECTION CERTIFICATE” at the Auctioneers office on collection of goods purchased.  Failure to do so will result in VAT becoming payable at the standard UK rate and this VAT will NOT BE RECOVERABLE.

4.2.2       In the case of overseas Purchasers from Non EC countries, they will be required to pay a VAT deposit equivalent to the standard UK rate of VAT.  Such amount will be refunded to the Overseas Purchaser if the Auctioneers receive within three months of “the time of supply” a satisfactory Bill of Lading or Certificate of Shipment as proof of shipment of the Lots outside the EC, failing which the VAT deposit will be paid over to Customs & Excise as VAT.

5.             RESERVE PRICE AND BIDDING

5.1          The Auctioneers and/or the Vendor reserve the right to fix a Reserve Price for any Lot and withdraw that lot in the event that the highest bid does not meet the reserve.

5.2          The Vendor may bid for any Lot  either personally or through the Auctioneers or through any other person as many times as the Vendor thinks fit and may withdraw any Lot at any time before the sale of such Lot.

5.3          The Auctioneers may without giving any reason refuse to accept bidding of any person.  In the case of a dispute as to any bid, the auctioneers may forthwith determine the dispute or put up the Lot again at the last undisputed bid or withdraw the Lot.

5.4          No person may advance less at a bid than a sum to be named from time to time by the Auctioneers nor be allowed to retract a bid.

5.5          Bids shall be made exclusive of any VAT or Service Charge/Buyers Premium which may apply

6.             AUCTIONEERS AS AGENT FOR VENDOR

6.1          The parties to the contract of sale are the Vendor and Purchaser

6.2          The Auctioneers sell as Agent for the Vendor and as such are not responsible for any default by the Vendor or Purchaser.

6.3          In the event that a purchaser fails to pay the purchase price for the Lot in accordance with these Conditions and the Auctioneers have previously advanced to the Vendor of such Lot an amount representing such purchase price the Vendor shall forthwith at the request of the Auctioneers assign all and any of his rights against the Purchaser in respect of the unpaid purchase price to the Auctioneers and shall execute such documents as may be required by the Auctioneers to give effect to such assignment and further, shall give reasonable co-operation to the Auctioneers in any action, claim or proceeding brought or threatened by the Auctioneers against the Purchaser.

7.             REMOVAL OF LOTS FROM SALEGROUND

7.1          All Lots whether sold or unsold may not be removed from the Saleground without a pass for the removal of Lots.  Passes can be obtained from the Auctioneers office.  All Lots must be checked out by the Security Staff.

7.2          All Lots purchased must be cleared from the Saleground within 7 days of the date of the Sale or as specified unless alternative arrangements have been made with the auctioneers

7.3          Any Lot which (without the express written consent of the Auctioneers) has not been collected within the time period specified will be removed and the cost of removal will be the responsibility of the purchaser. If the lot remains unpaid for it will be deemed to be abandoned and the auctioneers will be entitled to dispose of such abandoned Lots at their unfettered discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, any monies arising from such disposal(s) will be paid to and retained by the Auctioneers.

8.             DETAILS OF PURCHASERS

                All Purchasers are required to register before the auction at the Auctioneers Office or via the on-line portal as required by the operators, whether or not the Lots which they purchase are to be removed on the day of the Sale.

9.             EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

9.1          The Auctioneers shall not be liable for any expense, loss, claim or proceedings in any respect of any loss or damage whatsoever to any property real or personal (including all Lots which remain at the Vendor’s risk until risk passes to the Purchaser in accordance with clause 18.3 below) whether incurred before, during or after the Sale.

9.2          The Auctioneers shall not be liable for any expense, loss, claim or proceedings in respect of personal injury to or death of any person arising out of or in the course of or caused by the Sale, except to the extent that the same is due to the negligence of the Auctioneers, their servants or agents.

10.          PAYMENT

10.1        All Lots must be paid on the day of the Sale by the Purchaser. All lots purchased on-line  through bid-spotter or i-bidder.com must be paid within 48 hours of receipt of our invoice.

10.2        As provided by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, the Auctioneers reserve the right to charge the Purchaser(s) interest at 8% above the prevailing base rate set at that time by the Bank of England for any unpaid account.

10.3        If an account remains unpaid and legal action is taken the auctioneers reserve the right to demand in full from the purchaser all legal and professional fees owing from such action.

11.          INSPECTION OF GOODS

                All Lots are sold with all faults and imperfections and errors of description.  Purchasers should satisfy themselves prior to the sale of the Lots as to the condition of each Lot and should exercise and rely on their own judgement as to whether the Lot accords with its description. On-line and commission bidders are deemed to have physically inspected the lots.  Neither the Auctioneers, their servants or agents are responsible for errors of description or for the genuineness or authenticity of any Lot.  No warranty is given by the Auctioneers, their servants or agents or by any Vendor to any Purchaser in respect of any Lot and any express or implied conditions or warranties are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

12.          AUCTIONEERS’ RIGHT TO ANNUL SALES

                In the event of any dispute or refusal to pay or of non-payment of the part of the Purchaser, the Auctioneers may, entirely at their discretion, annul and cancel the sale of such Lot or Lots.

13.          COMPLIANCE WITH ROAD TRAFFIC ACTS

                The Purchaser of any vehicle or trailer is responsible for complying with all legal requirements as to the construction and the use of such vehicle or trailer and for obtaining all certificates, permits or other authorisations necessary before such vehicle or trailer can be used on the road.

14.          HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974 AND ALL OTHER ACTS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO FARM SAFETY

14.1        The Purchaser of any Lot(s) is responsible for complying with all legal requirements as to the safe use of Lot(s) purchased at the Sale and shall ensure compliance with all relevant legislation relating to the safe use of Lot(s).

14.2        The Auctioneers description and knowledge of the Lot(s) is initially dependant on the information provided by the Vendor. The Auctioneer does not carry out exhaustive due diligence on each Lot(s). The information supplied about the Lot(s) is not a representation of fact but a statement of opinion on the basis of the evidence reasonably available. Purchasers acknowledge these points and accept responsibility for carrying out inspections and investigations to satisfy themselves as to the Lot(s) in which they may be interested

14.3       Where the Vendor has declared any health and safety issues regarding a Lot or the Auctioneers have become aware of any such issues, details of the matter will be given out at the time of sale by the Auctioneer

14.4        It will be the Purchasers responsibility to satisfy themselves as to the health and safety matters. Bidders including the Purchaser acknowledge that Lots have generally been used and many are of an age and type which means they are not in perfect working condition. As such they may not comply with current health and safety legislation and may have faults not expressly referred to in the catalogue or the other information that may be available on individual Lots from the Auctioneers.

14.5       The Purchaser must satisfy himself prior to bidding for any Lot as to its condition and should exercise and rely on his own judgement as to whether the Lot accords with its description. The Auctioneers shall have no liability for the accuracy of the description of any Lot. Unless otherwise stated, no warranty is given by the Auctioneers to the Purchaser in respect of any Lot and any express or implied conditions or warranties are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. It is the Purchasers responsibility to check the Lot and ensure that its subsequent use is compliant and that identified health and safety concerns are rectified.

15.          TRADES DESCRIPTION ACT 1968

                The Vendor is reminded that under the terms of the Trade Description Act 1968 the Vendor of any Lots to which a false description is applied may be guilty of a criminal offence punishable by fine or imprisonment.

16.          RESERVATION OF TITLE

16.1        If the Auctioneers allow the Purchaser to remove the Lot from the Saleground before the Purchaser has made full payment for the Lot then title to the Lot shall remain vested in the Vendor.

16.2        If the Auctioneers pay the Vendor the price of the Lot before the purchaser has paid the price to the Auctioneers, title to the Lot shall pass to the Auctioneers and shall remain with the Auctioneers until full payment has been made by t he Purchaser to the Auctioneers, when title shall pass to the Purchaser.

16.3        Notwithstanding that the title has not passed to the Purchaser, the Purchaser will be solely responsible for the lots standing in the yard immediately upon sale (the fall of the hammer).

16.4        The Purchaser shall until payment has been made in full keep the Lot in good marketable condition and readily identified and shall indemnify the Vendor or the Auctioneers as the case may be for any damage.

16.5        In the event of any sale by the Purchaser of a Lot before full payment has been made the Purchaser shall hold the proceeds of such sale on trust for the Vendor or the Auctioneer (as the case may be) and shall pay such proceeds into a separate identifiable bank account.

16.6        At the time before the title to the Lot has passed to the Purchaser, the Vendors or the Auctioneers (as the case may be) including the Auctioneers acting as agents for the Vendor, shall have the right to enter upon the Purchasers property for the purposes of recovering the Lot.

17.          GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

                For the avoidance of doubt all contracts entered into between the Purchaser and Vendor and between either of them and the Auctioneers on the basis of these standard terms and condition of business are governed by the laws of England and Wales and the parties hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

CHEFFINS Auctioneers April 2014