NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers Inc. (“Dupuis”) strives for accuracy in describing the lots offered for sale. All descriptions in the catalogue along with any saleroom announcements are our opinion only—to the best of our knowledge. Prospective buyers should inspect lots prior to bidding. We make no warranties beyond our ‘LIMITED WARRANTY’ as to authenticity, maker’s marks, signatures, age, condition, quality, materials, gems, weights, measurements, origin, etc. By bidding in this auction, you accept that you are bound by these ‘Terms and Conditions of Sale.’
BUYER’S PREMIUM
Each lot is subject to a buyer’s premium of 25% up to and including $100,000 and 20% on the amount in excess of $100,000. The total purchase price is the aggregate of the bid price plus the buyer’s premium.
APPLICABLE TAX
Unless exempted by law, the buyer is required to pay Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on the total purchase price including the buyer’s premium.
This tax does not apply to purchases being shipped to destinations outside Canada.
AS IS
As most jewellery sold at auction shows signs of previous wear and may have been repaired or altered, all lots are sold on an “AS IS” basis. The catalogue descriptions reflect our opinion only, to the best of our knowledge and may not necessarily be complete. We make no warranties whatsoever as to the correctness of any information provided (including weights, metals, etc.), either expressed or implied and Dupuis disclaims responsibility for same. Illustrations in the catalogue and images on our website are for identification only and not intended to represent the actual colour or condition of items offered.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Notwithstanding the preceding, if within twenty-one (21) days after the sale, the purchaser gives notice that the lot has been misrepresented, and within three (3) days thereafter the said lot is returned in the same condition as at the time of sale and satisfies Dupuis that, considered in light of the catalogue description and any amendments thereto, the lot is not as described, then the sale may be rescinded and the purchase price refunded at the sole discretion of Dupuis.
INSPECTION OF LOTS
A Preview is held to facilitate your personal inspection of lots. Our jewellery specialists and helpful staff are on hand to assist prospective buyers. For your convenience, appropriate lighting and mirrors are available. In advance of the exhibition, our specialists prepare extra information about the condition and quality of each lot. However, it is the responsibility of prospective buyers to inspect each lot upon which they intend to bid and rely on their own judgment or that of independent advisers.
WATCHES
All watches should be viewed personally by prospective buyers to assess the condition. Virtually all watches have been repaired in the normal course of wearing and may contain replacement parts. Watch cases and bracelets may contain after-market diamonds. All watches are sold “AS IS”.
DIAMONDS AND COLOURED STONES
Prospective buyers are advised that coloured gemstones and diamonds may be enhanced by a variety of means to improve their clarity or colour. Certain treatments are common practices within the jewellery industry. For example, heating of coloured gemstones is an accepted method of enhancement and is generally considered to be permanent under stable circumstances. Methods of enhancement that may be used on various gemstones include: dyeing, laser drilling, irradiating, bleaching, oiling, filling, coating, faceting and polishing. Unless the catalogue description specifically states that the gemstone is of natural colour or clarity, prospective bidders should assume that some form of treatment may have been used and the enhancement may not be permanent.
CONDITION REPORTS
Dupuis catalogue descriptions do not make reference to condition or quality of lots. As a service to our clients, we are pleased to provide condition reports upon request. Such reports reflect our opinion only, to the best of our knowledge, and may not necessarily be complete. For more information on specific lots, please contact our jewellery specialists.
ESTIMATES
The estimate below each description is the opinion of our jewellery specialists. Where possible, these are based on the prices realized for similar items at past auctions. Estimates are not definitive and should not be relied upon as representations or predictions of actual selling prices.
REGISTRATION
All bidders are required to pre-register. Registrants attending the auction will be provided with a numbered paddle for bidding purposes. Registrants are responsible for payment of purchases resulting from all successful bids acknowledged to their paddle number. Transfer of purchases to another person or paddle is not permitted. Lost paddles must be reported immediately.
ABSENTEE BIDDING
If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid by proxy, please use the form at the back of the catalogue. If you have not purchased in our auctions within the past year, please supply references.
Requests for absentee bidding and/or telephone bidding should be received at least 24 hours prior to the start of the sale. When identical bids are received, the first one acknowledged by the auctioneer will take precedence. Telephone bidding is subject to availability of lines during the auction. It is strongly recommended that bids be placed early. Dupuis offers these bidding alternatives as a convenience to prospective buyers and will not be held responsible for errors or failures in executing such bids.
ONLINE BIDDING
Dupuis Live allows you to see and hear the auctioneer in real time and was developed to make your auction purchasing even more convenient. The registration deadline is five (5) days before the auction. For more information please visit our website at dupuis.ca.
AUCTION PROCESS
The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the event of any dispute during the sale, the auctioneer may, at his sole discretion, determine the successful bidder or re-offer the lot. The auctioneer’s decision is final. If your bid is successful your paddle number will be acknowledged and recorded by the auctioneer.
The auctioneer reserves the right to refuse any bid or bidder and to advance the bidding increments at his absolute discretion. Each lot offered for sale may be subject to a protective reserve as set by the consignor or auctioneer. The auctioneer may bid, or direct an employee to bid on the consignor’s behalf, on any lot subject to a reserve. Lots are sold at an average pace of 90 lots per hour and the standard bidding increments are as follows:
$ 0 to $ 500
by $ 25
$ 500 to $ 1,000
by $ 50
$ 1,000 to $ 2,000
by $ 100
$ 2,000 to $ 5,000
by $ 200
$ 5,000 to $ 10,000
by $ 500
$ 10,000 to $ 20,000
by $ 1,000
$ 20,000 to $ 50,000
by $ 2,000
$ 50,000 to $ 100,000
by $ 5,000
$ 100,000 to $ 200,000
by $ 10,000
$ 200,000 to $ 500,000
by $ 20,000
CURRENCY OF SALE
Bidding is in Canadian Dollars. However, as a convenience to international bidders, Dupuis provides approximate estimates in other currencies. It is the responsibility of prospective buyers to independently ascertain the exchange rate of their respective currencies.
PAYMENT
Purchases are due and payable in full within five (5) business days after the auction. A 2% surcharge is applicable on overdue payments.
In the event of failure to pay within the aforementioned period, Dupuis, without limitation of the rights of the consignor against the purchaser, may resell the lot(s). In such case the original purchaser will be held responsible to Dupuis and the consignor for any deficiency in price, collection costs, storage fees and the overdue payment fees.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
Payment may be made by wire transfer, certified cheque, money order or bank draft. Personal or company cheques may be accepted at Dupuis’ sole discretion. Until approved, purchases may not be removed from Dupuis premises before clearance of cheque. Cash payment is limited to amounts below $10,000. Payment by VISA or MasterCard may be accepted only in person to a maximum of $50,000.
PICKUP OF JEWELLERY
The schedule for clearance of purchases at Dupuis’ offices at 900-1200 Bay Street, is from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, beginning the first business day after the auction.
SHIPPING AND EXPORT
As a convenience to purchasers and after full payment has been made, we can arrange to have the property packaged and shipped at the purchaser’s request and expense. We will act in accordance with the written instructions you provide. The costs for insured shipments vary depending on destination. All items for shipment are carefully packaged; however, Dupuis is not responsible for any loss or damage, once it has been shipped.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
It is the responsibility of prospective buyers to check with their own government in regard to any import restrictions. Some examples are as follows: materials such as ivory, tortoiseshell and coral; watches to the U.S. such as Rolex, Piaget, Corum and Franck Muller; certain luxury watches to other countries; rubies and jadeite of Burmese (Myanmar) origin being imported into the U.S.
In accordance with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) there is no duty on jewels that have been manufactured in North America when shipped to U.S. or Mexico.
