FAQ

By participating in Hilditch Group’s auctions you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions.

What are the different types of auctions?

Webcast Auction – these auctions are conducted live, usually from our Malmesbury salerooms and you can either leave a commission bid prior to the sale, or bid in real-time online with a live audio and video feed of the auctioneer. Please note that due to COVID-19 we are closed for viewing and sale day.  You can bid online by visiting the Auction Sales pages. For these auctions you will need to register an account on our webcast system HERE in addition to your Hilditch bidding account.

Timed Online Auction – all bidding takes place online and you can bid 24/7 until the auction finishes – just visit the Auction Sales pages.

How do I take part in the auctions?

You can bid online using the Hilditch ‘Bid Now’ App, or via the website. You must bid via live webcast. Please note that as of November 2020, we are closed for vewing and sale day until further notice.

To bid online in timed online auctions you need to register for an account with us – you can do this ‘here’. Once your account is authorised you will be able to bid online - if your account is not authorised please contact us to discuss this. For webcast bidding a separate registration is needed on our webcast platform HERE.

How do I sell through Hilditch?

We offer vendors a specialist service tailored to their needs, maximising the value of their asset.

We provide a global medical device remarketing service to our vendors serving the international medical market, and offer a complete service to the hotel and licensed trade for the valuation and disposal of all types of catering and hospitality equipment.

We understand that each vendor sale can be unique and we can advise based on your own circumstances. For details of how we could help you sell your assets, please contact us.

How often are auctions held?

Auctions are held regularly and dates are advertised on our website ‘here’.

Medical – we currently hold one large monthly webcast auction over 3 days, as well as one large timed online auction.  In addition, we have a number of specialist timed online auctions throughout the month. We generally hold around 30 auctions a month.

Catering – we currently hold large webcast auctions on an ad hoc basis and we may also have timed online auctions from time to time.

Can I be notified of upcoming auctions?

Yes, just register your interest here and we will send you sale alerts when new sales are published relating to your areas of interest.

Is there a cost to participate in the auction?

Live Auction Sales - VAT will be charged on the hammer price (if applicable) plus 22.5% buyer’s premium plus VAT. 

Timed Online Auctions - As with a normal auction you will be charged VAT on the hammer (bidding) price if VAT is applicable (indicated by the VAT icon next to the Lot Name) and 22.5% buyer's premium plus VAT on this premium.

Can I leave a bid if I cannot attend the sale?

Yes, you can.

Webcast Auctions – you can either leave a commission bid prior to the sale starting through the website, or bid live online via the webcast sale.

Timed Online Auctions – all bidding takes place online.

How do I increase my bidding / credit limit?

All buyers have a £1,000 / €1,000 credit limit when first bidding with us. If you wish to have a higher limit than this you must contact the office to request this. We reserve the right to request a deposit, paid by Bank Transfer, before raising your bidding limit. Your bids may not be accepted if you have not arranged a higher bidding limit prior to bidding over £1,000.

Please note – Bidding Limits relate to total bids placed for all current sales, regardless of whether or not you are the highest bidder. The total amount of bids is worked out by adding up the highest of all your Max Bids and Bids for each lot. Once a finished sale has been processed by our admin team, the amount you bid in that sale will be freed up again for you to bid in other sales.

For example: if you bid £500 on a Lot, you will have used £500 of your £1,000 limit, leaving you £500 to purchase other Lots.

If you think you may require a higher limit please contact our office - you will be asked for a refundable deposit of £1,000 in order to increase this limit.

Regular Buyer Status: After you have successfully purchased and paid for items from several sales you may request that the limit be removed.

How do I find out if my bids have been successful?

Webcast Auctions – if attending in person or bidding online the Auctioneer will let you know if you are the successful bidder immediately by calling out your bidder number. If you leave a commission bid with us and you are successful with the bid you will be sent an invoice up to 24 hours after the auction.

Timed Online Auctions – we will confirm your successful bid by sending you an invoice shortly following the sale.

Can I see what items sold for?

No, we don’t display the selling price for lots.

How do I pay for my goods?

Payment instructions are on each invoice, and all invoices need to be paid within 5 days of the sale. We accept bank transfer or card payment. Card payment taken over the phone is limited to £1500/€1500.

How and when do I collect my goods?

The sale location is listed in the sale details. Some items are located offsite and need to be collected from there. You can either collect your items from the sale location in person or arrange for a transport company to collect the goods on your behalf.

The Hilditch Group's offices are open between 8.30am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, collections can be made between these times, however, we ask that you arrive by 3pm at the latest as picking up equipment will take time. The Hilditch Group reserves the right to refuse pick up for arrivals after 3pm.

Items must be collected within five working days of the sale, or as per sale terms - storage charges will apply after this date. Please take advice from our saleroom staff before collecting your equipment to ensure that the vehicle is suitable for the equipment being collected. We reserve the right to use a Load Disclaimer if we deem the vehicle unsuitable for the purpose. 

 Lots are usually unpacked, you may arrange to have the items packed yourself, or Hilditch can provide a list of packers/shippers who can do this professionally ‘here’. Hilditch can provide some minor packing options (wrap, box, pallet) however we are not professional packers and do not provide any insurance for goods we pack.

If you send a transport company or courier to collect the items purchased please provide them with your buyer’s number, name, sale number and invoice number, and ask them to report to reception upon arrival.

All items must be paid for in full prior to collection.

What if I can't collect in time?

Items which are not collected within five working days following the auction date will be subject to a Late Collection Fee.

We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to arrange collection within this time, and from November 2020 will charge a minimum of £10 per pallet, per week beyond five working days for pre-agreed extensions, up to a maximum of two months. If an extension has not been agreed, this fee will increase to £20 per pallet, per week to cover our additional warehouse and movement costs during this time, and items will be re-entered into auction after six weeks.

How do I arrange shipping of my goods?

Hilditch do not recommend any shipping providers, and as such cannot be held responsible for shipping. However, we understand that it is often helpful to have a selection of contacts that our buyers can approach, and a reference contact list can be found here.

What is webcast bidding?

Webcast bidding is live bidding that allows you to participate in the auction whilst the auctioneer is selling, this is set up on bidding software which is separate to hilditchgroup.com. Registration for webcast bidding can be found HERE.

How do I login to a webcast?

As this facility is set up on a bidding platform separate to hilditchgroup.com, you will need to register a separate account with different log in details to enable you to bid HERE. Alternatively you can use the orange “view webcast” button on the sale page.

Is my bid guaranteed?

No, your bid is not guaranteed. You will be notified with all items you were successful with once the auction has ended.

What if I have additional questions?

Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

If you need more information on a Lot please email or call us with the Sale and Lot number, we can then provide more photos or extra information. Our engineers may also be able to provide a Condition Report on the Lot, please contact us to request this.

Important information / key auction terms

Sold as seen – All items are sold without warranty or guarantee. They are sold as is, where is.

With next lot – The item is being sold with the next Lot as one item.

Option – There is more than one of the same item available, the winner of the first lot decides how many lots they would like for the winning bid amount.

Pass – The item has not sold, the auctioneer will move onto the next lot.

Commission bid - Bids placed prior to the auction are known as commission bids. These are one off bids of the highest amount you are prepared to offer and this information is passed to the Auctioneer at the time of the Auction. All commission bids are kept confidential and will only be used by the Auctioneer as required to secure a lot.

STC: Sold subject to confirmation -  Items sold under the reserve amount, needing confirmation from the vendor as to whether they would like to accept the offer made at time of sale, or if they would like to put in a counter offer. If offers are accepted by the vendor the lot is added to the buyers invoice and all sale terms and conditions apply.

For more information visit ‘how our sales work’ or contact us.