Conditions of Sale
- All items are sold AS-IS without warranty of any kind.
- Payment for all items is due within FIVE business days of the auctions end.
- Buyers Premium: 5%
- A 3% Service Fee will be applied to ALL electronic payments.
- Shipping is available on some items, as noted in each listing.
- Buyer is responsible for ALL shipping costs.
- Shipping is billed separately, after auction item(s) have been paid for.
- Auction sales will not be canceled due to shipping cost.
- All sales are FINAL.
- Buyer is responsible for arranging pickup of items when shipping is not available.
- Stefek's staff CANNOT assist with packing, moving, loading, or transporting items to be picked up.
- Any item not picked up within the specified time frame will revert back to Stefek's to be re-sold or disposed of at our discretion, with no refunds given.
Prospective buyers are strongly advised to personally examine any property in which they are interested before the auction takes place. All lots are sold "AS IS" and without recourse, and neither STEFEK'S nor its consignor(s) makes any warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to such lots. Neither STEFEK'S nor its consignor(s) makes any express or implied warranty or representation of any kind or nature with respect to merchantability, fitness for purpose, correctness of the catalog or other description of the physical condition, size, quality, rarity, importance, medium, material, genuineness, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, exhibitions, literature or historical significance of any lot sold. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. No statement, whether written or oral, and whether made in this catalog, or in supplement, a bill of sale, a salesroom posting or announcement, the remarks of an auctioneer, or otherwise, shall be deemed to create any warranty, representation or assumption of liability. STEFEK'S.. makes no warranty or representation, express or implied, that the purchase will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. STEFEK'S expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog.
Refusal of admission
STEFEK'S has the right, at our complete discretion, to refuse admission to the premises or participation in an auction and to reject any bid.
Registration before bidding
A prospective buyer must complete and sign a registration form and provide identification before bidding. We may require bank or other financial references.
Potential bidders registering to bid online with STEFEK'S through online platforms who have won 5 or less items in previous online auctions at the time of registering for this auction must provide a copy of their state issued identification as well as a valid credit card. A $1.00 registration fee will be applied to the credit card at the time it is provided by the potential bidder prior to approval of the auction. When fully processed and approved, the $1.00 registration fee will be voided by STEFEK'S and the bidder will be approved for the auction. Potential bidders will receive an email notification at the end of the process, along with a receipt of the voided $1.00 registration fee.
Bidding as principal
When making a bid, a bidder is accepting personal liability to pay the purchase price, including the buyer's premium of 12% of the final bid price, unless it has been explicitly agreed in writing with STEFEK'S before the commencement of the sale that the bidder is acting as agent on behalf of an identified third party acceptable to STEFEK'S and that STEFEK'S will only look to the principal for payment.
Absentee bids
We will use reasonable efforts to carry out written bids given to us prior to the sale for the convenience of clients who are not present at the auction in person, by an agent, or by telephone. Bids must be placed in U.S. currency. If we receive written bids on a particular lot for identical amounts, and these are the highest bids on the lot at the auction, it will be sold to the person whose written bid was received and accepted first. Execution of written bids is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and we do not accept liability for failing to execute a written bid or for errors and omissions in connection with it. Absentee bid forms must be submitted by the end of business hours the day before the scheduled auction in order to be processed. Absentee bid forms or requests received after this time will not be processed.
Telephone bids
If a prospective buyer makes arrangements with us prior to the commencement of the sale we will use reasonable efforts to contact them to enable them to participate in the bidding by telephone, but we do not accept liability for failure to do so or for errors and omissions in conjunction with telephone bidding. Phone bid forms must be submitted by the end of business hours the day before the scheduled auction in order to be processed. Phone bid forms or requests received after this time will not be processed.
Reserves
Some lots in the sale are subject to a reserve which is the confidential minimum price below which such lot will not be sold. Reserves are agreed upon with consignors, or the absence thereof, in the absolute discretion of STEFEK'S.
The auctioneer may open the bidding on any lot below the reserve by placing a bid on behalf of the seller. The auctioneer may continue to bid on behalf of the seller up to the amount of the reserve, either by placing consecutive bids or by placing bids in response to the other bidders. With respect to lots that are offered without reserve, unless there are already competing bids, the auctioneer, in his or her discretion, will generally open the bidding at half of the low estimate for the lot. In the absence of a bid at that level, the auctioneer may proceed backwards in his or her discretion until a bid is recognized, and then continue up from that amount.
Frames
Stefek's does not include frames in auction appraisals. We are not responsible for the condition of any frames purchased with an artwork.
Silver Weight
Published silver weight is approximate. We do not make adjustments for the purity of the metal. Stefek's encourages prospective bidders to weight items during preview before committing to a bid.
Auctioneer's Discretion
The auctioneer has the right at his or her absolute and sole discretion to refuse any bid, to advance the bidding in such a manner as he may decide, to withdraw any lot, and in the case of error or dispute, and whether during or after the sale, to determine the successful bidder, to continue the bidding, to cancel the sale or to reoffer and resell the item in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, our sale record in conclusive.
Successful Bid
The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer will be the purchaser. In the event of a dispute between bidders, the auctioneer has final discretion to determine the successful bidder or to reoffer the lot in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, the STEFEK'S sale record shall be conclusive. Title passes upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer to the highest acknowledged bidder subject to the conditions of sale set forth herein, and the bidder assumes full risk and responsibility.
After the Sale
Buyer's Premium
In addition to the hammer price, the buyer agrees to pay STEFEK'S a buyer's premium as well as any applicable taxes. The buyer's premium is 12%. The buyer's premium remains 12% for cash or check payments. All purchases are subject to state and local sales and use taxes, when applicable.
Payment
The buyer must pay the entire amount due (including the hammer price, buyer's premium and any applicable taxes) no later than 5 pm on the seventh business day following the sale. Payments may be made in U.S. dollars by certified or cashier's check drawn on a U.S. bank unless other arrangements are made with STEFEK'S.
STEFEK'S reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay STEFEK'S a handling charge of $50 for any check dishonored by the drawee.
All international bidders must pay via PayPal or by wire transfer. STEFEK'S does not process credit card payments from international bidders by any method or capacity.
Tax Exempt Notice
For some lots, we may not be obligated to collect Michigan state or local sales tax on the total purchase price. Please see the printed catalog or listing for notification on what lots are affected.
Collecting purchases
Once STEFEK'S has received all funds due to us, the buyer shall collect purchased lots within 7 business days from the date of the sale.
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