Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Questions
After placing a maximum bid, our software will automatically bid on your behalf in $1 increments above any competing bids that are less than the value entered as your maximum bid. It is a strategic way to ensure you will not be outbid in the final moments within your predetermined bid range.
The “Buy Now” feature allows bidders to purchase an item for a fixed price before the auction ends.
The buyer’s premium is a percentage additional charge on the hammer price of the lot that is paid by the winning bidder. All sales on Town & Sea have a 15% Buyer’s Premium.
If you know you can not make a pick up date, we would advise coordinating a pickup with a shipper before placing a bid. If an item is won but no one arrives to pick it up, the item will be considered forfeited and no refunds will be issued.
We do not provide shipping for our sales, however, we do have a large network of local shippers that we would be happy to connect you with. For an introduction, please send us an email at logistics@townandsea.com or check out our shipping resource page here.
All bids placed on Town & Sea are final.
No, there is no extended time for last minute bids. The countdown clock accurately depicts when each lot will close in the auction. We highly recommend entering a Maximum Bid to ensure you will not be outbid in the final moments within your predetermined bid range.
The Reserve is Town & Sea’s thoughtfully curated consignment offering. We know that in some cases people only wish to sell a few items, so we are thrilled to offer our sellers (and customers) the option to find new homes by listing their beloved pieces on our Reserve page.
To make an offer on a consigned item on our Reserve Page, a registered user must be signed in to their account with a saved payment method on file. As per our site’s Terms of Use, if an offer is accepted by the consignor, Town & Sea will run the customer’s card on file for the accepted offer amount along with any applicable sales tax. Please keep in mind offers will not be considered below 50% of the list price.
Our logistics team will be in touch after an order is placed to arrange the pickup and/or delivery of your purchase. Please feel free to reach out to us ahead of placing an order for a shipping estimate.
Seller Questions
Getting started is easy! Enter your selling inquiry via our “Sell With Us” page and one of our curators will be in touch to discuss next steps!
Town & Sea auctions run for 1-2 weeks. The pick up date is advertised during the auction and will occur within a week from the auction closing.
No. If the winning bidder requires shipment on an item they have won, it is at their expense. Town & Sea does not handle shipping transactions.
Town & Sea oversees all pickup arrangements with the winning bidders. Our team will be present on the pickup date to facilitate and ensure smooth operations.
Yes, all sales are final. Once the timed auction clock runs out, the transfer of ownership begins. We require sellers to determine their final catalog of items before they sign our auction agreement.
All items that are not picked up at the auction pickup will be deemed forfeited.
Sellers will receive a check payment mailed out within 30 days of their auction pickup date. The payment will reflect 60% of their auction’s hammer price total. The hammer price is the winning bid amount.
The consignment listing period is three-months. During this time, Town & Sea will market and promote your pieces through our very engaged Instagram account as well as weekly newsletters and blogs sent to our growing subscriber base. After three months, any remaining items will be transferred over into one of our quarterly multi-seller auctions.
