Frequently Asked Questions
To assist you with buying, selling, and managing your luxury collection, we have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding our online auctions, shipping logistics, and private sales through Acquire Now. If your question is not addressed below, please contact us for personalized assistance from a Baer & Bosch specialist.
Bidding & Buying
How do I bid in a Baer & Bosch auction?
To participate in a Baer & Bosch online auction, clients are required to register for an account prior to bidding. Once your registration is reviewed and approved by our team, you may place bids online for the duration of the sale. Please note that by completing your registration to bid, you signify your formal agreement to our standard Conditions of Sale.
Is there an auction buyer’s premium?
Yes. A buyer’s premium of 22% is added to the final hammer price of each winning bid, in addition to any applicable local sales tax. The complete premium structure and tax terms are disclosed in full within our standard Conditions of Sale.
Can I place an absentee bid?
Yes. Clients are welcome to place an absentee bid in advance of the sale by contacting our team directly. You may submit your maximum bid to our specialists, who will record your instructions and securely execute the absentee bidding on your behalf. Our team will buy the lot as competitively as possible up to your authorized limit.
What happens if I am the successful bidder on a lot?
Following the close of the auction, successful bidders will receive an official invoice detailing the final hammer price, the 22% buyer’s premium, and any applicable local sales tax. Settlement is required within seven business days of the invoice date, with payments accepted exclusively via bank wire transfer, Wise, or Zelle.
Payment
What payment methods do you accept?
Baer & Bosch accepts payments exclusively through secure, client-initiated electronic transfers. Approved methods include domestic bank wire transfer, Zelle, and Wise. For our international clients, remittance must be made via international bank wire or Wise to ensure efficient settlement.
Please note that we do not accept credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, personal checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders under any circumstances.
I received a request to pay by credit card, PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo. Is that legitimate?
No. Baer & Bosch will never request payment via credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. Any communication directing you to submit funds through these channels is fraudulent and does not originate from our house. If you receive a suspicious payment request, do not disclose any information or remit funds; please contact us immediately to verify the security of your invoice.
When is payment due?
Settlement must be completed within seven business days of the official invoice date. Lots remaining unpaid outside of this established window will be considered overdue and are subject to the formal resale provisions and cancellation policies detailed within our standard Conditions of Sale.
Shipping & Delivery
How do you ship purchased lots?
All acquisitions are shipped via UPS, with a signature strictly required upon delivery, regardless of lot value. For select lots requiring specialized oversight, Baer & Bosch may arrange transit through armored transport and secured logistics providers to ensure maximum security and comprehensive liability coverage.
For oversized lots, custom packaging, crating, and logistics must be coordinated through specialized third-party carriers. The buyer is responsible for settling these specialized packaging services and shipping fees directly with the provider.
Prior to dispatch, we require the buyer to complete and sign our Shipping Form to verify the delivery address.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Baer & Bosch provides worldwide transit for all acquisitions via UPS. Please note that international buyers are entirely responsible for all import duties, VAT, customs clearance fees, or local taxes incurred upon entry into the destination country. These regulatory fees are independent of our house and are not included in our invoice.
How long does shipping take after I pay?
Once your remittance has fully cleared our accounts, most domestic shipments are dispatched within five to ten business days. Specialized packing for complex acquisitions and international logistics may require additional transit preparation. Our team will confirm an estimated dispatch timeline immediately upon receipt of your payment.
Authenticity & Condition
How do you authenticate the watches you sell?
Every watch is examined by our specialists prior to sale. We represent the authenticity of the watch as described in the lot listing, meaning the watch matches the model, reference, and manufacturer stated.
Does “authentic” mean every component is original to the watch?
Not necessarily, and this is an important distinction. A watch’s full service history is frequently unknown or unknowable, particularly for vintage pieces that may have changed hands or been serviced multiple times over decades. We do not guarantee that every individual component, such as the strap, bracelet, buckle, crown, crystal, links, or movement parts, is original to the watch as manufactured unless explicitly stated in the lot description. Authenticity refers to the watch itself, not a guarantee of unaltered originality on every part.
What does “running at time of inspection” mean?
It means the watch was running when our specialists examined it before the sale. It is not a warranty that the watch will continue running, and it is not a statement about timekeeping accuracy or future mechanical performance. As collectors’ watches feature complex mechanisms, any future service, battery changes, or repair work required after purchase are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We do not provide a warranty or guarantee on the future workings of any watch.
Do you authenticate artist skateboards, art toys, and prints the same way?
The verification process is adapted to the specific category. For artist skateboards, art toys, and prints, we verify the lot against known edition details, manufacturer markings, packaging variants, and, where applicable, certificates of authenticity (COAs). For prints, we also verify the known edition size, medium, and signature or numbering.
Selling & Consignment
How do I consign an item for auction?
Consignment inquiries may be submitted by contacting our specialists with detailed descriptions and clear photographs of the works. Each submission is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for our upcoming auction schedule.
What commission do you charge sellers?
Seller commission varies by category and is confirmed directly prior to consignment. Where applicable, commission is calculated alongside any regulatory fees or taxes relevant to the lot.
When do I get paid after my item sells?
Seller proceeds are paid approximately 45 days after the date of the auction, provided the buyer’s payment has been received and has fully cleared. Payment is made exclusively via bank transfer.
What if the buyer doesn’t pay?
Seller payment is strictly contingent upon receiving cleared funds from the buyer. If a buyer fails to execute payment within the required window, we reserve the right to cancel the sale and re-offer the lot in a future auction under our standard Conditions of Sale.
Acquire Now (Private Sales)
What is Acquire Now?
Acquire Now is our private sales channel, offering a curated selection of watches, art, and collectible objects available for immediate purchase outside of the scheduled auction calendar.
Do the same payment and shipping terms apply to Acquire Now purchases?
Yes. Acquire Now transactions are subject to the same payment and shipping protocols as our auction purchases. All payments must be executed via secure bank wire, Wise, or Zelle. Shipments require a signature upon delivery.
Account & General
Do I need an account to bid or buy?
Account registration is required to participate and place bids in any of our scheduled auctions. No account or registration is necessary to make a purchase through Acquire Now.
How do I contact a specialist about a specific item?
Use the enquiry button on the item’s listing, or reach us directly through our contact page.
