Buying at Carlo Bonte
Yes, we live stream all of our auctions on our website.
To watch the auction, no registration is required. Simply navigate to the “Bid Now” button located on the top right of our website and click on “Happening Now.”
To participate in the bidding process, registration is required and must be completed at least 48 hours prior to the start of the first auction day.
We are striving to make the bidding process as simple as possible.
First, create an account and register for the auction you want to join.
Our team will review your registration and notify you of approval, usually within 24 hours.
Once approved, you can access the live auction on our website during the designated auction day and place bids in real-time.
Keep in mind that you must register for each auction separately. With your Carlo Bonte account, you can also submit absentee bids or request a telephone line for live bidding on any of our sales.
To register for absentee-bidding, you can either bid directly online (when registered for an auction) or use our Bid Form.
To register for telephone-bidding, please fill in our Telephone Bid Form. Please note that we only accept telephone bids for lots with an expected hammer price of more than €1.500.
Once we have received your bids, our colleagues will register you in our sale.
You will receive a confirmation email once this has been done. Please allow up to 48h of processing time.
For new clients, please note that we require extra identification documents to register you to our sale. You will receive an email from us clearly stating any additional documents required.
Alternatively, you can always contact us directly at [email protected] or (+32) 50 33 23 55.
Online (recommended)
In all of our auctions, it is possible to bid live online directly from your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device.
Bidding online allows you to take part in real-time from all over the world. You have the full control over all your bid and do not have to reveal or determine your bids before the sale.
When bidding on a desktop or laptop, you will also be able to follow our live stream directly from the auction room.
Absentee Bids
When placing absentee bids, you can place your maximum bids before the sale. The auction house will then try and secure the item for you at the lowest possible price. Even if you are unavailable on the auction date, this is a great way to participate.
Telephone Bids
If you choose to bid by phone, we will call you on the auction days a couple of minutes before your lot comes up. Our telephone clerks will be acting as a liaison and place bids in your name. You will be bidding in realtime without the need to be at our auction.
Bid in person
Due to COVID-19, we have decided that all auctions will be held purely live online and bidding at the auction house is not possible until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and stay safe.
Yes.
When bidding online you will be able to see all your bids under ‘My Account’ – ‘My Bids’.
When absentee-bidding or when requesting a telephone bid our colleagues will manually process your request and send you a confirmation once it has been successful. Please allow up to 48h of processing time.
You will be able to find the sale results a couple of hours after the sale has concluded. Please note that results are only final once approved by the bailiff at the end of the auction. A bailiff is taking part in each of our auctions and is making sure all bids are correctly submitted.
If you have bid live online you will be able to see your won items under ‘My Account’ – ‘My purchases’
Additionally, every winning bidder will an invoice by e-mail within 48h after the sale. Please make also sure to check your Spam-folder if you should not receive it.
Our auctions usually start at 10 am (local time) at lot 1 – for auctions with multiple days, please check the auction description at which lots the following days will start.
A break will be held between 1 pm and 2 pm (local time).
We expect the pace of the auction to be between 50 – 70 lots per hour. This is hugely influenced by the number of bids received during the sale.
All items can be picked up at our main office location:
Kardinaal Mercierstraat 20
8000 Bruges, Belgium
Private parking is is available for cars and vans.
Larger trucks can temporarily park just outside our entrance on the side of the street. Please do not forget to place your parking disc.
We are open for pickup on the following days:
Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm
Thursday 9 am – 5 pm
Friday 9 am – 3pm
If you would like to pick up outside of these hours please let us know by mail or telephone.
It is also possible to schedule a pickup directly online.
You can request a shipping quote by contacting a shipping company of your choice. We have composed a list of recommended options, but you are also free to choose your own. It is a good idea to request multiple quotes to compare prices/services.
After choosing a shipper, please make sure to let us know by mail or send us the ‘Authorization Form’. Without your confirmation, we will not be able to release any items.
All items can be picked up the first working day after the auction. The actual shipping time depends greatly on the chosen shipper and their planning. It is a good idea to inform yourself about transit times when requesting a quote.
Carlo Bonte Auction does currently not offer packing or shipping services in-house. All items will be handed over unpacked.
All Shippers from the list above are aware of this fact and will gladly make the necessary arrangements for you.
Carlo Bonte Auctions does currently not offer any packing or shipping services in-house.
If you have purchased small (<30cm) items that are not fragile we might be able to help you to pack this for the purpose of being picked up by a courier service. This will be decided on a case by case basis and can not be seen as guaranteed.
If this applies to you please contact us by mail and we will get back to you shortly.
All goods are due to be collected within <strong>30 days</strong> after the first auction day.
If you are not able to pick up your items on time, we will charge you a fixed storage fee of €20 per lot per week.
<em>Due to COVID-19 is this rule currently not enforced. It is our utmost priority to make sure that pickups can go through safely.</em>