How to hold an auction in the US… from Shropshire

MULLOCK’S auctioneers are pioneering the next step in online auction sales by conducting an auction in the United States… from their rooms in the Shropshire countryside.

Mullock’s will link up with American website www.sportsbilia.com to hold a sale in the heart of America from 7000 miles away.

“We were asked by American vendors to value important collections of golfing memorabilia, including rare and valuable golf clubs, equipment and book collections and I went over to the States earlier this year to both evaluate the collections and catalogue them for sale,” explained auctioneer John Mullock.

“When I had finished the catalogue it struck me that with the technology which is now available we could easily conduct the auction online, so that the material did not have to leave the States.”

Because Mullock’s deal with a global audience, it doesn’t matter where the lots are based, but by leaving them in the US and conducting the auction from Shrop-shire, they still control the sale but avoid expensive transport costs and import and export duties.

In addition, because the sale is being conducted entirely online from the UK, the auctioneer avoids having to register in the US and does not have to qualify under US auction laws or, alternatively, hire a US qualified auctioneer to conduct the sale for them.

“As far as viewing is concerned, the American-based bidders can view the lots themselves and those based around the world can view images of them via our website. This would be exactly the same if we had the lots based in England.”

The first sale kicks off on October 8 with a second along identical lines beginning on October 15. In each case bidders will have a week to consider and place their bids.

Once the sales are finished, Mr Mullock will be returning to the USA to organise the distribution of the lots to successful purchasers.

“We think this is the first time anyone has organised a sale in this way and it will doubtless be the springboard for a complete change in the way auctions are run throughout the world.”

By Ivan Macquisten