No. In fact we work hard to attract as many private buyers as possible. Biddle & Webb auctions are open to anyone who can visit our Birmingham saleroom. There is no charge to enter the saleroom and view the lots.

If you can attend the auction all you need to do is fill in a registration form with your name, address with postcode and sign the terms and conditions of sale and leave a £20 cash deposit. Our staff will provide you with a bidding number, which you raise in the air when you wish to bid on a lot. When the hammer comes down the auctioneer will record this number. When you go to pay, hand in the number and £20 will be credited to your account and an invoice in your name with your address will be produced.

The Auctioneer will use that to close the sale of a lot. When the hammer fall the price has been set and the successful buyers details are recorded. The auctioneers cannot accept any other bids on that lot once the hammer falls.

A Lot is the auction terms for an item or number of items put together and sold by the auctioneer. A Lot could be windscreen TV, a carton of books, a car, or a pallet of stationary. All lots are numbered and listed in the sale catalogue and each number is announced along with the description of the Lot when offered for sale by the auctioneer.

That's a common worry but totally misplaced. It's only on TV that someone scratches his or her nose and it's taken as a bid. Some regular buyers known to the auctioneer may bid by a subtle nod or wink, but most people raise their hand or bidding number. It is quite safe to adjust your glasses or blow your nose without fear of buying something.

Yes. Just hand in your bidding number to the cashier on the day and you get the £20 cash back.

Yes. You can leave a commission bid which is the term used for absentee bids. If you are unable to attend an auction you can after viewing a lot fill out a commission bid form.

All goods are sold as seen, which is why Biddle & Webb are open for viewing for our Tuesday auctions on Saturday 9am to 12noon, Monday 9am to 5pm and the morning of the sale from 9am. During the viewing times Biddle & Webb staff are able to assist with any items you may want to inspect. Staff cannot provide any guarantees regarding the nature of items, so we advise all potential buyers to view the lots at our saleroom and anyone travelling to our salerooms to leave adequate time for viewing before they bid.

Auction sales are different to shop purchases because items do not carry warranties nor guarantees but on the flip side of this coin is the fact that people can pick up bargains from auctions. Our auction was featured on Channel 5 The Gadget Show, showing what could be brought on a budget.

All goods must be paid for and collected from our premises by 4.00pm the day after the auction.

Invoices must be paid prior to removal of goods. Biddle & Webb accept Cash, Debit or Credit Card (chip and pin required).