From a Cartier ring, to a Louis Vuitton bag or a Georgian table, when you buy from Dawsons you can bid and buy with confidence, safe in the knowledge that we have done the hard work to ensure your purchase is risk free.
25/02/2021
Recent world events have led to a major increase in online shopping and new buyers are discovering the fascinating world of live online auctions every day. But how can you be certain that what you're buying is genuine? A recent survey by the British Hallmarking Council revealed that a third of gold jewellery sold online could be fake. With so many fakes and forgeries out there, how can you be assured of authenticity when buying at auction?
We check every item we sell in detail to ensure it is genuine. For example, all of a jewellery specialists hold jewellery qualifications, meaning every piece of jewellery is inspected thoroughly, the stones are sized and graded and the materials such as carat of gold are described accurately. We also research the items we handle and look into the history and provenance of each piece where possible, comparing them to recently sold comparables. This ‘added value’ is what sets us apart as a professional and responsible auction house, in turn, giving you confidence in your purchase.
As a professional company, we are regulated by The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers (SOFAA). SOFAA is the principal professional body for Fine Art Auctioneers in the UK, along with NAVA and the RICS, who have more of a focus on property. This means we must adhere to a set of professional standards and guidelines which govern a variety of areas of our business. These include the way we interact with clients, the way we handle client monies, the way we catalogue and describe items and the level of experience our valuers must have to practice. When dealing with a member of SOFAA, you can be assured that they will act with integrity, impartiality and in the interest of clients at all times.
Our team of specialist valuers have many years of experience in a wide range of fields. Whether you are buying Jewellery, Watches, Silver, Gold Coins, Paintings, Furniture, Asian Art, Ceramics, Collectables, a Motor Vehicle, or indeed one of the many other items we sell at auction, our valuers have the experience to properly identify, research, describe and value all of the items we sell.
Unlike most online auction sites, live online auctions give you the opportunity to view and handle the lot before purchase. Having the ability to inspect a lot in person or via video call before a sale and discuss it in more detail with one of our specialists is the best way of ensuring you have all the facts to hand before bidding.
We’re all human and occasionally mistakes can happen. So what happens if something does slip through the net and is misdescribed, or turns out to be a fake? Well fear not, in the rare situation that this does happen, you are entitled to bring the item back to us within 21 days of the sale for a full refund.
Lastly, our reputation as a fine art and antiques auction house is paramount to us, especially in an industry that is built on trust. It is in our interest to ensure that all items we sell are authentic and good quality, allowing you to buy from Dawsons with complete confidence.