Expert valuation of every item

Our Auctionata experts are responsible for appraising the quality and authenticity of all items submitted for valuation. That’s how we guarantee our buyers that all items listed on Auctionata are genuine. Auctionata’s photo service provides professional photos of items to be listed at auction. This allows you the best possible assessment of an item’s personal value to you as a buyer. Our worldwide network of experts comprises specialists from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the rest of Europe and the USA. This broad range of expertise means Auctionata can ensure identification and accurate valuation of all kinds of items.

What is forgery?

A forgery is a copy produced with the intention of deceiving a potential purchaser as to the creator, the date of creation, the material and the age, given the technical and scientific knowledge available at the time of purchase.

This means that the guarantee relates solely to expressly stated information about the creator, the date of creation, the material and the age of an item. If one of the items of information listed above was not provided for an item, this information shall not be the subject of the guarantee.
Items which are expressly identified as a copy (e.g. “museum replica”) or described as "a work with doubts regarding its authenticity" are not subject of the guarantee.

For more information regarding our authenticity guarantee, see our terms and conditions.

How does the arbitration in case of a dispute work?

Auctionata’s authenticity guarantee assures you peace of mind and goes beyond the auction process itself. It gives the buyer a 25-year guarantee for every item sold.

Should you have any doubts about the authenticity of an item purchased on Auctionata, our arbitration process provides absolute clarity. In case of uncertainty, we will commission a certified, impartial expert to provide a professional opinion on the authenticity of the item in question.

If the expert’s findings confirm your doubts are valid, you will be able to return the item and receive a full refund.

How much does shipping cost?

The packaging and shipping fees depend on the item’s size, weight and shipping address – whereby the shipping address depends on whether it is within Germany, the EU or Europe (non-EU countries), or international. You can find more detailed information about our packaging and shipping fees in our Overview of Fees.

View shipping fees

If I purchase more than one item, will I pay less for shipping?

Of course. The more purchases you make, the cheaper the shipping. Here’s how it works:

• 2-3 items: You pay the cost of shipping the largest item only.
• 4-7 items: You pay twice the cost of shipping the largest item.
• 8-15 items: You pay three times the cost of shipping the largest item.
• 15+ items: You pay the cost of shipping the largest item in every multiple of 5.

How long do items take to arrive?

At the purchase “cash with order” Auctionata will only ship the items when they have been paid for in full (receipt of payment). The delivery period shall be 14 days after receipt of payment in the case of deliveries within the EU, and 21 days for deliveries to countries outside the EU. We deliver all over the world, provided that this does not conflict with legal regulations (bans on imports).

Can I collect an item in person?

Yes. If you wish, you may arrange to pick up your item yourself. Please contact us to arrange this.

Email us at info@auctionata.com or call us on +49 30 610 80 61 67. You can contact us any time Monday to Friday from 9am-7pm CET.

Which countries does Auctionata deliver to?

Auctionata delivers to every country in the world. We also take care of customs formalities for deliveries outside the European Union.

How will I know when my item has been shipped?

As soon as your purchase has been approved by us, you will receive an order confirmation. This confirmation means the sales contract between you and Auctionata is in place.

Please note that your purchase will only be shipped once your payment has been received in Auctionata’s account. Depending on your payment method, this may take a few days. Following receipt of payment and shipping, you will receive an email containing a link you can use to track the status of your delivery online.

Does Auctionata provide transport insurance?

Yes. Our shipments are always insured. Transport insurance is charged at a fixed rate of 2.98% of the auction price, inclusive of the premium, and 2.98% of the price of items in our shop.

Which carrier will deliver my item?

This depends on the type of item. Auctionata provides secure, reliable shipping and delivery for all purchases. Thanks to our experienced service team and trusted logistics partners, there’s no item, however large, heavy, small or delicate, that we can’t get to you safely.

How can I pay?

We currently offer the following payment methods:

Credit card: Pay instantly and safely with your American Express, Diners Club, Visa or MasterCard credit card, via our payment provider Wirecard.

PayPal: Pay instantly with a secure, direct link to your PayPal account.

Bank transfer: Send your payment safely and conveniently to our account at Commerzbank Berlin.

How does payment by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club) work?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club cards for purchases up to €25,000. In exceptional cases, this limit can be extended on request for specially loyal or valued customers.

When you select to pay by credit card, you’ll be automatically directed to Wirecard at the end of the order process. Your credit card details will be encrypted over an SSL connection. This high level of security makes credit card purchases on Auctionata especially safe.

Once your payment has been accepted, you’ll be redirected back to your order confirmation page on Auctionata.

How does payment by PayPal work?

When you select to pay by PayPal, you’ll automatically be directed to PayPal at the end of the order process. If you already have an account, you can log in straight away to make your payment. If you’re new to PayPal, you can either pay as a guest or open a free acount.

Once your payment has been accepted, you’ll be redirected back to your order confirmation page on Auctionata.

How does payment by bank transfer work?

Your order confirmation contains all the details you need to transfer your payment to our account at Commerzbank Berlin. Please transfer the amount invoiced within 3 days. Once the full amount has been transferred to our account, your item will be shipped as quickly as possible.

When transferring payment, please enter the invoice number you’ll find on your order confirmation in the field marked ‘Reference’.

How can I obtain a copy of my invoice?

Simply contact the Auctionata team with the relevant invoice number to request a copy of an invoice. We’ll send a copy to the email address we have on file for you. If you don’t have the invoice number to hand, we’ll try and send this together with your invoice.

What costs will I have to pay in addition to the hammer price?

1. Buyer’s premium
The buyer’s premium amounts to 20% plus statutory VAT (23.8%) of the hammer price at auction or purchase price in our shop. The price of items in our shop already includes the buyer’s premium. For items in our auctions, the buyer’s premium is added to the hammer price during the checkout process.

2. Transportation insurance
Auctionata transportation insurance is charged at a flat rate of 2.98% (2.5% plus statutory VAT) of the price, inclusive of the premium, for items purchased in our auctions. For items purchased in our shop, insurance is charged at a flat rate of 2.98% (2.5% plus statutory VAT) of the purchase price. Transportation insurance is mandatory for items with a total price of over €500.

3. Packing and shipping costs
The cost of shipping and packing items is added to your invoice. These vary per order according to the size and weight of items and whether your delivery address is within or outside the EU. For more information, please refer to our overview of fees.

What should I do if I haven’t received my item?

If you’ve received your order and shipping confirmation by email but your item still hasn’t arrived, or it’s taking considerably longer than the time stated on your confirmation, please contact the Auctionata team. We’ll take care of your case immediately and promise to resolve the issue fast!

What should I do if my item is damaged?

Please keep hold of the packaging and contact us immediately. We’ll take care of everything. Your items are always insured in the unlikely event of damage.

How do I return an item?

You have a right to revoke within 14 days. To the revocation instruction.

You can inform us about your revocation (widerruf@auctionata.com). We would like to organize the collection for you.

Will my payment be refunded if I return an item?

If you decide to cancel your purchase, we will return the full purchase price and also reimburse any additional expenses incurred from returning the item.

How much does it cost to return an item?

It’s always free of charge to return items.

What personal details does Auctionata collect?

Auctionata collects data which is actually necessary for the purchase process and beyond this only when you have given your consent to this in advance. We are committed to main absolute discretion and will treat your personal data of course in strict confidence and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

You can read more about this topic in our here.

Who can I contact if I have questions about data protection?

Please contact the Auctionata team. We’ll be happy to help. You can also read our official data protection policyhere.

When I place an order, are my account and credit card details secure?

Yes. Your payment will be handled by our service provider, Wirecard. Your account and credit card details will be encrypted, so they cannot ever be accessed by unauthorised sources.

When will my details be passed to service providers?

In order to process your purchase, we may need to pass your details to trusted third parties such as shipping companies.

Auctionata ensures that your details will only be used for the intended purposes. No additional details will be passed to other companies or organisations without authorisation.

Will my details be passed to third parties without my permission?

Auctionata is committed to absolute discretion, in keeping with traditions of the auction business. Your details are safe with us and, as a matter of principle, will never be shared with third parties without your permission. We manage and run all the auctions, so you never appear in person as a buyer or seller and remain protected from uninvited contact. Buying and selling on Auctionata is totally convenient and requires little effort on your part. You can find more information in our data protection policy.

Are the experts employees of Auctionata?

No. Auctionata’s experts are impartial, independent specialists who work for clients from all over the world. Our experts have flawless reputations and years of experience in their field.

Do Auctionata’s experts check the original item?

Yes. All items up for auction and on sale in our shop with no time limit are appraised and valued by our experts in person. Items on sale in our shop for a limited period of time are valued on the basis of photographs.

Can I offer the seller a lower price?

Of course. Simply click “Place counter offer” on the right of the photo of the item to make the seller a counter offer. Auctionata will take care of the rest.

What are the chances of my counter offer being accepted?

We’ll do our very best to persuade the seller to accept your offer. Naturally, the higher your bid, the better your chance of success. You’ll also increase your chance of acceptance if you make offers on more than one item. This is because we can then offer the seller reduced consignment fees for multiple sales.

Are counter offers binding?

Yes. When you enter a counter offer, you commit to purchase the item in question if the seller accepts your offer within 5 days. You should only ever enter a counter offer on an item if you’re serious about purchasing it.

Do the authenticity guarantee and right of revocation apply to items purchased with a counter offer?

Of couse. When you purchase items with a counter offer, you’re protected with Auctionata’s 25-year authenticity guarantee and right of revocation (according to the Distance Sales Act)

When will I know if my counter offer has been accepted?

After you enter a counter offer, you will receive an update from Auctionata on the status of negotiation with the seller within 24 hours.

How long is a counter bid binding for?

Your offer is valid and binding for 5 days. The seller must decide to accept or decline your offer within this period.

Call us

+49 30 9832 0221

You can contact us any time from Monday to Friday from 9am-7pm CET.

Email us

shop@auctionata.com