Spring Fine Chinese Art & Antiques Auction

Terms & Conditions of Sale HIGHLIGHT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE Quick points to keep in mind. Detailed terms are below: I. By bidding you are entering into a legal contract, please take this seriously. II. Please ask questions about items before you bid, all items are sold as is/ where is. III. Our terms are very clearly listed and are non-negotiable, please take the time to read them as they are legally binding. IV. There are absolutely no returns on any items for any reason** V. For items purchased via in person, phone or absentee bidding, your credit card will be charged the day after the auction. If other payment arrangements have been made and good funds have not been received by the 7th business day after the auction, your credit card will be charged. If you are unable to do this, please do not bid with us. Invoices not paid within seven (7) days will be treated as "non-paying bidders" and immediately reported to Liveauctioneer or Invaluable and legal action will be taken. No exceptions. VI. Due to the increasing numbers of nonpaying customers, starting from December 2012 Auction, all bidders are required to submit a credit card and government issued identification for the registration and bidding approval purposes, and the credit card will be charged for the invoice amount the day after the auction for all winning bidders. VII. If a deposit has been requested, the deposit will be used as payment towards the invoice for winning bids. If the bids are not successful, only then will the deposit be refunded. APEX ART & ANTIQUES AUCTIONEER INC AS AGENT The lots listed in this catalog will be offered by Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc as owner or as agent for consignor(s) subject to the following terms and conditions. By bidding at auction you agree to be bound by these Conditions of Sale. BEFORE THE SALE Prospective buyers are strongly advised to personally examine any property in which they are interested before the auction takes place. Condition reports are usually available on request, on lots with a low estimate of $300 and above. All lots are sold ?AS IS" and without recourse and neither Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. nor its consignor(s) makes any warranties or representations, express or implied with respect to such lots. Neither Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. nor its consignor(s) makes any express or implied warranty or representation of any kind or nature with respect to merchantability, fitness for purpose, correctness of the catalog or other description of the physical condition, size, quality, rarity, importance, medium, material, genuineness, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, exhibitions, literature or historical significance of any lot sold. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. No statement, whether written or oral, and whether made in the catalog, or in supplements to the catalog, an advertisement, a bill of sale, a salesroom posting or announcement, the remarks of an auctioneer, or otherwise, shall be deemed to create any warranty, representation or assumption of liability. Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. and its consignor(s) make no warranty or representation, express or implied that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in the catalogue. AT THE SALE Refusal of Admission Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. has the right, at our complete discretion, to refuse admission to the premises or participation in any auction and to reject any bid. If the auctioneer determines that any opening or later bid or any advance bid is not commensurate with the value of the Property offered, he may reject the same and withdraw the Property from sale. In the unlikely event that we lose our internet connection, Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to cancel the remainder of the auction. Registration before Bidding A prospective buyer must complete and sign a registration form and provide government issued identification and a credit card before bidding. We may require bank or other financial references. Bidding as Principal When making a bid, a bidder is accepting personal liability to pay the purchase price, including the buyer's premium, all applicable taxes and all other applicable charges, unless it has been explicitly agreed upon in writing with Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. before the commencement of the sale that the bidder is acting as agent on behalf of an identified third party acceptable to Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. and that Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. will only look to the principal for payment. Absentee Bids We will use reasonable efforts to carry out written bids given to us at least 24 hours prior to the sale for the convenience of clients who are not present at the auction in person, by an agent or by telephone. Bids must be placed in U.S. dollars. If we receive written bids on a particular lot for identical amounts, and these are the highest bids on the lot at the auction, it will be sold to the person whose written bid was received and accepted first. Execution of written bids is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and we do not accept liability for failing to execute a written bid or for errors and omissions in connection with the written bid. Telephone Bids On lots with a low estimate of $300 and above and if a prospective buyer makes arrangements with us prior to the commencement of the sale we will use reasonable efforts to contact them to enable them to participate in the bidding by telephone and we do not accept liability for failure to do so or for errors and omissions in connection with telephone bidding. These telephone bids may be recorded at the discretion of Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. Online Bids We will use reasonable efforts to carry out online bids and do not accept liability for equipment failure, inability to access the Internet or software malfunctions related to the execution of online bids. Reserves some lots in the sale are subject to a reserve which is the confidential minimum price below which such lot will not be sold. The reserve will not exceed the low estimate of the lot. Reserves are agreed upon with consignors or, in the absence thereof, the absolute discretion of Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. The auctioneer may open the bidding on any lot below the reserve by placing a bid on behalf of the seller. The auctioneer may continue to bid on behalf of the seller up to the amount of the reserve, either by placing consecutive bids or by placing bids in response to other bidders. With respect to lots that are offered without reserve, unless there are already competing bids, the auctioneer, in his or her discretion, will generally open the bidding at half of the low estimate for the lot. In the absence of a bid at that level, the auctioneer may proceed backwards at his or her discretion until a bid is recognized, and then continue up from that amount. Auctioneer's Discretion The auctioneer has the right at his or her absolute and sole discretion to refuse any bid, to advance the bidding in such a manner as he or she may decide, to withdraw any lot, and in the case of error or dispute, and whether during or after the sale, to determine the successful bidder, to continue the bidding, to cancel the sale or to re-offer and resell the item in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, our sale record is conclusive. Successful Bid The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer will be the purchaser. In the case of a tie bid, the winning bidder will determined by the auctioneer at his or her sole discretion. In the event of a dispute between bidders, the auctioneer has final discretion to determine the successful bidder or to re-offer the lot in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, the Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. sale record shall be conclusive. Title passes upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer to the highest acknowledged bidder subject to the Conditions of Sale set forth herein, and the bidder assumes full risk and responsibility. AFTER THE SALE Buyer's Premium In addition to the hammer price, the buyer agrees to pay Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. a buyer's premium and the applicable sales tax added to the final total. A buyer's premium will be added to the successful bid price and is payable by the purchaser as part of the total purchase price. The buyer's premium is 18% of the successful bid price up to and including $20,000, 16 % between $20,001 and $500,000, and 14% on any amount in excess of $500,000. And there will be additional 3% buyer premium for internet live bid winner for LiveAuctioneers and additional 5% for Invaluable. Payment The buyer must pay the entire amount due (including the hammer price, buyer's premium, all applicable taxes and other charges) no later than 5 p.m. on the seventh (7) business day following the sale. Payment in U.S. dollars may be made with cash; bank check or cashier's check drawn on a U.S. bank; money order; credit card or wire transfer unless other arrangements are made with Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. a handling charge of $50 for any check dishonored by the drawee. For items purchased via in person, phone or absentee bidding, your credit card will be charged the day after the auction. NOTE: CREDIT CARD PAYMENT MUST NOT EXCEED USD $5,000.00 All sales to highest bidder are final with NO Discount, Refund, or Return, and must be paid in a timely matter. Tax Exempt Notice Lots marked with an asterisk (*) are tax exempt as permitted by law. Collecting Purchases Once Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. has received all funds due to us, the buyer shall collect purchased lots within seven (7) business days from the date of the sale. Packing and Shipping If your bid is successful, we can provide you with a list of shippers. We will not be responsible for the acts or omissions of carriers or packers whether or not recommended by us. Property will not be released to the shipper without the buyer's written consent and until payment has been made in full. Packing and handling of purchased lots by us is at the entire risk of the purchaser, and Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. will have no liability of any loss or damage to such items. If your item(s) are damaged in shipping, you will need to contact the shipping company to file a claim. If your item(s) are being shipped and there is a condition problem upon receipt, you are expected to notify us immediately by phone at 215-392-0488. Any condition concerns will be null and void after the 10th business day following the end of the auction. Please note that if you pay late and thus receive your item(s) late, this does not qualify you for special privileges. We do not give refunds! All sales are final! Non Payment If we do not receive payment in full, in good cleared funds, within seven (7) business days following the sale, we are entitled in our absolute discretion to exercise one or more of the following measures, in addition to any additional actions available to us by law: a.) to impose a late charge of one and a half percent (1.5%) per thirty (30) days of the total purchase price b.) to hold the defaulting buyer liable for the total amount due and to begin legal proceedings for its recovery together with interest, legal fees and costs to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law c.) to cancel the sale d.) to resell the property publicly or privately with such terms as we find appropriate, to resell the property at public auction without reserve, and with the purchaser liable for any deficiency, cost, including handling charges, the expenses of both sales, our commission on both sales at our regular rate, all other charges due hereunder and incidental damages. In addition, a defaulting purchaser will be deemed to have granted us a security interest in, and we may retain as collateral security for such purchaser?s obligations to us, any property in our possession owned by such purchaser. At our option, payment will not be deemed to have been made in full until we have collected funds represented by checks, or in the case of bank or cashier?s checks, we have confirmed their authenticity. e.) to offset against any amount owed f.) to not allow any bids at any upcoming auction by or on behalf of the buyer g.) to take other action as we find necessary or appropriate Failure to Collect Purchases If property is not picked up within seven (7) business days following the sale, whether or not payment has been made, Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. reserves the right to charge $5 per lot per day or to deliver said property to a public warehouse for storage at the purchaser's expense. Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. shall have no liability for any damage to property left on its premises for more than seven (7) business days following the sale. In addition, we reserve the right to impose a late charge of one and a half percent (1.5%) per month of the total purchase price if payment is not made in accordance with the conditions set forth herein. For property that is not picked up after thirty (30) calendar days, an additional administration fee of $75 will be charged. Property which is paid for but left on our premises for any reason in excess of sixty (60) calendar days is subject to sale by us with the balance of any funds recovered in excess of storage charges and any other fees being remitted to you. LIABILITY Condition Reports The bidder assumes responsibility for ensuring that the condition of the item(s) meets with their satisfaction prior to bidding. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, and is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. is not responsible for the correctness of any statement of any kind concerning any lot, whether written or oral, nor for any other errors or omissions in description or for any faults or defects in any lot. Neither the seller, ourselves, our officers, employees or agents, give any representation, warranty or guarantee or assume any liability of any kind in respect of any lot with regard to merchant-ability, fitness for a particular purpose, description, size, quality, condition, attribution, completeness, authorship, authenticity, rarity, importance, medium, provenance, exhibition history, literature or historical relevance. Except as required by local law any warranty of any kind whatsoever is excluded by this paragraph. Items under $1,000 are collated upon request. Purchased Lots If for any reason a purchased lot cannot be delivered in the same condition as at the time of sale, or should any purchased lot be stolen, miss-delivered or lost prior to delivery, Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. shall not be liable for any amount in excess of that paid by the purchaser. Legal Ramifications The rights and obligations of the parties with respect to these Conditions of Sale, the conduct of the auction and any matters connected with any of the foregoing shall be governed and interpreted by the laws of the jurisdiction in State of Pennsylvania. If any part of these Conditions of Sale is found by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that part shall be discounted and the rest of the conditions shall continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law. Discretion Any and all of the conditions may be waived or modified in the sole discretion of Apex Art & Antiques Auctioneer Inc. ENDANGERED SPECIES AND CITES PERMITS The export of a lot from the United States or import into certain countries may be subject to export and import regulations, licensure and/or other restrictions; in particular, lots containing animal material such as ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, coral or whalebone may require the granting of one or more export or import licenses or may banned from import altogether by some countries. Lots that contain these aforementioned materials may also not be eligible for exportation if they are not over one hundred years of age. It is the buyer?s responsibility to investigate any such restrictions and to obtain any relevant export or import licenses. Please note that this process is governed by local authorities and may take considerable time. Regardless of any delay in the obtaining of an export or import license or denial of licenses issuance, purchased lots shall be paid for in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, and any such delay or denial shall not serve as the basis for cancellation of any sale. Prospective buyers are advised to obtain information from the relevant regulatory authorities regarding export and import restrictions, requirements, and costs prior to bidding.