Bamfords Auctioneers & Valuers Reviews 

As a occasional buyer, the experience can't be faltered.
Lady showing the item at a viewing, lady at accounts, lady on reception and lady helping with collection, they were all extremely helpful and friendly.

Having relied on this auction house for several years, I can confidently attest to the unparalleled service they provide. They have consistently exceeded my expectations, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Their knowledgeable staff possesses an impressive depth of expertise and a genuine passion for their craft. Whether it's art, furniture, or collectibles, they have consistently showcased their understanding of each item's value and significance.

What truly sets them apart is their ability to deliver remarkable results. Time and again, they have successfully connected buyers with the items they desire, maximizing the value of each lot. Their seamless process and attentive service have made every auction experience both satisfying and rewarding.

For those seeking an auction house that consistently delivers exceptional service and outstanding results, I wholeheartedly recommend placing your trust in this remarkable establishment.

I took some items to Derby for valuation this morning. Easy parking. The room was uncluttered, good large desk top to unwrap items, loads of interesting and invaluable information and a cup of coffee! Would find it difficult to go anywhere else.

I drove for two hours to collect an item that I had won at auction. I was needing the toilet urgently when I arrived due to a medical condition and my medication. I was told, “toilets are for staff only, you can find one in the nearby shopping centre, but your not using ours.”
Someone tried to justify their stance, which if you think about it, it boils down to them implying that you aren’t clean enough to use their facilities. I use two auction houses regularly, Sheffield and Rotherham, and they both provide toilet access, and what’s more you don’t have to ask to use them.
How innovative of them to provide for their customers needs. I will not be using this auction house again, I only hope as their staff get older they don’t find themselves in a similar situation we’re they have a medical needs but receive no assistance.
I will only sell now through an auction which is more sympathetic to disabilities and medical needs and definitely not this one.
Angry cross legged customer.

Always dealt with bamfords always been please with items bought and items I've sold Roger .K.

Wouldn't use again. Sold alot of items. Told the percentage costs that would be taken off. Please read small print as there's alot more fees to come off, insurance fee, if not sold fee plus more. One lot didn't sell so was told when it would go on but didn't. Had to keep chasing to see when it would go on. That lot sold for £20, I got £12, minus the charged £3 for no sale first time.

Nothing but praise for these guys, they have dealt with clearing the estate of a loved one on our behalf and we could not be happier.

Would have no hesitation in recommending to anyone.

I have NEVER dealt with a company so dishonest or without morals.

A true tale that I hope others learn from:

Last year we lost our father aged 97 and we engaged with Bamfords to hold an Auction of the contents of his Estate

They visited the property & promised to 'sell everything' They were keen to try to list and sell many items that were the fabric of this period country house for their own profit & strip the house of features that made it what it was, a beautiful family home.

Luckily, our fixtures & fittings list (the house was sold separately) put pay to them sticking a lot number on everything that was the fabric of the house.

They gave us a written quotation & we eventually agreed on two important points: The Commission and The Buyers Premium.

As you know, Auction Houses take not just from the Seller, but also charge the Buyer a fee, which can actually have a negative impact on the Sale price.

We agreed commission at 18% and we also agreed that the Buyers would 'only' pay 21% Buyers Premium.

During the set up for the sale, we did warn them that the Sale date could only happen once the House was 'under offer' (the items were being sold from their premises and online with the items physically staying at the house until collected.)

We advised them that they could do the cataloging & lotting up prior to this to save time. They also promised 4 online sales platforms and a whole months advertising of the sale contents.

They were very slow on this & got behind but suddenly we were in a position to move as quickly as possible. We agreed a date only to have this date cancelled by them.

They were then not interested in some items they said they would sell & even though I personally had to get involved sending photos & descriptions of Lots, they ignored them. They missed out lots that they had seen or numbered & the work I had to do to try and get items added was immense.

At one stage, Annabel was in attendance, one item was a circular multi tier old revolving book case that was full of books as a separate lot. I can only imagine that she was either showing a Buyer or taking photos for another Buyer, but she simply 'threw' all the books (approx 200 or so) onto the lounge floor in a pile ... & just left them there. Im not talking about putting them in a neat pile, Im talking about throwing them in an untidy mound - This was a Lot of books that some were signed valued Mountaineering books (but they didnt even notice that) .. it was shocking. I complained but didnt even get an apology.

It became clear that there was some issue internally (and personally as some of the staff later explained) between Annabel and James the Auctioneer (director?).

This manifested itself in a total lack of communication between the two & when Annabel went on holiday shortly before the Sale, I was then having to deal with James who suddenly decided to go back on some of our agreements. One of these was limiting what we as a family could buy or bid on. About 2 weeks to go he then threatened to cancel the sale.

I was appalled at his attitude. They had us over a barrel & they knew it. In the end we came to an agreement as we knew that the family only wanted to buy (or bid on) a certain number of items. But when Annabel came back from Holiday, she then started to again try and put a cap on what we could buy ... it was remarkable the total lack of communication internally.

They then tried to tell us that they had to be informed of which items we would be bidding on !! Bizarre !

The sale never got its full 'month' of advertising and I their FaceBook advertisement of the Sale only went up on the morning of the sale. Totally pointless and not what was agreed. There were only 3 online platforms not 4.

I pushed & pushed to get other items listed & then without prior notice they put a Minimum Bid Lot Price of £20 on any lot.

So they refused to list some lots which they had originally agreed to sell.

One item was a working order Chest Freezer which they refused to lot up .... but remarkably they had already lotted up a small Fridge.. but you will love this ... we were told by Staff who took that Fridge away, that Annabel was the bidder on that lot !!! .... Its funny that they accepted to take Lots that their staff waned to buy !

We also had issues with items not being paid for or Bamfords rescinding the sale on lots after going back on their own terms and conditions of sale. They made other errors too.

On top of all this, after cutting off many wires from lamps without advising, they charged us £100 + VAT PAT testing fees when they actually had NOT PAT tested many of the items

Finally, they decided, without notification, to charge the BUYERS 24.75% +VAT PREMIUM which they refused to discuss. 29.7 % - They kept the extra money, and refused to agree this would affect the Sale Price.

SIMPLE CHEATS AND LIARS

We even had it all in writing, but this business only cares about their PROFIT

Great to see you are now open for viewings and bidding

I really forgot that I wasn't going to use you again. On receiving my 5 pens I remember why. The Parker zduofold has a split on the nib from the breather hole down. The Onoto  which might have dug me out of a hole, has had the nib replaced with a warranted one. The eversharp is missing the end to its plunger. Please spare me your Caveat Emptor excuse. It is honourable to include AF if there are issues with a lot that at least would make me get a report on condition. You are supposed to be a premier auction house and should be ashamed to pass off damaged goods . Obviously so we're at least one other or the closing bid would have been nearer 100 than 200. Never again Bamford will you have my custom. PS I have used easylive over 2000 times and this is only the second letter of complaint. Guess who was the last one. Shoddy practice!

Appaling auction house - avoid at all costs - see reviews on Facebook. Here's my experience - took an oil painting to them in October 2020. they liked it a lot, and said it would go into a specialist sale just prior to Christmas...came and went, then said after me enquiring, will be sold in January...came & went, not listed for sale. Contacted them numerous times over the last 5 months, getting nowhere. Think they have lost it, burnt it, gave it away with another lot...who knows, they only get upset if you accuse them of poor customer service. Like most auction houses, they've got their tame mates, the one's who buy on a nod for a back hander - but 7 months to list a picture, call yourselves auctioneers. Have complained to NAVA & The Property Ombudsman

You ever win an item through a Live Auctioneers auction house member and when you receive it, it has damage that wasn't mentioned and they refer you to their "small print" section in their policies which states that it is your responsibility to ask if an item has damage. I got a 17th century silver cup from them and paid a lot of money for it. When I opened up the package here in The US, I was shocked and in complete disbelief as to what I was looking at. The cup was completely destroyed "from antiquity". There was a crack from being crushed that went the entire width of the lower part of the cup and this could not be seen in the single photo they use. You could see a small crack in that one photo so I adjusted my bid accordingly though you could not see that large crack or the 3 cracks in the lid or the addition "TEN" cracks in the body of the cup. The last response I got from them was "Sorry, there is nothing we can do"