A Moment in Time: The Watch Sale

These conditions of sale are Nye and Company’s, a division of Buck Trout, Inc. (“we,” “us” or “our”), and the consignor’s entire agreement with the  bidder or purchaser (“you” or “your”) for the property listed in the auction catalogue, other than items listed in advertising for future sales.  These conditions of sale and the contents listed in the catalogue are subject to amendment by us by the posting of notices or by oral announcements made during the sale.  We will offer the property in lots.   A lot may consist of a single item of property or multiple items of property as we may determine.  Please note that any references to the term “including” are deemed to mean “including, by way of example and not of limitation.”  By bidding at any of our auctions, whether in person or by agent, by written or any other means, you agree to be bound by the following conditions of sale:

1. Property Sold “As Is.”    All property is sold “As Is” and without any express or implied representation or warranty by us or any consignor, including with respect to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose or  as to the physical condition, size, quality, rarity, importance, authorship, provenance, medium, period, literature, exhibitions, origin, or estimated value of any lot sold.  We and the consignor also make no representations or warranties as to whether you will acquire any copyrights, including reproduction rights, in any purchased property. The absence of any reference to the condition of property does not imply perfect or imperfect condition nor does a reference to defects imply the absence of others. No oral or written statement, including  in the catalogue or an advertisement, bill of  sale, gallery or website posting, announcement, or remarks by our staff or agents or the auctioneer,  is to be considered a warranty, representation, or assumption  of liability.  All measurements and weights are approximate.

2. Property Available for Inspection. It is your responsibility to inspect the property before bidding to determine your level of interest.  We strongly encourage an inspection so that you may determine the property’s condition and whether it has been repaired or restored.

3. Property Withdrawal.  We reserve the right to withdraw any property before or at a sale and cannot be held liable for any such withdrawal.

4. Right to Reject Bids.  We reserve the right to reject any bid.  If the auctioneer decides an opening bid is below the value of the lot offered, the auctioneer may reject that bid and withdraw the lot from sale.  If the auctioneer acknowledges an opening bid, and later decides that any additional bid is insufficient, he may reject that advance.  If the auctioneer does not receive or accept an advance additional bid, he then at his discretion may pass and not sell that lot.

5. Lots with Reserves; Our Interest in Property.   We may offer lots subject to a “reserve,” which is a confidential minimum price below which a lot will not be sold.  We may implement such reserves by bidding on behalf of the consignor.  We also may begin bidding for a lot at a price above the reserve, but may reduce the bid below the reserve in order to stimulate the bidding process.  We or our affiliates may have an ownership or other financial interest, including as a result of a loan to a consignor, in the outcome of a sale of a lot.

6. Bidding Procedure. The auctioneer, in his sole discretion, may advance the bidding in any manner that he may decide, or withdraw or divide any lot or combine two or more lots.  In the event of a bidding dispute, the auctioneer has final discretion to determine the successful bidder, cancel the sale, or to re-offer and resell the disputed lot.  If a dispute arises after the sale, our sale record is conclusive and final.

7. Absentee and Phone Bidding Not Guaranteed. In our sole discretion we may permit and execute absentee bidding, including written bids, telephone bidding, and internet bidding, as a convenience to you if you are unable to attend an auction.  We are not responsible for any errors or omissions related to this type of bidding.  You further agree to hold us harmless should we fail in any way to execute properly this type of bid for you.

8. Title to Property.  Title passes on the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer to the highest acknowledged bidder subject to these conditions of sale.  At that time, that bidder assumes full risk and responsibility for that lot, including liability for damage to frames or glass covering lot property.  The successful bidder will immediately pay us the full purchase price, unless we have provided our advance written consent to another payment arrangement.  Packing and handling of purchased lots is at the entire responsibility and risk of the purchaser.  We are not responsible for the acts of movers or packers and any packing or handling by us is at the entire risk of the purchaser.

9. Buyer’s Premium; Tax.  The total purchase price to be paid for each lot of property by you is the amount of the successful bid price plus a premium of 20% on the first $100,000 of the bid and 10% on any amount in excess of $100,000.  Unless exempt by law, all purchases (including buyers premium) are subject to local sales or use tax.

10. Payments. You will pay us the total purchase price for a lot by credit card, cash, paypal, or traveler’s checks, or with, our prior written consent, by personal check before the property can be removed.  We reserve the right to hold the merchandise until cleared or certified funds are provided.  The purchaser will be charged $25.00 for each check returned for insufficient funds.

11. Property Removal.   You must pay for and remove all purchased lots, at your expense, within 14 days unless we have provided prior written consent otherwise.  If you do not remove property at that time, we will charge you a PER LOT charge of $5.00 per day that the property remains at the sale site. We are not responsible for any purchased property left at the site of sale.  After 14 days, all property will be moved to a third party storage warehouse. 

12. Purchaser in Default; Our Remedies.   If you do not comply with any of these Conditions of Sale,  you will be in default, and you agree that we  and/or the consignor will have the right to pursue any remedies at law or otherwise against you as we or the consignor may determine in our or its sole discretion, including:

 (i)  holding you liable for the total purchase price (including buyer’s premium);

 (ii) canceling the sale of that or any other lots sold to you at the same time or any other auction, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by you and reselling the  property in any manner we determine without reserve.  If this occurs, you  will be liable for  any deficiency and added cost, including our commission on both sales at our regular rate;

(iii) setting off  the amount you owe us from a default against any amounts that we may owe you in other transactions;

(iv) rejecting any bids by you or that we determine in our sole discretion are being made on your behalf at other auctions  or  requiring you to place a deposit with us before accepting your bids; or

(v) effecting a  combination of any of the foregoing as well as any other legal or equitable remedies we may have against you.

 In addition, you agree to pay us upon demand for all costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, that we incur in pursuing any  remedy against you in connection with these conditions of sale.

13. Limitation on Liability.  In no event will our liability to you exceed the purchase price actually paid.

14.  Governing Law, Jurisdiction, Venue, Waiver of Jury Trial.  These conditions of sale are governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey (excluding the choice of law rules thereof). In connection with any dispute arising with us under this agreement or otherwise, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the state of New Jersey, regardless of where you may reside or have a place of business. You waive all rights you may have to a jury trial in connection with any dispute arising with us under this agreement or otherwise.