Terms and Conditions

1. Terms and Conditions

Universal Auctions Group strongly advises all account holders / bidders to thoroughly read and understand the terms of sale prior to registering and submitting any bids.

All auctions conducted by Universal Auctions Group Ltd ("Universal Auctions" or "we") are operated as trade-only auctions, where participants must act as business entities. By participating in our auctions, buyers ("Buyer" or "you") acknowledge and accept that the sale is not a business-to-consumer contract.

Trade-only auctions are NOT governed by the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, ‘Unfair Contract Terms Act Regulations’ 1977 / 1999 or any other consumer contract-related legislation. By bidding, the bidder acknowledges and agrees to this exclusion. The buyer shall not seek to rely upon any conditions or warranties implied thereby.

By registering and bidding on lots within our auctions, the ‘account holder’ acknowledges that they have conducted their own research, undergone due diligence, and fully inspected the lots they wish to bid on.

The ‘account holder’ agrees that the ‘auctioneer and vendors’ make no representations, warranties, or guarantees in any way.

The ‘account holder’ accepts the ‘terms of sale’ or ‘terms and conditions’ listed at the time of registering for bid. The ‘account holder’ indemnifies the ‘Auctioneer – Universal Auctions Group’ and any of their vendors against any claims related to fitness for use or purpose.

Auctioneer details

Universal Auctions Group Ltd
Registered Address: Parkgates Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 0JW
Correspondence address: First Floor Office 3 Hornton Place, London, W8 4LZ
(Please Note: Please refer to each lot description for the location of each individual lot. Lot locations will vary depending on where they lot is based)

Contact Details:
Telephone: +44 (0) 330 332 5232
Email: info@universalauctions.group

1.0. Bidding

1.1. Once you have created your bidding account, you can register to bid.

1.2. Manual approval by the auctioneer may be required. Universal auctions group reserve the right to decline any bidder account.

1.3. The ‘account holder’ may be required to provide additional information is order to verify them for approval of bidding.

1.4. Additional identification may be required such as Driver’s License or a utility bill.

1.5. In the registration process you will be required to agree to the ’Terms of Sale / Terms & Conditions’.

1.6. All bids placed are legally binding and cannot be withdrawn at any time and under no circumstance.

1.7. The ‘Account Holder’ is responsible for all bidding activity. By participating in the auction, the ‘Account Holder’ agrees to complete any purchases resulting from ‘Winning Bid(s) Submitted / Provisional Accepted Bids’ on lots they’ve bid on.

1.8. The ‘Account Holder’ is agreeing to be 18 years or older.

2.0. Winning Bids / Payment

2.1. If you are the winning bidder on any Lot(s), your invoice will be sent to the email address on your bidding account. It is the ‘account holders’ responsibility to monitor their emails including the junk/spam folder.

2.2. All lots purchased are subject to a payment deadline Payment is to be made within 24 hours of the invoice being issued.

2.3. All payments are to be made by bank transfer only, to the bank details on the invoice. We do not accept any cash, cheques, card payments or any other form of payment other than bank transfer.

2.4. Please note the invoice number must be used as the payment reference.

2.5. Failure to make timely payment will incur a late payment fee of 5% plus vat per day (until the invoice is fully paid), with a minimum charge of £20 plus vat per day.

3.0. Reserves/provisional bids

3.1. Reserve prices can be amended at any time during and after the sale.

3.2. In circumstances where a bid on any Lot(s) within a sale has not met the established reserve, the bidder authorises Universal Auctions to submit the highest bid tendered by the Account Holder to the Vendor(s) for consideration.

3.3. If the Vendor(s) opt to accept the highest bid presented by the Account Holder within a span of 24 hours from the time of submission, the Account Holder will be promptly invoiced, and such invoices shall be payable by 5pm of the succeeding day.

3.4. Bidding on any Lot(s) does not necessarily require the Account Holder to be the prevailing highest bidder to secure the item. Universal Auctions Group retains the right to submit all bids to the Vendor(s) for assessment. As such, bids placed by the Account Holder on single or multiple lots remain valid for 24 hours after the sale's conclusion.

3.5. Should the Vendor(s) decide to accept your ‘Maximum Bid’ placed, the ‘Account Holder’ will be notified within 24 hours of the auctions ending by receiving your winning payable invoice with a set payment deadline.

4.0. Lot End Times & Removal

4.1. Universal Auctions Group reserves the unequivocal right to withdraw or remove any Lot(s) listed within any sale at any time without providing advance notice to the Account Holder or other parties.

4.2. Pertaining to 'Timed Auctions', the Company reserves the right to amend, alter, or modify the designated end times for any Lot(s) without precedent notice.

4.3. Universal Auctions Group clarifies that all items (or "lots") listed for auction are available at the time of listing. However, Universal Auctions Group Ltd does not guarantee that these items will remain available after the auction concludes (referred to as "after the hammer has fallen"). This suggests there might be circumstances beyond Universal Auctions Group control affecting the item's availability.

4.4. Universal Auctions Group states that it holds no liability for any item that becomes unavailable after the auction or if the seller fails to supply the item. This means Universal Auctions Group does not accept responsibility for situations where the item cannot be provided to the buyer due to reasons that might include, but are not limited to, the item being lost, damaged, or withdrawn by the seller.

4.5. In accordance with this policy, Universal Auctions Group will not entertain any claims related to the unavailability of items. This reinforces Universal Auctions Group position of not accepting liability for such occurrences.

4.6 Universal Auctions Group does offer a remedy in situations where the item is paid for but subsequently becomes unavailable. Universal Auctions Group commits to offering a full refund of the invoice amount to buyers in these scenarios. This means if an item has been paid for and it cannot be supplied for some reason, the buyer is entitled to refund of the full invoice.

4.7. When a lot is closing, should any other ‘Account Holder’ wish to bid on the Lot, the end time will be extended by up to 10 minutes (Auto generated). The will occur each time a bid is placed within the final 10 minutes of the lot closing.

5.0. Buyer’s Premium/ fees

5.1. Each individual lot will carry a Buyer’s Premium ranging from 10-25% applicable to the ‘Hammer Price’ – This will differ from lot to lot. Refer to the ‘Additional Fees’ tab on each individual lot for clarification on the additional fees.

5.2. All Buyers Premium charges are subject to VAT @ 20%.

5.3. Each lot will have an internet surcharge applied which will range from 1%-5%. This will be subject to VAT @ 20%. Please see the additional fee tab on each lot for clarification.

6.0. VAT Charges

6.1. All lots will be subject to VAT @ 20%. Which is applicable to the Hammer Price and the buyer’s premium/fees. Unless otherwise stated in the lot description.

6.2. Some Lots may be sold with no vat on the hammer price. Refer to the lot description for clarification.

7.0. VAT Refunds / Export

7.1. Buyers intending to export a Lot will be charged an additional deposit equal to the VAT due on each Lot purchased.

7.2. To qualify for a refund, the Goods must be exported in accordance with relevant export regulations. Valid written evidence of compliance should be sent by the Buyer to the vendor at their registered address and to the Auctioneer via email (admin@universalauctions.group) within 28 days of the date of collection. The auctioneer does not take ownership of any goods sold in the auction and therefore accepts no liability for VAT refunds unless specifically agreed with all parties prior to the sale. The auctioneer’s role is to facilitate communication between buyer and seller to ensure fair treatment during the transaction.

7.3. If satisfactory evidence is not provided, goods will be subject to UK VAT at the standard rate of export, and the Buyer will forfeit any deposit they may have paid in accordance with clause 7.1.

7.4. The Auctioneer cannot refund the VAT on the Buyers’ Premium under any circumstances.

7.5. If the Buyer chooses to export their purchases using their own transport, VAT will be levied and refunded upon satisfactory documentation supporting the removal of the Goods purchased, assuming the terms of clause 7.2 are satisfied.

7.6. Notwithstanding any other clause in these Conditions, the Auctioneer reserves the right to refuse:

  1. to accept any Bid from a Bidder; or
  2. to sell any Lot (in whole or in part) to a Buyer.

8.0. Viewing of Lots

8.1. Universal Auctions group advise viewing all Lots listed within the Auction prior to bidding.

8.2. Viewing is strictly appointment only. Viewing must take place prior to placing any bid(s) on the lot(s) you wish to view & prior to the auction ending.

9.0. Description Accuracy

9.1. As an agent of the seller, Universal Auctions Group provides lot descriptions based on information furnished by the seller. However, we do not warrant the accuracy of these descriptions.

9.2. Buyers are encouraged to thoroughly inspect images and descriptions and seek further information if required before bidding.

9.3. All lots are sold "as seen," and no guarantees or warranties, whether expressed or implied, are provided. It is the ‘account holders’ responsibility to do their own due diligence.

9.4. Descriptions/images are provided by the seller at the time of listing.

9.5. Each Lot which has a mileage/hour reading in the description is not to be deemed as ‘Warranted’ unless otherwise stated.

10.0. Lot Images

10.1. Images are provided by the seller at the time of listing.

10.2. Images of lots are for Guidance Purposes Only and should not be relied upon to reflect the true condition of any lot / item.

10.3. In some cases, lots within the auction maybe listed with ‘Stock Images’. In this case images are for illustration purposes only.

11.0. Registration Plates

It falls to ‘Account Holder’ to undergo their own due diligence with any visible ‘Registration Plate’ which can be visibly seen within the ‘Lot Images’.

11.1. Some lots will be listed with ‘Private Registration Number’. In this case it is the account holders responsibility to do their own due diligence to seek if the ‘private number plate’ is included in the sale.

11.2 No ‘Private Registration Number’ is included within the sale unless otherwise stated.

12.0. Collections

12.1. Upon receipt of payment, Universal Auctions will issue the collection details to the email address on the bidding account.

12.2. Collections are by strict appointment only. If no appointment is made, collection may be refused.

12.3. The collection instructions of determined by the ‘seller’ of the lot/s the buyer has won.

12.4. In some circumstance, lots will have specific collection dates/times. These will be stated in the auction details or on an individual lot description. Failure to collect within these dates will result in storage charges being applied or the disposal of you lot/s with no refund being issued.

12.5. A grace period of 5 days will be granted for collection. From the 6th day, a storage charge of 5% plus vat per day, with a minimum charge of £20 plus vat, will apply.

12.6. Goods will only be released upon settlement of all applicable fees. Failure to pay fees or collect goods within 20 days will result in goods being deemed abandoned, with ownership transferring to Universal Auctions and no refund provided.

13.0. Delivery

13.1. Universal Auctions Group, as the auctioneer, do not offer delivery on any lot.

13.2. A lot description may state that delivery is available. This is added to a description on the advice of a vendor.

13.3. If a vendor can offer a delivery quote, this will not be supplied until the full invoice has been paid.

13.4. Universal auctions group, as the auctioneer, cannot be held liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused through a delivery arranged by a seller. No refund will be provided as a result of any delivery issues/failures. This is between the buyer and the seller.

14.0. Storage Charges

14.1. Universal auctions Group reserve the right to charge a daily storage Fee of 5% plus vat per day, with a minimum charge of £20 plus vat per day for failure to collect within the stated terms (see 12.0. Collections) (Charged 7 Days A Week, Including Bank Holidays).

14.2. Storage charges are applied to each lot at the charge stated in 15.1.

14.3. Storage Charges must be settled prior to release of any Lot(s) for Collection / Delivery.

14.4. Failure to collect your goods within 20 days of receiving the details to collect, will result in the lots being classed as abandoned and ownership transferring over to Universal Auctions Group. No refund will be issued.

15.0. VDI Checks

15.1. All lots listed with a ‘registration number’ available have been VDI checked by Universal Auctions group prior to being listed.

15.2. All details added to the description are correct at the time of listing.

15.3. Universal Auctions Group advise all bidders to do their own research and due diligence prior to placing a bid to fully satisfy themselves.

16.0. Refunds / Buy Backs / Renegotiations

16.1. Universal Auctions Group and our vendors want to make it clear that there will be no refunds, buybacks, renegotiations, or contributions provided if buyers are dissatisfied with any lots they purchase during the sale. It’s important for buyers to carefully consider their purchases and be aware of this policy.

17.0. Terminations of auctions & Account holders

17.1. Universal Auctions may terminate or suspend auctions at any time without prior notice.

17.2. Universal Auctions may terminate or suspend your access to our services at any time without liability.

17.3 Universal Auctions Group reserves the right to temporarily block any account holder from further bidding activity at any stage—whether before, during, or after any sale.

17.4. Universal Auctions Group reserve the right to have any Account Holder permanently banned from any further bidding activity throughout the platforms Universal Auctions Groups auctions are listed on.

18.0. Late Payment

18.1. In the event an account holder does not make payment of their invoice within the specified time (see 2.0), late payment fees will apply.

18.2. Late payment fees are charged at 5% plus vat per day (until the invoice is fully paid), with a minimum charge of £20 plus vat per day.

18.3. Universal Auctions Group will also pursue the ‘account holder’ via Court / CCJ / Bailiff Action on the ‘Account Holder’ as well as any linked associates or Limited Companies linked to the ‘Account Holder’ to recover the outstanding funds and additional charges incurred during this process.

18.4. Universal Auctions Group, reserve the right to issue such proceedings to recover all losses incurred by the sale not being completed, Universal Auctions group will also apply for any Legal Fees, payable interest and any other costs that maybe incurred.

19.0. Warranty and Liability

19.1. Universal Auctions, as the auctioneer, is not a party to the contract between the buyer and the vendor. We disclaim liability for any action or default on the part of the vendor or buyer.

19.2. Descriptions provided for lots are based on the vendor's information, and Universal Auctions assumes no liability for any losses, damages, or injuries resulting from the sale.

19.3. Trade-only auctions are NOT governed by the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, or any other consumer contract-related legislation. By bidding, the bidder acknowledges and agrees to this exclusion.

20.0. Confidentiality and Non-Circumvention

20.1. Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of any information obtained during the auction process and not disclose it to any third party.

20.2. Buyers shall not engage directly with Universal Auctions' vendors, suppliers, or consignors without Universal Auctions Groups express written consent.

21.0. Feedback and Disputes

21.1. Universal Auctions values feedback to enhance its services. Any issues should be directly communicated to Universal Auctions for resolution.

21.2. Feedback concerning vendors should be directed to them and not posted publicly on Universal Auctions' platforms.

21.3. Universal Auctions may take appropriate action against false or misleading feedback that adversely affects the company's reputation.

22.0. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

22.1. These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where Universal Auctions Group Ltd is registered.

22.2. Any legal action or proceeding arising from or related to these terms and conditions shall be exclusively brought before the competent courts of that jurisdiction.

23.0. Amendments to Terms of Sale / Terms & Conditions

23.1. Universal Auctions Group reserves the right to modify our ‘Terms of Sale’ or ‘Terms & Conditions’ at any time without prior notification to any account holder or potential bidder.

23.2. It is the responsibility of all returning bidders to make themselves aware any updated Terms of Sale / Terms & Conditions.

All lots are sold at the discretion of Universal Auctions Group Ltd and as such reserves the right on behalf of themselves or the vendors too:

  • To set a reserve price: Universal Auctions Group Ltd has the authority to establish a minimum price, known as the reserve price.
  • To bid on behalf of a vendor, up to the vendor's reserve price: Universal Auctions Group can place bids on an item during the auction on behalf of the vendor, but they will not exceed the vendor's reserve price.
  • To allow the vendor to bid up to the reserve price: The vendor, in certain circumstances, may have the option to bid on their own item in order to reach the reserve price. This is sometimes referred to as a "vendor bid" and is typically allowed up to the reserve price.
  • To withdraw a sale at any time: Universal Auctions Group Ltd can decide to cancel or withdraw the sale of an item at their discretion. This could happen for various reasons, such as an error in the listing or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • To rearrange, consolidate or vary the order of sale: The auctioneer has the flexibility to change the order in which items are presented for bidding. They may also choose to consolidate similar items or make other adjustments to the auction proceedings as they see fit.
  • Be obliged to disclose the reserve price of an item: Universal Auctions Group may or may not disclose the reserve price of an item to potential bidders. Some auctions keep the reserve price confidential, while others may choose to make it known to the bidders.

By participating in Universal Auctions Group Ltd. auctions, you acknowledge having read, understood, and agreed to abide by these Terms and Conditions. Your cooperation is appreciated, and we wish you success in your bidding endeavours.

2. Account and Invoicing

All payments are to be made by bank transfer only.

Payment must be made within 24 hours of receiving the invoice.

Payments are to be made to:
Account Holder: Universal Auctions Group Ltd
Sort Code: 23-14-70
Account Number: 30162319
IBAN: GB88 TRWI 2314 7030 1623 19
Swift/BIC: TRWIGB2L
Wise Address: 56 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ, United Kingdom
Please use your invoice number as the payment reference.

We do not accept any cash, cheques, card payments and any other from of payment other than bank transfer.

If payment is being made from overseas, we require you banks payment confirmation to be provided to us with 24 hours of the invoice being issued.

3. Privacy & Cookies policy

At Universal Auctions Group, our aim is to provide you with the best possible experience, ensuring your satisfaction today, tomorrow, and in the future. We are committed to transparency regarding the personal data we collect and process. As the data controller, Universal Auctions Group processes the personal data of users who visit our online platform and use our services. Please review this privacy policy carefully to understand how we handle personal data and to be aware of your rights.

1: What Information Do We Hold About You?

1.1 Data You Provide: We process information that you provide to us. For example, when you register as a user or contact us via email or phone.

1.2 Account Details: If you intend to make purchases through Universal Auctions Group, you must create an account on one of the platforms where we list our auctions.

1.3 Profile Information: To facilitate your use of our services and ensure smooth operations, we will request specific details such as your full name, email address, telephone number, address, and date of birth. This information serves both as a means of contacting you and as a verification process.

This encompasses the information you provide during registration on our site, participation in live auctions, and subscription to our services or those of third-party bidding platforms.

1.4 Communication Information: When you contact us or when we reach out to you, we collect information related to the purpose of the communication. This includes details you provide over the phone or via email. Additionally, we may receive information from other sources about you or the lots you are selling or buying.

1.5 Verification Information: If you intend to sell lots, we may request a scan or photograph of a valid proof of identification (such as a government-issued photo ID). This information, which should clearly display your full name, date of birth, and ID number, is necessary for identity verification and to combat online fraud.

1.6 Other Information: We may also solicit feedback from you regarding our services through email or online surveys. Your input is highly valued, and any personal data collected (such as your email address or User ID) will be used internally for analytical purposes to enhance our services.

2: How We Use Your Information

First and foremost, we utilize your data to fulfill our contractual obligations to you and ensure that you receive the best possible service.

We use your data to enable your access and use of our online bidding platform and website, including payment features.

When you make a purchase from us, as part of the buying and selling process, we collect personal information such as your name, address, and email address.

Additionally, we will use your data to send you updates, payment requests, payment reminders, and collection notes.

When you participate in auctions to buy or sell lots, other users may access data such as your name, address, and telephone number. This information is necessary for completing transactions, including arranging item collection or delivery and resolving any issues that may arise.

Your data also enables us to provide customer service through various channels, such as email and telephone, enhancing your bidding experience.

Internally, processing your personal data helps us maintain efficient administration and deliver an improved auction experience.

Additionally, when you browse our website, we automatically receive your computer’s internet protocol (IP) address. This information informs us about your browser, device, and operating system, allowing us to optimize our platform for your browsing and bidding experience.

Regarding email marketing (if applicable), with your consent, we may send you emails about upcoming auctions, announcements, and other updates.

Our commitment to offering a trusted and secure online platform necessitates processing and storing your data to comply with legal obligations.

We process data for various purposes, including:

  • Fraud Prevention: We actively work to prevent, trace, and counter fraudulent or unlawful use of our services.
  • Dispute Resolution: Our data processing supports registering, mediating, and resolving disputes.
  • Record Keeping: We comply with record-keeping regulations to maintain accurate and necessary information.
  • Legal Obligations: In the context of criminal or other investigations by competent authorities, we fulfill our duties.
  • Terms & Conditions Enforcement: We process data to enforce our Terms & Conditions.

3: Security

To safeguard your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and adhere to industry best practices. Our measures aim to prevent inappropriate loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction of data.

The security of your data is of paramount importance to us. We have implemented security procedures and restrictions to protect your data from unauthorized access, destruction, or alteration.

While we do our utmost to protect your data, we strongly recommend that you choose a secure password and keep your login details confidential.

Regarding data retention, we will retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. If a longer retention period is required by law, we will either remove or anonymize your personal data.

4: Consent

4.1 How We Obtain Your Consent: When you provide us with personal information for specific purposes—such as completing a transaction, verifying your credit card, placing an order, arranging delivery, or processing a return—we infer that you consent to our collecting and using that information solely for the intended reason.

4.2 How to Withdraw Consent: If you’ve previously opted in and now wish to change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you. To do so:

  • click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any marketing email you receive.
  • Alternatively, you can contact us directly at info@universalauctions.group to withdraw your consent.

5: Disclosure

We may disclose your personal information under specific circumstances:

  1. Legal Obligations: If required by law, we will disclose your information.
  2. Terms of Service Violation: In cases where you violate our Terms of Service, we may disclose relevant data.

Additionally, we may retain certain information to:

  • Comply with national laws and regulations (e.g., tax laws).
  • Prevent and counter fraud.
  • Resolve disputes.
  • Enforce our Terms and Conditions.

6: Third Party Services

Certainly! Here’s a reworded version of the provided text:

"In general, the third-party providers we use will collect, use, and disclose your information only to the extent necessary for them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, some third-party service providers have their own privacy policies regarding the information we need to provide to them for purchase-related transactions. We recommend that you read their privacy policies to understand how they handle your personal information.

In particular, it’s important to note that certain providers may be located in or have facilities situated in a different jurisdiction than either you or us. If you choose to proceed with a transaction involving third-party service providers, your information may become subject to the laws of the jurisdiction(s) where those service providers or their facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or our website’s Terms of Service.

When you click on links within our store, they may direct you away from our site. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites, and we encourage you to read their privacy statements.

7: Age of Consent

By using this site, you affirm that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence. Additionally, if you are the age of majority and have minor dependents, you consent to their use of this site.

8: Changes to this Privacy Policy

We retain the right to modify this privacy policy at any time. Therefore, we recommend that you review it periodically. Any changes or clarifications will become effective immediately upon posting on our website.

In the event that our website is acquired or merged with another company, your information may be transferred to the new owners to facilitate continued product sales.

Questions & Contact Information

If you need to access, correct, amend, or delete any personal information we have about you, register a complaint, or simply want more information, you can reach out to us via email at info@universalauctions.group or by mail at:
First Floor Office,
3 Hornton Place,
London W8 4LZ