Why Buy At Auction:

Auction buying offers you both the advantage of getting to name your own price and having a tremendous selection of goods to choose from. In most instances, you can save from 20% to 50% off gallery prices. And with over 3,000 items on the auction block every year, Craftsman Auctions offers you the best selection of Arts & Crafts furniture, pottery, metalwork, and lighting, you are likely to find anywhere.

As a specialty auction house with a nationwide clientele, our job is to make your buying experience pleasant, and satisfying. Everything we sell is guaranteed as described, we deliver nationally, and we make bidding in person, by phone, or by absentee bid easy. Order one of our catalogs and find out how great we are to deal with.

How Much To Pay

All lots in our auctions carry two estimates. The low estimate in most cases, is what we consider to be the modest wholesale price, and the high estimate to be a high wholesale price or a low retail price. Most items we sell bring within our estimated range, but many times prices will exceed this range. This is partly because gallery prices can be far higher than the estimates on items, and under competition, prices can approach gallery levels. Also, many items we offer are rare or exceptional, and competition from serious collectors pushes prices up.

Absentee Bidding

Over half the bidders participating at every sale we have, do so either via phone or left bid. Some of them preview in person, but most bid without ever having set foot in the gallery.

Every item we sell is guaranteed to be authentic and as described. By providing a full color catalog, a comprehensive web-site, written condition reports, and verbal condition reports, we offer you all the information you need to make an informed buying decision. We are set up to arrange for, or provide, delivery on all purchases.

Convenient, faxable, absentee bid forms are available in every catalog or can be sent to you upon request.
All absentee bids are executed to purchase items for you at the lowest possible bid.

Phone Bidding

For the serious bidder who can not attend the sale and wants more control than afforded by leaving absentee bids, phone bidding is the ideal solution.

To phone bid, you merely fill out the phone bid form in your auction catalog and fax it in to us. We will call you from the auction just before your lot comes up for sale, and you can bid, live just as though you were in the auction hall.

Because phone bids slow down the auction and the number of phone lines available is limited, we request that you be prepared to bid at least to the low estimate when requesting a phone line.

Bidding in Person

Attending an auction live is not only a great way to add to your collection, it is an event that is educational as well as filled with fun and drama. An item is sold about every forty-five seconds, so plenty is always happening (If you are new to attending auctions you needn't worryl even though fast paced, the auctioneer speaks clearly and gives you enough time to bid).

One of the great values of attending our auctions is the opportunity to see from 400-800 pieces of Arts & Crafts in one building. It is a tremendous learning opportunity, both to see the breadth of items available and to better understand what appeals to you for your own home.

When picking out what to bid on in a sale, it is usually good to have second and third choices. Seasoned auction goers know that some items will sell at bargain prices and others will soar. Know your limits and have an alternate plan if your first choice sells too high.

Craftsman Auctions does everything we can to make your day at the auction an enjoyable one. We always value your suggestions on improving our service and hope you come back often.

Bidding Online

Bidding online information here.

Nationwide Delivery

Craftsman Auctions offers many delivery options for your purchases. Smaller items can be sent insured UPS or Fed Ex. Large items are often delivered via our own trucks throughout the United States. Where time constraints or location requires other shipping arrangements, we can arrange delivery for you through private trucking services. We are always glad to work through your shipper.
To arrange shipping after an auction, call the location where the item was purchased and our staff will assist you.

Guarantees

If there is an error in the catalog description on an item you purchase, we will accept its return within four weeks from the sale date. No returns are accepted under any condition after that date. Pottery is guaranteed free of hairlines, repairs, or chips, unless stated. Minor factory flaws or minor scratches may not be noted in the catalog. If we ship you pottery, you have three days to examine it. If you buy at the auction hall, we request you examine it before removal from the hall. Items shipped UPS are mailed within a week of receipt of payment. Craftsman Auctions has no control over pick up and delivery dates of items shipped via common carrier.

Catalogs

Craftsman Auctions catalogs are posted free of charge, online, two weeks before every sale at www.ragoarts.com

In addition, 300+ page print catalogs can be purchased by calling (609) 397-9374. Catalogs are $75 for a one year subscription or sell for $45 each. Past catalogs, when available, can be ordered at a discount.

Terms of Sale

Payment
Cash or Approved Check. New buyers paying by check must establish credit with us 48 hour prior to the auction All sales are final subject to the terms of our guarantee. Payment in full at the auction unless other arrangements have been approved. Absentee and phone bidders agree to pay within 72 hours of notification of successful bids. All accounting, billinf, and notification of successful bids is done from Pittsfield, at (413)448-8922. Prices realized can be obtained at (800)448-7828 on Monday and Tuesday after the auction.
Shipping and Delivery
Craftsman Auctions will help buyers arrange shipping. We can pack & ship via UPS, fully insured. We deliver in our own truck almost anywhere in the United States, fully insured, for a fee. We will work with the shipper of your choice. Please make sure your shipper carries insurance, because we are not responsible for damage, or loss of objects while in their care.
Absentee Bidding
If you leave a bid by phone, by mail, by fax, or in person, we will execute it to purchase the item for you at the lowest possible price. When two identical left bids are made, the first one takes precedence All absentee bidders names and bids are held in strict confidence.
Phone Bidding
Phone Lines are available for buyers on a first come, first serve, basis. To phone bid, you must be prepared to bid up to at least the low estimate on the lot. Please request phone lines as early as you are able.
Buyer's Premium & Credit Cards
All lots are subject to a 20% buyer's premium.
State Sales Tax
All purchases except those shipped out of state to absentee bidders and those to dealers with valid resale certificates are subject to sales tax from the State the sale takes place in.
Guarantee and Returns
If there is an error in the catalog description on an item you purchase, we will accept its return within four weeks from the sale date. No returns are accepted under any condition after that date. Pottery is guaranteed free of hairlines, repairs, or chips, unless stated. Minor factory flaws or minor scratches may not be noted in the catalog. If we ship you pottery, you have three days to examine it. If you buy at the auction hall, we request you examine it before removal from the hall. Items shipped UPS are mailed within a week of receipt of payment. Craftsman Auctions has no control over pick up and delivery dates of items shipped via common carrier.