TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers Inc. (“Dupuis”) strives for accuracy in describing the lots offered for sale. All descriptions in the catalogue and any saleroom announced amendments are our opinion only—to the best of our knowledge. Prospective buyers should inspect lots before bidding. We make no warranties beyond our ‘Limited Warranty’ regarding authenticity, maker’s marks, signatures, age, condition, quality, materials, gems, weights, measurements, origin, or provenance. By bidding in this auction, you accept that you are bound by these ‘Terms and Conditions of Sale.’

BUYER’S PREMIUM
Each lot is subject to a buyer’s premium of 25%. The total purchase price is the aggregate of the bid price plus the buyer’s premium.
APPLICABLE TAX
The buyer must pay Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on the total purchase price unless exempted by law. This Tax does not apply to purchases being shipped to destinations outside Canada.

AS IS
Most jewels and watches offered at auction show signs of previous wear and may have been repaired or altered; all lots are sold on an “AS IS” basis. The catalogue descriptions reflect our opinion only and may not necessarily be complete. We make no warranties regarding the correctness of any information provided, either expressed or implied, and Dupuis disclaims responsibility. Illustrations in the catalogue and images on our website are for identification only and not intended to represent the actual colour, size or condition of items offered.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Notwithstanding the preceding, within twenty-one (21) days after the sale, the purchaser may notify Dupuis that the lot has been misrepresented. The item must be returned within three (3) days in the same condition as at the time of sale. We may rescind the sale and refund the purchase price if our experts are satisfied that the catalogue (and any amendments) are incorrect.

INSPECTION OF LOTS
A Preview is held to facilitate your inspection of lots with appropriate lighting and staff to assist. In addition to the catalogue descriptions, technical details are available as Condition Reports. However, prospective buyers must inspect each lot upon which they intend to bid and rely on their own judgment or that of independent advisers.

CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY
Some designers, jewellers, or manufacturers may not issue certificates or documents of authenticity upon request. Unless indicated in the catalogue, Dupuis will not be required to provide the purchaser with a certificate or record of authenticity from a designer, jeweller, or manufacturer. The failure of a designer, jeweller, or manufacturer to issue such a certificate or document will not constitute grounds to rescind the sale. Under such circumstances, Dupuis will not be held liable for expenses, costs, losses, or liabilities.

WATCHES
All watches should be viewed personally by prospective buyers to assess their condition. Virtually all timepieces have been repaired in the ordinary course of wearing and may contain replacement parts, and watch cases and bracelets may include after-market diamonds. All watches are sold “AS IS”.

DIAMONDS AND COLOURED STONES
Prospective buyers are advised that coloured gemstones and diamonds may be enhanced by various means to improve their clarity or colour. Specific treatments are standard practices within the jewellery industry. For example, the heating of coloured gemstones is an accepted enhancement method and is generally considered permanent under stable circumstances. Methods of enhancement used on various gemstones include dyeing, laser drilling, irradiating, bleaching, oiling, filling, coating, faceting and polishing. Unless the catalogue description explicitly states that the gemstone is of natural colour or clarity, prospective bidders should assume that some treatment may have been used and the enhancement may not be permanent.

CONDITION REPORTS
Catalogue descriptions generally do not refer to the condition or quality of lots. However, we are pleased to provide extra details upon request. Such information reflects our opinion only and may not necessarily be complete. For more information on specific lots, please get in touch with our specialists or cataloguers.

ESTIMATES
The estimate below each description is the opinion of our specialists. Where possible, these are based on considering the results of similar items at past auctions. Estimates are not definitive and should not be relied upon as representations or predictions of actual selling prices.

REGISTRATION
Bidders in live or online auctions are required to pre-register. Registrants attending a live auction will be provided with a numbered paddle for bidding purposes. Registrants are responsible for payment of purchases resulting from all successful bids acknowledged to their paddle number. Transfer of purchases to another person or paddle is not permitted. Lost paddles must be reported immediately.

LIVE AUCTION PROCESS
The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser in a live auction. In the event of any dispute during the sale, the auctioneer may, at his sole discretion, determine the successful bidder or re-offer the lot. The auctioneer’s decision is final. The auctioneer will acknowledge and record your paddle number if your bid is successful. The auctioneer reserves the right to refuse any bid or bidder and advance the bidding increments at his discretion. Each lot offered for sale may be subject to a protective reserve set by the consignor or auctioneer. The auctioneer may direct an employee to bid on the consignor’s behalf to protect the reserve.

Lots are sold at a pace of 60–80 lots per hour, and the standard bidding increments are as follows:


$ 0 to $ 500 by $ 25
$ 500 to $ 1,000 by $ 50
$ 1,000 to $ 2,000 by $ 100
$ 2,000 to $ 5,000 by $ 200
$ 5,000 to $ 10,000 by $ 500
$ 10,000 to $ 20,000 by $ 1,000
$ 20,000 to $ 50,000 by $ 2,000
$ 50,000 to $ 100,000 by $ 5,000
$ 100,000 to $ 200,000 by $ 10,000
$ 200,000 to $ 500,000 by $ 20,000

ABSENTEE BIDDING
If you cannot attend the auction but wish to bid by proxy, please use the form at the back of the catalogue. Please supply references if you have not purchased at our auctions within the past three years.

Requests for absentee or telephone bidding should be received at least 24 hours before the start of the sale. When identical bids are received, the first one acknowledged by the auctioneer will take precedence. Telephone bidding is subject to the availability of lines during the auction, and it is strongly recommended that bids be placed early. Dupuis offers these bidding alternatives as a convenience to prospective buyers and will not be held responsible for errors or failures in executing such requests.

ONLINE BIDDING
Dupuis Live allows you to see and hear the auctioneer in real time and was developed to make your auction purchasing even more convenient. For more information please visit our website at www.dupuis.ca.

TIMED AUCTION PROCESS
Bidding on each lot typically closes at 30-second intervals. However, if a bid is placed within 10 minutes of a lot’s closing time, bidding for that lot will be extended to 10 minutes. Therefore, such lots may not close in numerical order.


CURRENCY OF SALE
Bidding is in Canadian Dollars. However, as a convenience to international bidders, Dupuis provides approximate estimates in other currencies.Prospective buyers’ responsibility to independently ascertain the exchange rate of their respective currencies.

PAYMENT
Purchases are due and payable in full within five (5) business days after the auction. A 2% surcharge is applicable on overdue payments.

In the event of failure to pay within the period mentioned above, Dupuis, without limitation of the rights of the consignor against the purchaser, may resell the lot(s). In such case, the original purchaser will be held responsible to Dupuis and the consignor for any deficiency in price, collection costs, storage fees and overdue payment fees.

BANK TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS
Currency: * Canadian Dollars
Account Name: Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers Inc.
Account Number: 07600-1257663
Beneficiary Bank: Bank of Montreal (BMO)
SWIFT Code: BOFMCAM2
Bank Address: 2601 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3H2, Canada
* Payments in other currencies are subject to the exchange rate provided by Dupuis, upon request, on the date of payment.


OTHER METHODS OF PAYMENT
Payment may be made by certified cheque, money order or bank draft. Otherwise, purchases may not be removed from Dupuis premises before cheque clearance. Cash payment is limited to amounts below $10,000. Payment by VISA or MasterCard may be accepted to a maximum of $50,000.

PICKUP OF JEWELLERY
The schedule for clearance of purchases at Dupuis’ offices at 900-1200 Bay St. is from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM beginning Wednesday 23 November 2022.

SHIPPING AND EXPORT
As a convenience to purchasers and after full payment has been made, we can arrange to have the property packaged and shipped at the purchaser’s request and expense. We will act per the written instructions you provide. The costs for insured shipments vary depending on the destination. All items are carefully packaged; however, Dupuis is not responsible for any loss or damage once shipped.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
It is the responsibility of prospective buyers to check with their government regarding any import restrictions. Some examples are as follows:

  • materials such as ivory, tortoiseshell and coral;
  • watches to the U.S. such as Rolex, Piaget, Corum and Franck Muller;
  • certain luxury watches to other countries.

Per the North American Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA), there is no duty on jewels manufactured in North America when shipped to U.S. or Mexico.