FAQs

To bid in our auctions, simply create an account at ncm.bid/register then register for the auction you wish to participate in. You will be asked to input bank card details, this is simply for identity verification only. You will not be charged from this card.

Once you’ve signed up, the NCM team may need to approve your registration. You’ll receive an email as soon as you’ve been approved to bid, subject to your details being verified. 

A max bid is the most you’re willing to bid on a particular item. After placing a max bid, your bid will increase incrementally whenever another bidder makes a bid that is less than your max. You will only pay up to your max bid – if someone bids higher, you’ll need to raise yours to be the highest bidder.

We host two types of auctions:

Live auctions are traditional auctions – held at a building, yard or farm and broadcast over bidspotter.co.uk via webcast. You can bid in real time over the internet, or place a max bid before the auction goes live so you don’t miss out.

Online timed auctions take place without an auctioneer calling the sale. Each lot is open for bidding over a defined period. When time is up, the highest bidder wins the lot, unless the lot is subject to a reserve price. The majority of our auctions are timed online auctions.

No. All bids are legally binding and cannot normally be withdrawn once submitted.

A buyer’s premium and VAT may apply depending on the auction and asset type. All applicable fees are displayed at lot level before bidding.

Yes. Viewing information is listed within each auction catalogue. You will need to register for the auction before requesting an appointment. We strongly recommend inspecting items before bidding, as all assets are sold as seen. Book your viewing by calling 01302 898260 or email us on info@ncmauctions.co.uk

Your highest bid is treated as valid even if the reserve isn’t met at the time of placing it. Vendors often reduce reserves in the closing hours and put items on sale, so when you place a bid, remember: you’re bidding to buy.  

Full payment must be made within 48 hours of the auction ending, with lots removed on the dates stipulated. This is a legally binding contract to purchase – if you’re not sure, don’t bid. We’re unable to cancel purchases after the auction closes.

Payment methods:

1. BACS (preferred)
2. Cash up to £7,500, payable at the NCM Auctions office in Doncaster prior to collection
3. Card 

BACS is our preferred payment method as it ensures you receive your collection note as quickly as possible. If you pay by secure card payment link (BidSpotter), the payment can take up to 3 working days to clear. Your collection note will only be sent once cleared funds are received.

Failure to pay may result in account suspension, restrictions on future bidding, and recovery action for losses and associated costs.

It’s the buyer’s responsibility to arrange decommissioning, dismantling, removal and loading within the specified timescale. We don’t offer a delivery or decommissioning service unless this is stated in the individual lot description.

Auction collections are time-critical. Only bid if you can remove your lots by the stipulated collection dates – failure to do so may result in lots being forfeited and/or storage charges being applied. Method statements and risk assessments will be required where specified.

Once payment has cleared, you will receive a collection note via email. Contact NCM on 01302 898260 to pre-book a collection time. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

You’ll need your collection note email and valid ID. Please also bring the appropriate manpower and resources to decommission and/or remove your lots.

We’re sorry if you’re unhappy with your purchase. We always want our bidders to have the best experience possible on our website. 

When you bid in an auction, there is no right of return – everything is sold as seen. Just like in an auction room, bidding online is a contractual commitment to buy. That’s why we recommend finding out everything you can about a lot before you bid: view in person where possible, or request a condition report.

A declaration that the item will be sold exactly as it appears, including any faults or imperfections 

An additional charge on the hammer price paid by the winning bidder. It’s charged by the auctioneer to cover administrative expenses and goes directly to the auction house, not the seller.

20% VAT is paid on top of the hammer price and Buyer’s Premium. 

A written description of an item’s condition, usually provided in the lot description. If anything is unclear, you can contact the auction house using the ‘Ask a question’ button on the lot page.

The leading online bid. To take the lead, you’ll need to bid higher than this amount.

Sometimes a lot’s end time is extended by 5 minutes. This mirrors a real auction – whenever a new bid comes in, the countdown extends before the final hammer.

The final sale price for the lot when the hammer falls – excluding any other charges such as Buyer’s Premium, taxes, online charges, and delivery.

The amount your next bid will need to increase by to take the lead (for example, if you bid £20 and need to pay £25 to lead, the increment is £5). Increments are set by the auctioneer.

The maximum amount you’re willing to pay for a lot. You tell us the maximum, and we bid on your behalf – you don’t even need to watch the auction online. We only bid as much as you need to in a live auction.

The lowest hammer price a lot can be sold for. This protects the seller from a lot being sold below its value.

The price at which bidding starts. You’ll need to bid at or above the opening price to take part.

A timed auction is one where NCM sets the time the lots end and the size of the increments. There’s a bidding window, and whoever bids highest wins (as long as the reserve is met). You’ll know it’s a timed auction because the end time is displayed on the lot page.

A bid made during a timed auction. You can place a timed bid between the start and end of the auction. If you’re the highest bidder at the end (and have met the reserve), you win the lot.