Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Swiss Heritage Collections website, services, and participation in our auctions. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

Swiss Heritage Collections reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of our services following any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.

To use our services and participate in auctions, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Not be prohibited from participating by applicable law
• Not have been previously suspended or banned from our services

Registration to Bid

All bidders must register and be approved before participating in any auction. Registration requires valid identification and, in some cases, a financial reference or deposit. We reserve the right to refuse registration at our sole discretion.

Bidding

• All bids are binding and irrevocable once placed
• The highest bidder at the fall of the hammer shall be the purchaser
• We reserve the right to refuse any bid or to withdraw any piece at any time
• In the event of a dispute between bidders, we may re-offer the piece or determine the successful bidder at our discretion
• Online bids are subject to our technical systems; we are not liable for technical failures

Buyer's Premium

A buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price. The premium rate is stated in the auction catalogue and on our website. The premium is typically 25% of the hammer price up to CHF 500,000, 20% on the portion between CHF 500,001 and CHF 2,000,000, and 15% on amounts above CHF 2,000,000.

Payment

• Payment is due within 7 days of the auction unless otherwise agreed
• We accept wire transfer, certified check, and major credit cards (subject to a surcharge)
• Title to the piece passes to the buyer upon receipt of full payment
• Late payment may incur interest at 1.5% per month and storage charges

Collection & Shipping

• Pieces must be collected within 14 days of the auction
• Risk passes to the buyer upon collection or, if shipped, upon delivery to the carrier
• We can arrange shipping through approved carriers at the buyer's expense
• Export licenses may be required for certain items; buyers are responsible for compliance

All pieces are sold “as is” and “where is.” While we endeavor to describe pieces accurately:

• Descriptions are statements of opinion, not fact
• Condition reports are available upon request and should be reviewed
• Buyers are encouraged to inspect pieces in person before bidding
• Images may not reflect true color or scale
• Estimates are guides only and should not be relied upon as predictions

We make no warranties or representations regarding authenticity, attribution, condition, or value beyond those expressly stated in the piece description.

If you consign items for sale:

• You warrant that you are the legal owner or authorized agent
• You grant us the right to photograph and describe the item
• Terms will be set out in a separate consignment agreement
• Payment to consignors is typically made 35 days after the auction, subject to receipt of payment from the buyer
• Reserve prices must be agreed in writing before the auction

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• Our total liability shall not exceed the hammer price and buyer's premium paid
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of third parties (shippers, customs, etc.)
• We make no warranties regarding the availability or uninterrupted access to our website

All content on our website, including text, images, catalogues, and logos, is owned by Swiss Heritage Collections or our licensors. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use this content without our express written permission.

These Terms are governed by the laws of Switzerland. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Geneva, Switzerland.

For questions about these Terms, please contact us: