We make it easy to buy at auction
Our diverse offerings of fine art, decorative arts & design, fine jewellery, and fine wine and spirits are presented on our online auction platform as well as via private, confidential acquisitions.
We offer works by renowned and emerging artists, desired designers and makers across diverse genres. We are also the go-to auction company for unique estate and specially curated auctions. Every item offered is carefully researched, catalogued and presented, and our specialists are always pleased to provide further information including condition reports when desired.
In total, we conduct close to 100 auctions through the year — offering virtually something for everyone.
Find Out About Our Auctions
Our website allows you to search for specific items, artists or genres.
Sign up for our email alerts to find out about upcoming auctions and events and ensure you never miss another auction.
How to Register
You must register before bidding in any of our auctions; it’s quick and easy to do:
Register for our online auctions through our website. You only need to register once to participate in all of our online auctions.
- Register to participate in an online auction
BIDDING MADE EASY
Our bidding platform provides a convenient and secure method to buy at auction.
Once registered, you can place online bids anytime up to the noted end time for the desired lot.
Note: Lots may go into ‘overtime’ if a bid is received in the final five minutes of the auction.
The countdown clock is reset an additional five minutes, until no further bids are received.
You can also leave ‘absentee’ or ‘max’ bids by entering the maximum amount you would like to bid up to;
the software will bid on your behalf up to that amount.
Find out more about the new features we’ve added to our bidding platform.
Try our new mobile app for even easier access to our auctions.
Payment & Getting Your Purchased Item(s) Home
*Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, pick up arrangements may differ. Please be sure to check with our office for the most recent information.
Following payment you can either pick up your purchased auction items or arrange for shipping. Items purchased and not picked up after 10 days following the auction may be subject to storage fees on a per lot basis at $15/week, unless Waddington’s is otherwise notified at time of payment.
Note: Waddington’s does not undertake packing or shipping.
The purchaser must arrange for the services of an independent shipper and is responsible for all shipping, insurance expenses and any necessary export permits that may apply. We will, on request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but are not responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information.
Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs from our Toronto office may be obtained from:
PakShip
905-470-6874
905-470-6875
416-293-8225
[email protected]
www.pakship.ca
Safer Shipping Inc. (Formerly Envoy)
416-299-3367
[email protected]
www.safershipping.ca
Please note information regarding specialised shippers may be provided by department specialists; don’t hesitate to ask.
Pick Up & Shipping from Vancouver
Please note that lots in our Waddington’s West auctions are located in Vancouver, B.C.
PakMail604-472-6245UPS604-559-5446
Additionally, contact us to find out more about interoffice shuttle to our Toronto office at 275 King Street East.
Detailed Information
What you should know before the auction
*Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, access to our offices and galleries may be impacted. Please be sure to check with our office for the most recent information.
- Make sure you know when our auctions are offered. Signing up for our email notifications ensures you won’t miss out.
- You have to be registered to bid in all our auctions – and it’s important to be aware of the closing date and time.
- Our auctions include live and online previews (live previews are subject to COVID-19 restrictions); check the dates and times.
- Explore the online catalogue of any auction you are interested in. Items are researched by our specialists and catalogued with an image, description and estimate, enabling you to bid confidently.
- Online catalogues and galleries can be found by selecting an auction on our Upcoming Auctions and Events Page.
- Attend the preview whenever possible. You’ll have the opportunity to examine items and take advantage of the expertise of our onsite specialists.
- Our new Lot Report feature provides additional information including condition reports. Additional information is always available from the specialists
- Follow us on social media for the insider’s view – we’re on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The fine print of how you can bid and what you need to know:
Online Auctions
- Registration for our online auctions is completed through our website. Once registered, you will be assigned a bidding number for an online auction when you log into your account.
- Once registered, you can place online bids anytime up to the noted end time for the desired lot. If a bid is received in the final five minutes of the auction, the countdown clock is reset an additional five minutes, until no further bids are received. You can also leave absentee bids by entering the maximum amount you would like to bid up to; the software will bid on your behalf up to that amount.
Live Auctions
- Registration for a live auction is free and can be completed at our office during the preview for an auction or on the night (or afternoon) of the auction or online.
- Raise your hand or your bidding number given to you when you registered. Don’t be shy. After your first bid, the auctioneer will watch for you.
Absentee Bids
- Clients unable to attend an auction can register an absentee bid with our office. Waddington’s will bid on your behalf to purchase the item at the lowest bid not exceeding your specified maximum. Absentee bids must be received at least four (4) hours prior to the auction.
- You will find a link to the Absentee Bid Form form on each Live Auction’s detail page.
- You can also leave an Absentee Bid by filling out the Absentee Bid Form PDF and faxing it to (416) 504-0033
Telephone Bids
- An alternative manner to participate in the auction is through telephone bidding. As with absenting bidding, you must contact our office at least four hours in advance of the auction to arrange telephone bidding. Once registered for a telephone bid(s) you will be contacted by telephone by a member of our team just prior to the item being offered. Please note due to volume of telephone bid requests, this service is available on a first come-first served basis.
- You will find a link to the Telephone Bid Form form on each Live Auction’s detail page.
- You can also leave a Phone Bid by filling out the Telephone Bid Form PDF and faxing it to (416) 504-0033
Fees
- Waddington’s charges a buyer’s premium of 20% on the hammer price.
- Buyer’s premium and applicable Canadian taxes are added to the hammer price. Taxes are exempt for any items directly shipped from our premises out of Canada.
Conditions of Sale
Payment
- We accept payment by cash, traveler’s cheque, bank draft, electronic transfer (fee applies), VISA or Mastercard (up to $25,000). Canadian clients may also use INTERAC direct debit and certified cheque as payment.
- Payment for purchases must made within 48 hours of the auction.
Shipping
- Waddington’s does not undertake packing or shipping. The purchaser must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper and is responsible for all shipping, insurance expenses and any necessary export permits that may apply. We will, on request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but are not responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs may be obtained from us.
Storage Fees
- Items purchased and not picked up after 10 days following the auction may be subject to storage fees on a per lot basis at $15/week, unless Waddington’s is otherwise notified at time of payment.
Important Notice for International Clients
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- Restrictions exist regarding the import and export of species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). This includes but is not limited to items made of or containing bone (whalebone, etc.), ivory, tortoise shell, seal skin, rhinoceros horn and any other animal part and is strictly controlled or forbidden by most countries. Please review your country’s laws before bidding on pieces made of or containing these restricted items. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to inquire about and obtain the proper permits for artwork purchased that may contain restricted materials, if such permit can be obtained.
- Please contact the department for further assistance. For more information please visit www.cites.org