Sell

How it works: Why sell with us?

The difference between us and traditional auction houses is that we offer a fully transparent process with 0% seller commission. Unlike a traditional auction house’s often-encountered 15%+VAT seller fee, we also have no listing fees, no minimum commission fees, no online fees, no insurance fees, and no collection fees. Yes, these are all real fees that auction houses charge, and often you won’t even know about them until after the sale. When the hammer falls at £1,200, you get £1,200.

Our commission is only charged to the buyer, and even that is lower than what the big auction houses demand. We don’t have hundreds of staff or multiple premises driving up costs. Instead, we focus on providing better service at a lower cost. If you have a question, you’ll get a direct reply – no going through reception or being passed down the chain of command. We treat all clients with respect, no matter the value of their items.

When you sell with a traditional auction house, private sellers are always given the worst deal. You’re automatically placed on the highest commission rate, while dealers negotiate lower rates and safer reserves because of the volume they provide. Private sellers are the bread and butter of these auction houses – their items attract buyers – but they’re not treated fairly. At Boyar Armoury, we don’t believe in discriminating against fellow collectors. That’s why we offer a blanket 0% seller commission on all auctions.

What’s the catch?
There isn’t one. We’re a small, two-person family business working tirelessly to deliver digital auctions with no surprises. Your items are published on the same platform as Bonhams, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s (the-saleroom.com), reaching the same global audience.

Specialist Arms and Armour Auctions
As a specialist arms and armour auction house, we thoroughly vet every item to ensure authenticity and quality. This builds trust with our buyers, who are often willing to bid higher than they would at a general auction. We’re an established international dealer of antique arms and armour with a trusted network of collectors. We know what prospective buyers want to see, and we provide detailed condition reports and answers to their questions.
Because we are highly familiar with international customs regulations for antique weapons, we are the only auction house to offer in-house shipping of arms. This is a huge advantage for buyers, who can avoid paying the extortionate fees charged by companies like Mailboxes and ThePackengers. By offering in-house shipping, we make the process straightforward and cost-effective, which encourages more buyers to bid confidently.

Additional Services
We can also advise on historically respectful restoration to maximize an item’s value. Our optional in-house services include light restoration and etching of Indo-Persian arms – something no other auction house offers. These restorations can significantly enhance an item’s appeal and even double or triple its value. After all, buyers purchase with their eyes.

We also offer competent and free appraisals. For larger collections, we are happy to travel to pick up items at no extra cost. Alternatively, you can meet us at popular militaria fairs, such as the Birmingham Arms Fair and Kempton Arms Fair, to discuss or deliver your items in person. We pride ourselves on being flexible and will gladly work with you to arrange a solution that makes sense logistically for us and is convenient for you.

As a collector and auction buyer myself, I know firsthand that buying from a general auction is often a gamble, while buying from a specialist auction is nearly always a pleasure. That’s what we aim to deliver.