*AUCTIONS WILL RESUME IN JULY*
Dear Customers
We hope that you are all well ?
In this email we wanted to outline our vision for moving forward with the “Biddys” and share with you the plans and procedures we have put in place.
Covid 19
As the government has recognised auction houses as “non-essential retail”, and part of phase two of the easing of lockdown, beginning 1st June, we have addressed the government guidelines.
- Defined the number of customers that can reasonably follow 2m social distancing within the auction and the outdoor selling area.
- Considered total floorspace as well as likely pinch points and busy areas.
- Limited the number of customers in the auction overall and in any particular congestion areas, for example doorways between outside and inside spaces.
Auctions
We plan to restart the auctions on Saturday 25th July. This will ensure that we are inline with all the government guidelines and have time to put in place the new format that the auctions will follow.
From the start we have prided ourselves on being a local auction for local people and so we will not be going down the route of online bidding. We feel that this would destroy the whole ethos of “Biddys” and increase the charges too much for our clients.
Sanitizer stations will be set up in reception. Customers will be required to use hand sanitiser as they enter the premises to reduce the risk of transmission by touching products while browsing.
We would ask customers to avoid handling products whilst browsing, if at all possible.
To view alone unless they need specific assistance, to reduce congestion and contact between customers.
Masks must be worn when entering the sale-room.
We have Extended the sale-room into the tented area so that we can ease the flow, reduce bottlenecks areas, accommodate more people on the sale day and display the lots more effectively. There will also be the usual outside lots.
We are looking into putting Screens in place so that lots can also be viewed in other areas as the auction is taking place.
Bidding can take place in the following ways...
- In person.. we will have to limit the number of people present on the day to 20 people. This could be increased to 30 if the weather is good.
- Commission bids can be left via form, text or email.
- Telephone bids are welcomed, We have made 6 phone lines available. These can be arranged by contacting the office via phone/email prior to the sale.
Staff
Most of our staff are considered to be in the vulnerable category including Roger our resident auctioneer. We have now put in place a temporary team that will be on hand to assist you on the day. Bridget will step into the role of auctioneer until it is safe for Roger to return.
Catalogue
The original style list catalogue will still be available to view online
, download and print.
There will also be individual photographs of each lot with a detailed description, condition report and estimate.
We hope that this will reduce some need for viewings.
Clients will also be invited to email to enquire about any specific lots.
Viewings
Viewings will be held 20th - 24th July 10-6pm.
There will be an appointment system put in place to ensure no more than 4 people are viewing at one time. Further details of how to book will be available on our website soon.
A one-way flow system will be put in place.
This is also to take into consideration the neighbourhood and ease parking.
Please note that for viewing days and on auction days that the following will apply.
- No parking will be available onsite. We would encourage customers to come by bike or on foot where possible.
- Refreshments will no longer be available.
- Toilets will be for staff use only.
Collection/Delivery
Collection of lots will be again organised via an appointment system. Delivery can also be arranged but door to door only at this time. Please contact the office for further details of areas covered and pricing.
Payments
Contactless payments can be made and bank transfers.
Yard sales
Some of you may have noticed via our social media pages that we have been carrying out “Yard sales” This was initially set up to clear our storerooms and provide an alternative to using landfill as our normal charity outlets were closed.
We have had a very positive response from the local community which surrounds our office and people have enjoyed browsing and having some human interaction again not to mention a little retail therapy.
This has also enabled Biddys to continue to have presence in the market place and promote the auction to a wider audience.
House clearance
We have continued to carry out our house clearance service and it is looking like June and July are going to be very busy for us.
We have had to cut our team into pairs which means a job will take a little longer, but we were mindful of placing safety before speed.
As the lockdown continues to ease, we hope to return to a full team soon.
Finally, we would like to thank all of our customers for supporting us, being patient and understanding through this difficult time.
