Gloucestershire Beekeepers' Association

1.   The Auction of Bees and Beekeeping equipment is being organised by the Gloucestershire Beekeepers' Association, (hereinafter called “The Association”), acting solely in the capacity of agent between the buyer and seller.

2.  The Association will appoint Stewards to supervise the running of the Auction, and an Auctioneer to conduct the bidding. The Stewards have the right to refuse entry of any lots of bees or equipment without giving the reasons for doing so.

3. A 'Buyers Number' system is used to speed up selling. Before the sale all prospective buyers must register at the office, giving their full name and address, an entry fee of £1.00 will be charged and they will be issued with a numbered bidder’s card. Bids will normally be in steps of not less than £1.00 and bids will not be accepted without showing a bidder’s card to the auctioneer’s steward on concluding a successful bid. Only one bidder’s card will be issued to any individual for the full duration of the sale, and will not be re-issued under any circumstances. This Card must be surrendered to the auction office on settlement of your account at the end of the auction.

4.   The Auctioneer will have the right to accept or reject any bid; in the case of any dispute the Auctioneer's decision is final. All sales transactions, other than those carried out by an authorized equipment supplier, must be carried out via the official auctioneer, the association reserves the right to charge commission if it becomes aware of private transactions taking place on the auction site.

5.  Lots are sold “as seen” and the association takes no responsibility for any statements or descriptions of the lot(s) made by or on behalf of the vendor, and no statement by any member of the Association will be deemed a guarantee of the value or worth of the lots sold.

6.   When selling several identical lots, the auctioneer may offer the bidders a 'Buyers Option'. That is the successful bidder for the first lot has the option on the remaining lots at the same price. If the offer is not taken then normal bidding restarts.

7.   Commission will be charged to the Vendor at 12.5%. No commission is charged to the buyer or on any unsold lots.

8. The Vendor must complete an Auction Entry Form, supplied by the association and shall include the following information:-

(i)            The name and address of the vendor.

(ii)          A Description of the goods.

(iii)         Any reserve (if required).

(iv)         The signature of the vendor.

The signature of the vendor confirms that they agree to abide by these rules and any directions or decisions of the Auctioneer, and auction stewards without reservation.

9.    Lots may only be entered on the day of the sale. Items will only be accepted at the auction site between 8.00am and 11.00am on the day of the sale. All items must be checked in by a steward, and details of each lot entered on an auction entry form, bidding will commence at 12.00 midday.

10. Lots of live bees, including the container in which they are housed, may be entered for sale. They must be allowed to fly and will be inspected for disease and be assessed. Details of which will be prominently displayed.


11. Precautions against disease: The Auction stewards have the right to refuse to admit any lots to the auction, on the grounds that they may give rise to the risk of transmission of bee disease. All Bees offered for sale must be free from notifyable diseases and all equipment offered for sale must be clean and in good serviceable condition. Vendors intending to sell stocks of bees are advised to obtain evidence that the specific stocks that they intend to sell have been inspected by a Bee Disease Officer and pronounced to be disease free, within two weeks of the auction. No drawn comb of any kind will be accepted for sale.
12. Lots become the property of the buyer at the drop of the hammer. Unsold lots and lots failing to reach their reserve price remain the responsibility of the Vendor.
13. Payment must be made on the day of sale, before goods are removed and can be by cash or by cheque (with Cheque Card) up to the stated limit. Cheques for values above the limit stated on the cheque guarantee card will only be accepted by prior arrangement with the treasurer. The Association does not accept payment by Debit or Credit card.
14. No lots may be removed from the auction site without a copy of the purchase receipt form issued by the auction office, after payment has been made, for all of the lots bought by any individual bidder.
15. Payment to vendors, after deduction of commission, will be by cheque within about 45 days of the Auction.
16. All lots must be removed from the auction site by 6.00pm on the day of the sale. The association reserves the right to dispose of lots left on site after this time, and a minimum disposal charge of £25 will be levied.

17. The Association will not be held responsible for any loss, damage, injury, illness or accident, whatever the cause, occurring before, during or after the Auction.