Legal
Last updated: August 2026
Every lot ships directly from the consignor to the winning buyer. HeritageBids coordinates the shipment on the consignor’s behalf, arranging a carrier suited to the lot and confirming the details with the buyer, but we are not ourselves a party to the shipping contract — that contract is between the carrier and the buyer.
Once payment is received in full, we begin coordinating packing and shipment. You will receive tracking information by email once your lot has shipped.
Each lot is published with a low and high estimate, representing our specialist’s opinion of its likely hammer price based on comparable sales, condition, and market demand. Estimates are opinions, not guarantees, and a lot may sell above, below, or within its published range.
Some lots carry a reserve, a confidential minimum price agreed with the consignor in advance, below which the lot will not be sold. Where a reserve applies and is not met, the lot will be passed and recorded as unsold. Reserve prices are never disclosed to bidders during or after the sale.
Shipping cost depends on the size, weight, value, and destination of the lot, and is confirmed at invoicing — after the sale closes, before you pay. There is no markup added to the carrier’s quoted rate.
Invoices are issued within 24 hours of the sale closing and are due within 5 business days. Once payment clears, most lots ship within 5–7 business days. Large-format and fragile lots may take longer, as noted in Section 5.
HeritageBids ships worldwide. Import duties, customs fees, and any local taxes applicable at the destination country are the buyer’s sole responsibility and are not included in the shipping quote or invoice.
Customs clearance times vary by country and are outside our control. If you have questions about import requirements for a specific country before bidding, contact us and we will help where we can.
Oversized rugs and carpets, large framed works, and other bulky or fragile lots are packed by hand to protect the piece in transit. This additional care may require extra lead time before a lot ships; where this applies, we will communicate the expected timeline to you promptly at invoicing.
Buyers in the New York area may arrange to collect a lot in person by appointment, at no shipping cost. Collection details, including address and available times, are confirmed at invoicing once payment has been received.
If your lot arrives damaged, photograph the packaging and the item before unpacking further, and contact us at contact@heritagebids.com within 5 business days of delivery. Because every shipment is insured at hammer value, a confirmed transit claim is resolved through that insurance, and we will guide you through the process. If a shipment does not arrive within a reasonable time of the carrier’s estimated delivery window, contact us and we will investigate with the carrier directly.
Questions about shipping, delivery, or a specific lot can be directed to contact@heritagebids.com or (646) 572-4525.