Jane and Alex’s bargain hunting auction adventure!
Arthur Johnson & Sons Auctioneers.
Over the past 50 years, their Saturday auctions, together with the hugely popular market on the site, have become a renowned feature of Nottingham life.
However, you turn up to the auction hoping to buy half a dozen sheep or a Friesian cow, you’re out of luck! The last sale of livestock took place in January 1993, by which time Arthur Johnson’s furniture auction had developed into one of the largest in the UK.
Every Saturday, thousands of people walk through the famous Cattle Market gates to sample the auction’s unique atmosphere. For some, it’s an established tradition, passed down through the generations.
Around 2000 lots are offered each week with between four and six salerooms operating simultaneously. Lots include: Antique and later furniture; Antique and later collectables; Modern secondhand and ex-catalogue furniture; Classic contemporary furnishings; Machinery & general (tools, white goods, building materials).
Lots can be viewed via Arthur Johnson’s catalogues which are available from their website (HERE) or you can visit the salesrooms on Friday 12.45-6.15pm or from 9am on the day. Auctions are held every Saturday and start at 9.30am, running simultaneously in each of the salesrooms.
If you can’t attend the auction in person, you can submit an absentee bid form or you can even watch the sale via a live webcast and bid online. Find out more: HERE.
Bargain-hunting at the auction.
Alex and I previewed the furniture lots on Friday, the day before the auction. We weren’t necessarily going to bid on the day, unless we spotted something in particular. However, we were both curious about what was on offer and we also wanted to find out what the lots sold for when the sale results were published the following week.
One of the things to bear in mind if you plan on bidding at an auction, either in person or via an absentee bid, is the fees you’ll need to pay on top of the price the lot sells for when the hammer falls.
At Arthur Johnson’s, buyers pay 22% (inclusive of VAT) on top of the hammer price for furniture. Some goods, such as electricals, also incur VAT. Although the fees may sound steep, even after they’ve been taken into account you can still get some fantastic bargains.
So what did Alex and I think of the lots on offer at Arthur Johnson’s? Check out our Youtube video and find out!
Jane and Alex’ auction adventure.
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Can you get a bargain at the auctions?
Alex and I had a great time mooching around the furniture lots at Arthur Johnson’s auction salesrooms. We knew it was possible to buy furniture at a great price as one of Alex’s friends did it a few years ago. She was advised by her Estate Agent to buy some furniture for the unfurnished house she was selling as it would help buyers to see it’s potential and could add thousands to the asking price. She went along to Arthur Johnson’s one Saturday, managed to furnish the entire house for £400, and was able to sell for £30k more than the unfurnished price!
Even once the fees are factored in, you can still save hundreds of pounds on furniture at the auctions. Some people buy at auction so they can resell it on eBay or Gumtree, whilst others simply want to grab a bargain or furnish a property on a budget.
This Extending oak dining table sold for £180.
Example sale results at Arthur Johnson & Sons, auctioneers (Saturday 21st January 2017).
- Pine 6 drawer chest: £35
- Oak Kingsize bed frame: £55
- Brown leather 3 seater sofa: £52
- Oak 3 drawer bedside chest £35
- Oslow white painted dining table and 4 chairs: £70
- A set of four Byron white high gloss hydraulic bar stools: £80
- Oak extending dining table: £180
*Please note: A Buyers Premium of 22% (inclusive of VAT) will be charged on top of the hammer price.
Over to you.
Alex and I had a great time at Arthur Johnson & Sons Auctioneers and we’re already planning a return visit. Have you ever visited an auction or bought anything at an auction? If so, did you get any bargains? If not, would you consider buying something at auction? As always, I’d love to hear from you.
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