Laura’s Auctions

Terms & Conditions

Please read carefully. Placing a bid means you accept these Terms in full.

Pickup Policy

All pickups must be scheduled in advance through our online system. Unscheduled pickups are NOT permitted under any circumstances. To schedule your pickup, please use our website: laurasauctions.com. Appointments are required to ensure your items are prepared and to maintain efficient warehouse operations. If a buyer or their shipper arrives without a scheduled appointment, we will NOT be able to release any items.

These Terms are provided in English and constitute the legally binding agreement.

1Agreement to Terms

By registering and placing a bid, you enter into a legally binding agreement under Texas law. Bidding confirms that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions in full.

These Terms apply to this specific online only auction in which you place a bid. The version in effect at the time of bidding governs that transaction.

Laura’s Auctions reserves the right to update these Terms & Conditions at any time for future auctions.

2Final Sale

All auction sales are final.

No returns, cancellations, exchanges, or refunds will be issued for any reason, including bidding errors, misunderstandings, or buyer’s remorse.

Winning a lot creates a binding purchase obligation. The bidder is solely responsible for all bids placed through their account.

Accidental bids, bidding errors, forgotten maximum bids, internet interruptions, software errors, or use of the bidder’s account by another person do not invalidate a purchase. Once the auctioneer declares a lot sold, the sale is final.

Failure to complete payment or pickup in time may result in account suspension, late fees, resale of items, and legal collection.

3Condition of Items

All items are sold in their “present” as-is condition.

Most inventory consists of antique, vintage, imported, reclaimed, and architectural items commonly exhibit age-related characteristics including, but not limited to, surface wear, patina, repairs, restorations, shrinkage, movement, oxidation, insect damage, fading, foxing, craquelure, veneer movement, replaced components, historical modifications, and other imperfections consistent with age and prior use. Such characteristics generally contribute to the authenticity and historical nature of these items and should not be considered defects.

Descriptions, photographs, measurements, authenticity statements, dates, origin, maker, style, period, provenance, condition notes, and similar information are provided as general guidance only and represent the auction house’s professional opinion based upon information reasonably available at the time of cataloging. They are not warranties or guarantees and should not be relied upon as statements of fact.

Buyers are responsible for reviewing all photos carefully, visiting the showroom for preview, or requesting clarification before bidding.

If you are uncertain about condition, size, or suitability, do not bid.

Failure to inspect does not invalidate a sale.

4Auction Administration & Adjustments

We reserve the right to:

  • Refuse or cancel any bid
  • Remove, combine, or separate lots
  • Correct listing errors before or after a lot closes
  • Resolve bidding disputes

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors may occur in cataloging, photography, lot identification, measurements, descriptions, item matching, or other administrative aspects of the auction process.

If a material mistake is identified including mismatches, incorrect listings, or other errors on our part, Laura’s Auctions reserves the right to cancel the sale and issue a full refund to the bidder.

Issuance of such refund constitutes complete resolution of the matter. Liability is limited strictly to the refund of the purchase price paid.

All auction house decisions are final. Laura’s Auctions shall not be responsible for interruptions in internet service, bidding platform failures, software errors, power outages, communication failures, or other technical issues that may affect bidding or the conduct of the auction.

5Pickup & Removal

Pickup is available Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; we are closed on Mondays.

All pickups must be scheduled in advance through our online system. Unscheduled pickups are NOT permitted under any circumstances. To schedule your pickup, please use our website: laurasauctions.com. Appointments are required to ensure your items are prepared and to maintain efficient warehouse operations. If a buyer or their shipper arrives without a scheduled appointment, we will NOT be able to release any items.

Risk of Loss While Awaiting Pickup or Delivery

All items become the responsibility of the buyer immediately upon the auctioneer’s declaration of “sold.” While Laura’s Auctions will make reasonable efforts to safeguard purchased items pending pickup or scheduled shipment, we shall not be liable for any loss, theft, damage, breakage, deterioration, fire, flooding, weather-related events, acts of God, accidents, or other unforeseen circumstances affecting purchased property at any time after the sale. Buyers are encouraged to retrieve items promptly and obtain any insurance they deem necessary.

Loading & Protection

Buyers and their representatives are responsible for bringing all necessary moving materials and equipment, including blankets, straps, padding, tie-downs, and labor required to safely transport their items.

Laura’s Auctions does not provide packing materials or load-securing services.

Buyers are solely responsible for proper handling, securing, and transport. Any damage occurring during loading or after release of the item is the responsibility of the buyer.

Buyers are expected to retrieve purchases promptly.

Anyone collecting items on behalf of a buyer must present the invoice at pickup, either an electronic copy or physical.

6Storage Policy

Buyers have 21 calendar days from the date of sale to remove their items free of charge.

Beginning on the 21st calendar day after the date of sale, storage fees apply at:

$3 per day, per invoice

Storage is calculated from the original purchase date.

If a buyer makes additional purchases within forty-five (45) days, all invoices are tied to the original purchase date for storage and abandonment purposes. Additional purchases do not reset or extend the timeline.

No merchandise will be released until all outstanding balances and accrued storage fees are paid in full.

Buyers assume all responsibility for injuries, vehicle damage, property damage, or other losses occurring during loading, removal, transportation, or installation of purchased property.

7Abandonment

Any invoice that remains unpaid or uncollected forty-five (45) days from the original purchase date will be deemed abandoned.

Abandoned property may be resold, liquidated, donated, or otherwise disposed of without notice and without refund.

The original invoice will be cancelled upon resale or disposition.

Storage fees will continue to accrue until the item is disposed of.

Extensions beyond forty-five (45) days will not be granted.

8Payment Terms

A valid payment method is required to register and bid.

Accepted payment methods include:

  • Credit or debit card
  • Bank transfer
  • Venmo (+2% processing fee applied to total invoice)

Payment is due at auction close unless otherwise stated.

An invoice becomes past due seven (7) calendar days after auction close if payment has not been received in full.

If payment remains unpaid after seven (7) days, a 10% late fee will be added to the outstanding balance weekly until paid in full.

Unpaid invoices may result in:

  • Weekly 10% late fees
  • Immediate account suspension
  • Resale of items without notice
  • Legal action

Buyers are responsible for unpaid balances, accrued late fees, court costs, filing fees, and reasonable recovery expenses.

9Chargebacks

Initiating a chargeback or payment dispute will result in:

  • A $100 administrative fee
  • Immediate account suspension
  • Legal recovery action

No items will be released during an active dispute.

10Shipping & Transfer of Risk

Auction items are sold primarily for pickup.

Large furniture, oversized items, doors, large marble pieces, chandeliers, mirrors, and fragile architectural items are pickup only. No exceptions.

Select smaller items that can be safely boxed may be eligible for shipment via UPS.

Shipping for small items is available only by request through our website.

Buyers requesting shipping must submit a shipping request form through laurasauctions.com. Requests submitted by phone, text, or email will not be processed.

Once a request is submitted, Laura’s Auctions will provide a quote that includes:

  • Carrier shipping cost
  • Packing materials
  • Handling and labor

Shipping, packing, and handling fees must be approved and paid in full prior to shipment.

Certain items, including but not limited to pottery, porcelain, ceramics, marble, stone, glass, mirrors, chandeliers, artwork, and other fragile or delicate property, carry an inherent risk of damage during transportation regardless of the level of care exercised in packing and handling. While Laura’s Auctions takes reasonable care to package eligible items securely and economically, we cannot guarantee safe arrival of fragile items. Buyers are strongly encouraged to purchase shipping insurance through the selected carrier. Unless otherwise required by law, Laura’s Auctions is not responsible for damage, breakage, loss, or insurance claim outcomes occurring during or after shipment. Any claims for loss or damage must be made directly with the carrier or applicable insurance provider.

Buyers may request shipping insurance through the carrier when their shipping quote is prepared. Insurance is optional but strongly recommended, particularly for fragile, delicate, antique, marble, glass, pottery, porcelain, ceramic, mirror, and artwork items. All insurance premiums are the buyer’s responsibility.

All shipments are made at the buyer’s risk. Laura’s Auctions staff protects the shipment to the best of their ability.

For larger items, buyers are responsible for arranging their own transport.

Buyers may use the app UShip, which provides competitive nationwide shipping options.

All third-party shipping arrangements are strictly between the buyer and the carrier.

Laura’s Auctions does not supervise, control, or guarantee the services of any independent carrier or shipping company, including recommended providers. Buyers assume all risks associated with third-party transportation.

Carrier Documentation

Laura’s Auctions does not execute, acknowledge, or sign bills of lading, delivery receipts, inspection reports, liability waivers, electronic acknowledgments, or any other documents presented by third-party carriers, movers, freight companies, or shipping representatives. Our employees are not authorized to accept contractual obligations or assume liability on behalf of the auction house by signing any carrier-provided paperwork or electronic devices.

If a carrier requires documentation at pickup, Laura’s Auctions may, at its sole discretion, require the carrier to sign the auction house’s own pickup release form. No document presented by a buyer or third-party carrier shall modify, replace, or supersede these Terms & Conditions unless expressly agreed to in writing by Laura’s Auctions.

Carrier Documentation and Employee Authority

Only an officer or authorized manager of Laura’s Auctions may execute any agreement that modifies these Terms & Conditions or accepts liability on behalf of the auction house. Warehouse staff, loaders, temporary employees, contractors, and other personnel are not authorized to sign bills of lading, delivery receipts, inspection reports, liability waivers, electronic acknowledgments, or any other documents presented by buyers or third-party carriers that create contractual obligations or modify these Terms & Conditions.

Any signature or acknowledgment provided by an unauthorized employee shall be deemed solely as confirmation that items were released, if applicable, and shall not constitute acceptance of liability, contractual obligations, or additional terms on behalf of Laura’s Auctions.

Risk transfers to the buyer immediately upon pickup or release of the item to any third party, including UPS or FedEx.

Release of purchased property to the buyer or to any person or company designated by the buyer constitutes complete delivery. From that moment forward, all responsibility for handling, transportation, storage, loss, and damage rests solely with the buyer and/or the buyer’s chosen carrier.

Laura’s Auctions is not responsible for damage, delay, loss, or insurance claim outcomes once an item leaves our premises.

Buyers requesting a shipping quote remain subject to all pickup, storage, payment, and abandonment provisions of these Terms & Conditions. Requesting a shipping quote does not extend payment deadlines, storage periods, or the forty-five (45) day abandonment period. If a buyer fails to approve shipping charges, arrange pickup, or otherwise respond within the applicable timeframes, the items will be treated as abandoned and may be reauctioned, resold, liquidated, donated, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with these Terms & Conditions, without further notice or refund.

11Measurements

All dimensions are approximate and provided for reference only.

12Limitation of Liability

Maximum liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount paid for the specific item in question.

We are not responsible for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

13Unforeseen Circumstances

Laura’s Auctions shall not be liable for delays, cancellations, schedule changes, or inability to perform caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, flooding, hurricanes, fire, power outages, labor disputes, transportation interruptions, pandemics, government actions, acts of God, or other unforeseen events.

14Conduct

Professional and respectful conduct is required at all times.

Disrespectful, abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior toward staff, whether in person or through any form of communication, may result in refusal of service, suspension of communication, cancellation of bidding privileges, or permanent ban from future auctions.

Participation in our auctions is a privilege, not a right.

15Severability

If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is determined to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

16Governing Law

All matters shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

Exclusive jurisdiction lies in Montgomery County, Texas.

Acknowledgment

By registering for and participating in this auction, each bidder acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions in their entirety. Placing a bid constitutes acceptance of these Terms and creates a legally binding agreement under the laws of the State of Texas.

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