Bidding on whiskies at Scotch Whisky Auctions couldn't be easier! Our auctions run once a month for 10 days and you can place a bid at any time during this time.

Registration

All bidders need to be registered with us first. This attracts a one off fee of £5 (+ VAT if applicable) but once you've registered you're all set for bidding!

Please familiarise yourself with our terms and conditions as well as this buying guide. If you still have questions, please get in touch. Our team will be happy to help!

 

How do I bid on a lot?

When the auction is live, simply find the lots you want to bid on and select the amount from the drop down menu. Please note we use an incremental system so you only need to select the maximum price you wish to pay.

Please make sure that you have examined the lot carefully before you place your bid. By placing a bid on a lot you are confirming that you have examined the item and are satisfied with it. Just like in physical auction houses ALL BIDS ARE FINAL. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

You will only be able to see the lots when the auction is live!

You are able to see all your bids in your account. You can also monitor which lots you've been outbid on and which ones you're winning.

 

What dates are the auctions?

When does the auction close?

The auction will close any time after 7pm on the last evening, on the first Sunday of the month. From that time the software begins to monitor bidding activity on the site and when the interval between bids increases, the auction will begin to shut down. Sniper software, which depends on last-second bids, will merely extend the length of the auction.

We have received many messages of support from people taking part in the auctions, describing our system as fair and equitable. We hope you agree and enjoy a sniper-free bidding environment!

Please note: the auction does not end at 7pm. From experience it is usually after 8.30pm UK time.

 

Are there any fees for the buyers on top of the hammer price?

Yes. Buyers will pay an additional 10% commission, plus VAT where applicable. There is no VAT on the hammer price. We also offer Loss & Breakage liability cover – see below for details.

See the delivery section for shipping costs as well as information on our long term storage solution.

Buyers should be aware that SWA do not pay local taxes, duties and tariff’s that may be applicable in the Country of delivery. Please contact the relevant Customs & Duty office for more information on costs for receiving whiskies and spirits.

Please note that SWA will never falsify declared values on our commercial invoices.

 

How do I know if I've won a lot?

You will receive an email with a link to follow. Please make sure you follow this as it creates the order and will mean we can assist you should you have any questions. If you can't see the email, try logging into your account, there should be a link with “pay bill for items I've won” at the top of your account. Click on this to start the check out process.

If you have any problems, our team will be happy to help if you get in touch.

 

When do I need to pay by?

You must make your payment to us within 7 days of the auction closing to avoid a late payment fee. This late payment fee will be 3% (plus VAT where applicable) in addition to the order total.

 

How do I pay?

Follow the link in the email you will receive or log into your account and click on the link to make a payment. Follow the simple check out process and the final page will provide you with your payment options.

We accept the following payment methods:

• SagePay – just follow the link on your screen to use our secure payment facility. We accept all major credit and debit cards including American Express. There is no additional charge for this.
• Card payment over the phone – call the office on 0141 243 2585
• Cheque – make sure that you include the name on your account with us as well as your order ID.
• Direct bank payment – Details can be found on your Scotch Whisky Auctions Invoice.

Please note that you can only make payments through the website, not the app.

 

I can't find my bottles / order to make a payment?

Just log into your account and click on "view my orders" to find your order. You can follow the links to make the payment online or call the office to pay via the telephone.

 

When will I receive my bottles?

Delivery times will vary according to your location. It can take up to 14 days from receiving your payment to your order being dispatched (provided delivery has been paid for) Some locations will require individually tailored invoices for delivery.

If you have miniatures/bottles 20cl or less, please do not complete checkout with shipping. Please contact us to arrange a custom quote.

Please be patient.The days following the auction closing are our busiest and we work as quickly as possible to dispatch your order. You will receive emails from us with status updates for your order.

See our Delivery and Loss & Breakage liability cover guide for more information.

 

What countries can you ship to?

Have a look at our Delivery and Loss & Breakage liability cover page for a more comprehensive guide, but if you live in a country which permits alcohol imports then we can probably ship to you!

If you're a US resident, please make sure you have checked that your State allows alcohol imports before you bid.

If you're still unsure about shipping to your address please email the office or call for more assistance.

 

Can I collect my bottles from the office?

You're welcome to collect the bottles in person but this must be done after 10am due to Scottish licensing laws. All bottles must be collected within 28 days of auction end. Failure to collect bottles within this time period may result in storage fees being applied to your account or the lot being reentered into the next available auction. We are operating an appointment only system to ensure social distancing, please book a slot on our online booking system.

Can I store my bottles with you?

You can store your bottles here in our dedicated climate and light controlled storage facility. There is no charge for storage but loss and breakage cover fees of 3% of the hammer price + VAT (where applicable) are a compulsory condition of admission. This must be paid for each 12 months in storage. The fee is not pro-rated and each charge covers you for up to 12 months. Should you choose to ship your bottles within the 12 month period you will continue to avail of loss and breakage cover as per our customer service policy and terms and conditions.

You can decide to enter your bottles back into auction at any time while storing them here subject to our usual auction submission deadlines.

Please note that payment for bottles, regardless of whether you are shipping them or storing them for delivery later, payment must be made within 7 days of the auction closing.

Can I nominate someone to collect bottles on my behalf?

If you can't make it to our office to collect your bottles in person you can nominate someone to make the collection on your behalf. We require an email confirmation from your registered account email address confirming the details of the collector and they should bring your order number and photographic ID. Please note orders will not be released without email authorisation and photographic ID. Book an appointment.