Frequently asked questions

Enter the maximum you're willing to pay. We bid on your behalf in the smallest increments needed to keep you in the lead, and never above your maximum. If someone outbids you, we alert you instantly by bell notification and email.

Bids are binding commitments to buy. We only cancel a bid in exceptional cases — a clear typing error reported within one hour, or a material change to the lot description. Contact support immediately if either applies.

A reserve is the confidential minimum the seller will accept. If the auction ends below it, the lot goes unsold. Lots showing 'Reserve met' will sell to the highest bidder.

Any bid placed in the last two minutes extends the auction by two minutes. This continues until nobody bids, so a last-second bid can never win by surprise.

You get a notification and email within seconds of the hammer, and the lot appears under 'Won' in your dashboard with payment instructions.

Credit and debit cards, SEPA and international bank transfer, iDEAL, Bancontact and Apple Pay. Payment is due within three days of the auction ending.

A small buyer's commission that depends on the department (for example, 4–6% for most categories) plus shipping and any local import duties. The lot page shows an all-in estimate before you bid, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Within three business days of the buyer confirming delivery, straight to your bank account. Payouts are shown in your seller panel.

No. Listing is free — Sernelo charges the seller a small commission only when an item sells. The rate depends on the category (for example, 5% for Motors and Classic Cars, 6–8% for most other departments). The exact rate is shown before you publish each listing.

The seller ships, using our discounted insured courier rates. High-value and fragile lots are collected by specialist fine-art handlers.

Sellers dispatch within their stated handling time, usually 1–3 business days. Domestic delivery takes 2–5 days and international 5–14 days, plus customs clearance.

Cross-border purchases may attract duties and VAT set by your country. The shipping estimator on each lot page gives an indication before you bid.

Report it within 48 hours with photographs. Every shipment is insured and we'll arrange a refund or claim on your behalf.

Yes, within 30 days if it isn't as described, and always where the seller offers returns. Consumer-law rights apply where relevant to your country.

Every purchase is covered against non-delivery, significant misdescription and inauthenticity. If a lot isn't genuine, you get a full refund including shipping.

A category specialist reviews each submission before it goes live, checking provenance, hallmarks, references and condition. Read more on our Trust page.

Go to Sell, then complete four steps: item details, photos, pricing and shipping. A specialist reviews it, usually within one business day, before it goes live.

Choose auction for rare or hard-to-price objects where competition drives the result, and Buy it now for items with a known market value that you want to sell quickly.

Most commonly the photos were insufficient, the item fell outside our accepted categories, or authenticity couldn't be verified. You'll always get a reason and can resubmit.

Endangered species material, firearms, stolen or looted cultural property, counterfeits and any item prohibited by law in the seller's country.

Tap the heart on any lot to add it to your watchlist. You'll be alerted when it enters its final hour or when someone outbids you.

Open your account panel and adjust which alerts you receive by bell and by email. Outbid alerts are always on while you have an active bid.

Yes — use the globe icon in the header to switch between EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, HKD and AED. Prices convert throughout the site.

Contact support. We can close an account once all open bids, sales and payouts have settled.