Buying & Selling

How to Buy

Merrill's makes buying at auction simple and accessible. Follow these steps to participate:


1. Preview the Items

  • In-Person: Visit our gallery in Williston, VT, on sale day or by appointment.
  • Private Previews: Available by scheduling in advance.
  • Remote Previews: Request condition reports, additional photos, or phone descriptions from our staff.

2. Choose Your Bidding Method

  • In-Person Bidding: Register at the gallery and receive your bidding paddle. Bring a photo ID; dealers need a sales tax ID.
  • Absentee Bidding: Leave a maximum bid by filling out an absentee bidder card during the preview. The auctioneer will bid on your behalf up to your stated maximum.
  • Phone Bidding: Reserve a phone line in advance (minimum bid: $200). Please provide a backup bid if we can't reach you during the auction.
  • Internet Bidding: Please register on LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable for real-time online bidding or leave bids ahead of the sale. Ensure you have a reliable internet connection.

3. Understand the Terms

  • Condition: All items are sold AS IS with no warranty. Preview thoroughly before bidding.
  • Buyer's Premium: 18% for in-house sales, 26% for online sales, Additional 2% fee for credit card purchases over $7,500
  • Sales Tax: 7% Vermont sales tax applies unless you provide a valid Vermont resale certificate.

4. Payment & Pickup

  • Payment Methods: Cash, check, wire transfer, and major credit cards.
  • Pickup: Collect items within one week. Arrange third-party shipping if needed; Merrill's does not ship directly.
  • Storage Fees: $50 per week for items left beyond 14 days without arrangements.
  • Shipping: Third-party shipping arrangements can be made; Merrill’s does not ship or provide quotes. Jewelry watches, or precious metals purchased remotely by new buyers may be held for up to 30 days for fraud prevention.

How to Sell

Merrill's makes the auction process straightforward and rewarding for consignors. Follow these steps to sell your items with us:


1. Free Consultation & Evaluation

  • Initial Assessment: Bring your items to our Williston, VT gallery (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Call ahead for large items or estates.
  • On-Site Visits: For larger collections or entire estates, we offer free consultations at your location.
  • Remote Evaluations: Send photos by email for preliminary estimates. Don’t discard anything until our evaluation—valuable items may not be obvious.

2. Consignment Agreement

  • We offer competitive flat-rate commissions based on the final hammer price.
  • No Hidden Fees: No extra charges for insurance, photography, transportation, storage, advertising, or internet listing.

3. Item Preparation & Auction Placement

Inventory & Contract:

  •  You’ll receive an inventory list and contract when we accept your items.
  • Secure Storage: Your items are insured and safely stored until the auction.
  • Auction Scheduling: With over 20 auctions annually, we place items in the sale that best matches their audience, maximizing your return.

4. Marketing Your Items

  • Local to International Exposure: We market through local, regional, national, and international channels.
  • Auction Catalog: Items are photographed and listed online, accessible for live, phone, absentee, and internet bidding.

5. Auction Day & Payment

  • Bidding Process: Our multi-channel bidding (in-person, online, phone, absentee) ensures broad buyer participation.
  • Payment: You’ll receive payment within 30 days of the auction.
  • On-Site Auctions: Selling an entire estate? We also offer on-site auctions, handling everything from setup to cleanup. This method maximizes returns by selling all items in place, including those less obvious in value.

For more details or to start the consignment process, contact our staff. Let Merrill's help you achieve the best results for your items!

Merrill's offers live, public auctions at our Williston, VT gallery, where you can join in-person bidding or preview items beforehand. Since all items are sold AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO WARRANTY IMPLIED OR EXPRESSED, we highly recommend examining lots closely during the preview. Condition reports (verbal or written) reflect our opinion only and do not guarantee age, quality, merchantability, or authorship. Our staff is available to provide detailed descriptions, additional images, and assistance with shipping contacts, payments, or reserving your seat for sale day.

For more information about our services, give our team a call: (802) 878-2625