I am bidding at a Galerie Kornfeld auction for the first time. What should I do?

The requirement for participation is the submission of the completed First time bidder registration form. Please take enough time and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
You can participate in person in the auctions or submit a written or telephone bid. You can find more information at How do I bid?
You can also create a personal profile with myKORNFELD. With the complete registration you can register for telephone or written bidding at our hall auctions. In addition, you can be activated for participation in our Online Only Auction.

Are the auction sales public?

Yes, our auctions are public, under state control and supervised and certified by a Bernese notary public. By your participation you accept our Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

When and where can I view the artworks?

All artworks can be viewed during our auction exhibition in Bern. You can find the dates here. Our Online catalogue also offers you the possibility to see detailed photographs of the artworks.

Can I participate in the auction at any time?

You can enter the auction room at any time. You can only participate, however, if you have a valid bidder number.
You will have to make a reservation for seats at the main auction on Friday afternoon.

How do I know when a particular lot is called?

The approximate call time of the individual lots can be found in our online catalogue in the detailed view of the individual catalogue number.

What must I pay in addition to the hammer price?

In addition to the hammer price, the Buyer shall pay a premium (Buyer’s premium) on each auction lot.
Swiss value added tax may also be due under the statutory provisions and rules of the Federal Tax Administration.
If Galerie Kornfeld should send your artwork to you, additional delivery, insurance and packaging costs can be due.

What is the buyer's premium?

In addition to the hammer price, the buyer's premium (buyer's commission) is due, calculated as follows:
a. on a hammer price up to and including CHF 500,000: 25%
b. on a hammer price from CHF 500,001 to 1,000,000: 25% on the first CHF 500,000 and 20% on the difference up to the hammer price
c. on a hammer price over CHF 1,000,001: 25% on the first 500,000, 20% on CHF 500,001 to CHF 1,000,000 and 15% on the difference up to the hammer price

Is value added tax due on a purchase?

VAT (currently 8,1%) is charged on the Buyer's premium. VAT (currently 8.1%; for books currently 2.6%) is due on the hammer price plus Buyer’s premium in the case of items identified by a star (*) after the estimate. Details can be found in our Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

What does the asterisk (*) next to the estimate mean?

VAT (currently 8.1%; for books currently 2.6%) is due on the hammer price plus Buyer’s premium in the case of items identified by a star (*) after the estimate.

Does Switzerland have droit de suite, and should I expect additional costs as a result?

Switzerland does not have droit de suite. As a result, buyers and sellers are charged up to 4% less (maximum EUR 12,500) on art purchases and sales than in EU countries.

I want to bid in the auction by telephone. When will I receive a call from Bern?

We will confirm your telephone bid application with an approximate time frame for a call from Bern on the day of the live auction sale. The online catalogue also contains information about the approximate time for calls concerning the individual catalogue numbers.

Can I authorize someone I trust to make bids on my behalf?

Yes, but this person must have a written authorization from you which must be delivered to us before the auction. This applies both to bids in the auction room and to telephone bids. The bidder is personally liable for your bid, even when they indicate when drawing a bidder number or making a bid that they are acting on behalf of a third party.

Can I follow the live auction via live stream and can I bid online?

To participate in «Live Bidding» you must register online in good time and have your account activated.
It is not enough to register with myKORNFELD. You must register separately for "Live Bidding".
The live auctions are broadcast via live stream.
The link to the live stream will be posted on the homepage of the website on the day of the auction.
Please note that there may be a slight time delay in image transmission.

How do I know that my bid was successful?

In any case, you will be contacted by us after the auction and informed about the result. All hammer prices can be viewed on our website, at the latest on Monday after the auction in the online catalogue.

Can I cancel a bid?

In principle, it is not possible to cancel a written order. Please contact us if you wish to cancel your telephone bidding in advance of the auction. Bids in the Online Only auction are binding and cannot be cancelled.

Can I withdraw from my purchase?

The purchase at the auctions is final and binding. Withdrawal is not possible.

How can I pay for my auction purchases?

After the auction, we will send you the auction invoice by post or, if you wish, by e-mail. Payment must be made by bank transfer in CHF.

Can I pay by credit card?

Payment has to be made by bank transfer in Swiss francs. Credit cards are not accepted.

Do I have to pick up the artwork after the auction?

Once we have received your payment, you can collect your purchases in person from our gallery. Furthermore, we are happy to ship your artworks professionally packed with our professional transport partners. In that case, please fill out our shipping instructions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions concerning the collection or delivery.

Is there an after-sale?

After the auctions have ended, unsold lots can be released for after-sale. You can send us post-sale requests via your myKORNFELD profile. Or you can contact us directly.