Antiques Supermarket

We purchase 80% of our antique merchandise direct from historical homes throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and also the Continent. This gives our customers the benefit of purchasing direct with no middle man, thus providing the most unusual and fine antique pieces available anywhere in the world.

IS THE NORTH OF ENGLAND THE CHEAPEST PART OF ENGLAND TO PURCHASE ANTIQUES?

Yes, our experiences have shown that London and the South charge premium prices for antiques due to high cost of living. It is common knowledge that bargains come from the North West of England - Try us!

WHAT GRADE OF CONTAINER SHOULD I INVEST IN?

The grade or quality of your container depends largely on what sort of auction you intend to hold. Whether economy, basic quality of finer grade and more smalls - bric-a-brac etc. The choice is entirely your decision. We do not like to influence our valued customers, whatever your decision, you will receive excellent value for money with genuine good wishes for high profitability for you.

WHAT VARIETY OF ITEMS CAN I EXPECT?

A good general variety of merchandise will give a much better resale value by avoiding to much repetition of items. We HAND PICK items for a perfect mix.

ARE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE WHEN 2 OR MORE CONTAINERS ARE PURCHASED?

Discount can be negotiated on 2 4 6 8 and 10 4Oft. containers, on a scale in accordance with the total purchase price on a percentage basis. Often extra merchandise is supplied with our compliments to 1st time buyers-This establishes good faith and promotes a long standing trading partnership. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE DO WE EVER WISH TO SELL ONE SHIPMENT ONLY. We strive for complete success and continuity supplying our many customers regularly.

HOW TO DECIDE ON SIZE AND PRICE OF YOUR FIRST SHIPMENT OF ANTIQUES

Firstly consider the size of your store, Auction Gallery or Warehouse. For a 40-foot Container Load you require a minimum of 5,000 sq.ft. If you have less space than 5,000 sq.ft. We suggest that you try a 20-foot shipment containing smaller items, and sometimes more convenient for unloading. Delivery time is the same for both 20 and 40-foot Containers.

WHAT SIZE CONTAINER SHOULD I ORDER?

A lot depends upon the volume of storage space you have available.
Here are the sizes of containers.

When purchasing a low cost container with small items of furniture a 20 It. container is ideal. This works out at exactly 50% of the freight cost of a 40 ft. container. We favour the use of 40 ft. high cube containers because they have an extra foot in height, which assists greatly when stowing large volume, high cost merchandise.

A low cube, 40 ft. container is $400 cheaper to ship but it has 30% less
volume.

HOW DO I EXPLAIN THE TYPE OF ANTIQUES WANTED?

Simply by filling in the enquiry form you can make reference to the antiques by selecting items on the form and then we know the exact items you require. We can then include these pieces on your shipment.

DO YOU CHARGE FOR EXPERT PACKING OF SHIPMENTS?

No. All packing of antiques is done free of charge by our experienced packers. Each item is individually wrapped in corrugated cardboard and packed tightly together inside all containers. Small items, clocks, brick-a-brack etc., is usually wrapped and put inside armoires, cupboards or drawers to ensure safe delivery.

HOW DO YOU SHOW COSTING OF EACH ITEM SHIPPED?

We provide a complete itemised packing list showing a full description of the items listed, costed in English pounds Sterling. A full description is given of each item showing date, origin, material and price.

HOW DO I ORDER A SHIPMENT OF ANTIQUES?

Simply fill out an Container Order Form or simply telephone our Head Office to confirm and arrange selections and delivery dates.

WHAT CURRENCY DO YOU REQUIRE WITH ORDER?

Many clients offer to pay for shipments in American Dollars, often this saves money on exchange rates. Sometimes, sending a wire of Canadian Dollars is more convenient or payment in Pounds Sterling can be easier. The exchange of currency is constantly changing and volatile. Whatever arrangements suit our clients is fine by us. It's your choice.

WHAT GIVES OWNERSHIP OR TITLE TO EACH CONTAINER?

The documents called Bills of Lading, provided by the shipping company (usually one original and three copies) are drawn up an original Bill of Lading must be produced to get release from the Customs Bureau and shipping line. The copy Bills of Lading are usually kept by the shipper. The Ships Captain has one to identify the destination and value of contents of each individual shipment. The Bill of Lading also shows the weight and cubic capacity which tells him where to stow the container according to weight for stowage on board a vessel. The original bill is sent to the customs house broker to enable him to claim title to the merchandise. The bills of lading are sent off when full payment has been received at our bank.

SHIPPING YOUR CONTAINER OF ANTIQUES

ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN COSTS WHEN IMPORTING ANTIQUES

No. We advise our clients of customs duty, freight Costs, customs brokerage fees and road haulage charges. Packing is free of charge when you buy from our company.

WHAT GOVERNS THE FREIGHT CHARGES PER CONTAINER?

There are shipping conferences which help to establish world wide freight charges per 40 ft. and 20 ft. container. The cost varies according to the distance and volume of each port of entry.

Non-Conference shipping lines are sometimes cheaper but their delivery times are sometimes longer. Freight charges have no relationship to the value of each shipment. Whatever the value of a containers contents, the total freight cost is the same - Therefore it usually works out cheaper pro rata, to pack more value into a container, this reduces the freight cost because there is more volume and higher investment, which means less freight charge to be added per piece when working out final cost per item shipped.

DO FREIGHT CHARGES DIFFER ACCORDING TO THE VALUE OF SHIPMENTS?

No. The total freight Cost is the same whatever the value of the Contents of the container. The only difference being, the more value put into a Container: the less the individual cost of freight per item. The choice of volume and cost is yours - For low value shipments we recommend 20 ft. containers at half the freight Cost of a 40 It. shipment.

WHO ARRANGES FINAL DELIVERY OF A CONTAINER TO MY DOOR?

As soon as the container reaches the port of entry, the customs house broker telephones the consignee to advise. The arrival and final delivery is verbally arranged to suit your unloading arrangements. A lull day can be allowed to unload a shipment.

WILL YOU ARRANGE DOOR TO DOOR DELIVERY OF A SHIPMENT?

Yes. Each container is delivered direct from the ship by road haulage on a tractor and trailor rig directly to your shop, warehouse, home. One full day is given to unload your Container Wrapping materials must be retained by yourself.

WHAT ARE DEMURAGE CHARGES?

Demurage charges are incurred if a container is left on the dock alter arrival for an unreasonable time Usually two weeks are allowed before demurage charges are incurred at approximately $20 per day. Sometimes to leave a shipment is convenient if you have to meet auction dates or if you have storage problems. The choice is yours!

WHO PAYS FOR EXPERT PACKING OF SHIPMENTS?

Nobody pays for packing. It is provided totally free of charge when you buy from our company. Each item is carefully wrapped in corrugated paper and taped securely with adhesive tape and packed into the container very tightly to avoid scratching or breakages.

Extreme care und supervision is taken at all times when packing our fine antique merchandise.

WHAT ABOUT SUPERVISION OF CONTAINERS?

All containers will be supervised from England to their final destination. All shipments are automatically insured against total loss and war risks. We arrange custom house brockers for our clients at all ports of entry.

NOTE: Fumigation is compulsory on all shipments entering Australian ports. This is carried out in Engiand at a cost of approximately $120 per container. A certificate is provided to certify the same.

TAILORING YOUR ORDER FOR A CONTAINER.

DO YOU SUPPLY ARCHITECTURAL ITEMS?

Yes. We sell oak panelling, doors, windows, fireplaces, cast iron fitments, pub interiors, bars supplied, restaurant "theme" interiors supplied in Victorian Style to suit individual requirements.

WHAT WOODEN ITEMS DO YOU SUPPLY IN SMALLS?

We supply wooden sewing and work boxes! planes, biscuit barrels lolling pins, bread boards, candlesticks, lays, dolls houses, wood working primitive tools, scales, coal boxes! knife boxes, knife grinders, hour mills arid many more unusual and rare items. When such items are requested, please let us know what quantity is required.

DO YOU HAVE BRONZE FIGURES OR STATUEARY?

Yes. We specialise in bronze fiqures and horses of all origins and sizes right up to life size Marble figures and spelter and alabaster are also available in many interesting Classical forms. Please ask for more details when orderinq. We have a very interesting selection of reproduction marble and bronze figures, copies of the originals of the highest quality. Please let us know if you want further information.

CAN YOU SUPPLY UNSTRIPPED PINE FURNITURE?

Yes we can supply pine furniture in its original state. This means we have no stripping or waxing costs, hence reducing the cost of pine merchandise to you directly. If you prefer to strip and refinish furniture to your taste, it can save up to 25% on the first cost. Please let us know which style of finish you prefer are when ordering your shipment.

DO YOU INCLUDE SMALLS IN MOST SHIPMENTS?

No Smalls - pottery, glassware, china, copper, brass, spelten figures and wooden items have to be especially requested. Also a budget has to be set for the total value of smalls you require to be included in your shipment. Smalls are included only when verbally stated.

CAN YOU SUPPLY 100% ART DECO FURNITURE?

Yes we do fill several containers with Art Deco furniture. This usually takes up to two weeks to compile. This waiting period guarantees an excellent variety of every type of Art Deco items from leaded glass to table lamps and chrome furniture and plastic handled late period Art Deco. Please specify your requirements.

HOW DO I EXPLAIN THE TYPE OF ANTIQUES WANTED?

CAN YOU SUPPLY CONTAINERS FILLED WITH ONE SPECIFIC COMMODITY?

Yes. Frequently we are asked for containers filled with leaded glass windows, pine furniture (primitive), solid oak furniture architectural items (wood panelling), drug stores, pianos, drawer leaf tables, wicker or furniture or clocks. In fact, you name the item - we can supply it!!!