TERMS OF SALE
1 . The bidder accepts the conditions of sale stated as follows by offering bids via mail , telephone , fax , email or internet . Bids are not accepted via email or social media on closing days .
2 . Items are sold to the highest bidder .
3 . Each item has a specific “ opening ” or “ reserve ” bid . If you bid this amount , the item will be sold to you at that price unless another bidder raises your bid .
4 . Tie bids are decided by the earliest bid received .
5 . Bidders must pay packing , postage and insurance costs . All packages are insured for the full amount without exception . When packaging and postage costs rise , Hake ’ s will adjust shipping costs accordingly . Increases in shipping costs , based on published rates from USPS or UPS and / or personal disagreement with shipping costs and methods are not an acceptable reason to default on payment . All orders ship via UPS or USPS whichever is more economical . Unless otherwise stated , all packages sent via UPS will require a signature . If you prefer UPS to leave a package without signature requirement , please contact us . For international shipments , Hake ’ s will declare the FULL value of each package on customs forms , without exception , along with factual descriptions of enclosed material and the appropriate corresponding correct HST code . Bidders are responsible for all taxes , import , customs and duty fees . It is the bidder ’ s responsibility to make sure their mailing and shipping address is updated prior to the close of an auction .
6 . Pennsylvania , Maryland , California , New Jersey , New York , Illinois and Virginia residents must pay state sales tax or provide re-sale number . Out of state bidders picking up items at our office are subject to 6 % PA state sales tax , unless a copy of your re-sale number is provided .
7 . Offers to “ top all other bids ” are not accepted . We can execute a bid on your behalf or inform you if your bid has been raised . See “ call-back ” details on page 3 of the catalog or online under Auction Closing procedure . Hake ’ s specifically disclaims any responsibility or liability whatsoever for failing to execute a written bid , telephone bid , internet bid or call-back request on any bidder ’ s behalf . Hake ’ s may at its sole discretion re-open the bidding on an auction item at any time .
8 . Hake ’ s Auctions reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids by any bidder and the right to limit the number of high bid inquiries via telephone .
9 . Bidders who have not previously purchased from Hake ’ s must accompany bids with a valid Master Card , VISA Card , Discover Card or American Express number and expiration date . Such a bidder authorizes Hake ’ s to charge auction purchases and shipping costs to that credit card . If Hake ’ s is denied authorization by the card issuer , the bidder agrees to remit payment in full within two weeks of notification that the credit card authorization was declined . A deposit may be required of new bidders at Hake ’ s discretion . If payment is not received within two weeks of notification the bidder is liable for the costs and legal fees Hake ’ s incurs in the collection of the debt .
10 . Closing days telephone bidding begins at 9:30 AM on the published closing day of the auction . Bids are updated in real time . Multiple phone lines are available for calls . Read the Auction Closing Procedure . Questions about items must be addressed prior to published closing day .
11 . No retraction of bids are permitted for any reason . Once a bid has been placed , it may not be retracted .
12 . Bidding sales are not approval sales . Winning bids must be honored by bidders . Hake ’ s does not assume any responsibility for errors made in the amount bid or lot numbers listed online . Errors in descriptions or our inability to fill an order are the only causes for a refund . Requests for adjustments must be made within three days of receipt of the items and accompanied by a letter of explanation . Late remittance for purchases , however , is cause to negate this privilege . No returns will be permitted for any reason after settlement is made with our consignors .
13 . If an item is damaged in transit or missing from your order , DO NOT DISCARD ANY PACKING MATERIALS . CALL US IMMEDIATELY AT 866-404-9800 M / F 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM . See Loss or Damage on page 3 for further instruction .
14 . All material is genuine and no reproductions are offered in the auction .
15 . Electrically operated items are sold for their collectible value only . Actual use of such items is at the purchaser ’ s risk . Mechanical items such as toys , watches , etc . are sold as is . Upon receipt of items , Hake ’ s is not responsible for items that are not operable even if described as working in the auction listing .
16 . Some items are sold under Hake ’ s grading standards . Grading is subjective and opinions among experts often differ . Hake ’ s makes no guarantee and offers no refund for items later evaluated by any outside source or third-party grading service with a differing opinion .
17 . Hake ’ s utilizes third party grading in multiple category areas of the auction . Those lots are subject to each respective company ’ s grading terms / rules / regulations and as such allows for defects to reflect the assigned grade in accordance with each respective company ’ s grading scale . Lots that are graded by a third party grading company are sold “ as is ”. Hake ’ s is not liable for any patent or latent defect or controversy that arises from an encapsulated lot in our auctions . The bidder may have some recourse through the third party grading company that certified the grade of said lot and is directed to contact them to resolve those issues . Third party grading encapsulation holders occasionally incur damage ( chipping , cracking ) during shipping , despite Hake ’ s best efforts to ensure your lots arrive safely . If a case is damaged in transit , Hake ’ s will attempt to facilitate having the lot re-cased on the winning bidder ’ s behalf , but returns will not be accepted due to holder damage that does not affect the grade or condition of the item itself .
18 . Hake ’ s is not responsible for shipping damage to picture frames ( including glass ) of any kind . By request , we will remove the item from the frame and dispose of frame prior to shipping of item .
19 . Hake ’ s reserves the right to cancel the auction or reschedule the closing dates without recourse from any bidder , consignor or prospective bidder .
20 . Should Hake ’ s be prevented by fire , theft or any reason from delivering any property to the buyer , any liability of Hake ’ s shall be limited to the amount actually paid for the property by that buyer .
21 . All sales are for cash . Full payment is due 14 days after the closing date of the auction . We accept major credit cards , checks , money orders and payment by wire transfer . We do not accept PayPal as a method of payment . Personal checks from first time customers require two weeks to clear the bank . Payment by certified check or money order will avoid this delay . Payment must be received within 14 days to take advantage of buyer ’ s premium discount . 3 % discount is only available if payment is received within14 days from date of the auction . Returned checks are subject to a $ 25.00 service charge ( per transaction ).
22 . All bids are contractual obligations and all bidders are obligated to honor their bids . Invoices not paid when due will be subject to a late payment fee of 1.5 % per month on outstanding balances . Bidders will also be liable for all court and attorney ’ s fees should it become necessary for Hake ’ s to refer their account to a collection agency or attorney .
23 . All legal disputes arising as a result of or with respect to these Terms of sale shall be governed and settled by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , excluding the conflict of law rules of that Commonwealth , and Bidder agrees that jurisdiction and venue shall rest exclusively within the courts of the Commonwealth .
24 . Employees of Hake ’ s and its affiliates may participate in the auction but may not bid on personally consigned lots .
25 . Consignors may not bid on items they have consigned or do so by proxy or agents .
CONDITION DEFINITIONS
We devote much time to providing detailed descriptions of the items so that you may bid in confidence . Here are the condition terms we use and their definitions . If you need more information about an item , please call before the auction closing days .
MINT Flawless condition . NEAR MINT ( NM ) Just the slightest detectable wear . EXCELLENT ( EXC .) Minor visible wear .
VERY FINE ( VF ) Well cared for with only moderate visible wear and / or aging .
FINE
An item in nice condition with some general wear and aging but no serious defects .
VERY GOOD ( VG ) Noticable wear and aging , with moderate defects present . GOOD Obvious overall wear and / or defects .
FAIR Obvious damage and wear . POOR Extensive damage and wear . HAKE #
QUOTE MARKS
Refers to Hake ’ s 3 volume reference “ The Encyclopedia of Political Buttons ”.
(“....”) in a description indicate words that actually appear on the item .
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