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Auction Bee Alpha (Pty) Ltd
Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: 2026-03-01

These Terms & Conditions apply to all auctions conducted by Auction Bee Alpha (Pty) Ltd within the Republic of South Africa.

(Buyers & Sellers)

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern all auctions, private treaty sales, consignments, and transactions conducted by Auction Bee Alpha (Pty) Ltd (“Auction Bee”, “we”, “us”, “our”) within the Republic of South Africa.

By registering, bidding, consigning, or transacting with Auction Bee, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms.

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PART A — BUYER TERMS

1. Definitions

Auctioneer: Auction Bee Alpha (Pty) Ltd or its authorised representatives.

Buyer: The highest accepted bidder or private treaty purchaser.

Seller: The consignor of goods.

Lot: One or more items offered for sale as a single unit.

Hammer Price: The final bid accepted by the Auctioneer.

Purchase Price: Hammer Price + 21.5% Buyer’s Premium + any applicable statutory taxes + approved fees.

Working Days: Monday to Friday, excluding South African public holidays.

2. Registration & Binding Bids

2.1 Buyers must register and be approved for each auction.

2.2 All registration details must be accurate and current.

2.3 All bids are irrevocable and legally binding.

2.4 Auction Bee reserves the right to:

• Refuse registration or bidding
• Withdraw, split, or regroup Lots
• Resolve bidding disputes
• Cancel or reschedule auctions

2.5 The Auctioneer’s decision is final.

3. Voetstoots & Condition

3.1 All Lots are sold voetstoots (as-is).

3.2 No warranties, guarantees, or representations are given.

3.3 Buyers are responsible for examining descriptions and requesting additional information prior to bidding.

3.4 Auction Bee shall not be liable for errors, omissions, or condition-related disputes unless material misrepresentation is proven.

4. Payment & Invoice Cancellation

4.1 Invoices are issued within 24 hours of auction close.

4.2 Payment must be made within 48 hours of invoice to secure the purchase.

4.3 If no payment or contact is received within five (5) business days, the invoice will be automatically cancelled.

4.4 Upon cancellation due to non-payment, Auction Bee reserves the right to charge the Buyer up to 21.5% of the total invoice value to cover administrative, handling, and relisting costs.

4.5 Auction Bee may suspend or permanently ban accounts for repeated default.

4.6 Payments must be made only to Auction Bee’s official published banking details.

5. Ownership & Risk

5.1 Ownership transfers only upon receipt of cleared funds.

5.2 Risk transfers to the Buyer upon the fall of the hammer, even if ownership has not yet transferred.

5.3 Auction Bee is not liable for loss, theft, or damage after the sale concludes.

6. Collection, Storage & Abandonment

6.1 Paid Lots must be collected within 10 working days of invoice issue.

6.2 Collection is by arrangement Monday–Friday, 09:00–15:00.

6.3 If not collected within 10 working days, a storage fee of 10% of the total invoice value per week (or part thereof) shall apply.

6.4 Storage accrues in accordance with Section 23.

6.5 If the Lot remains uncollected for 10 weeks, storage fees will equal 100% of the invoice value.

6.6 At this point:

• Payments received shall be applied toward accumulated storage fees.
• The invoice shall be cancelled.
• The Lot shall be deemed abandoned property.

6.7 Auction Bee reserves the right to:

• Claim the Lot as abandoned stock
• Resell the Lot without further notice
• Recover any additional handling or administrative costs

Auction Bee may issue written notice prior to resale or disposal; however, failure to issue such notice shall not invalidate the abandonment provisions.

6.8 The Buyer shall have no claim for refund, market value loss, or compensation once abandonment provisions are triggered.

7. Courier & Third Parties

7.1 Courier arrangements are at the Buyer’s risk and cost.

7.2 Risk remains with the Buyer once the Lot leaves Auction Bee’s premises.

8. VAT Status

8.1 Auction Bee is not currently registered for VAT.

8.2 Should VAT registration become legally required under South African law, statutory taxes will be charged accordingly.

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1 Disputes shall first be referred to mediation.

9.2 If unresolved, disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Johannesburg, Gauteng.

9.3 South African law governs these Terms.

PART B — SELLER TERMS

10. Legal Ownership & Authority

10.1 The Seller warrants lawful ownership or authority to sell.

10.2 The Seller indemnifies Auction Bee against claims arising from misrepresentation, authenticity disputes, or unlawful ownership.

11. Commission & Sale Proceeds

11.1 A 21.5% Seller’s Commission applies to sold Lots.

11.2 Recoverable expenses may be deducted where agreed.

11.3 Seller Reports are issued within 30 days of auction close.

11.4 EFT payments are processed once banking details are confirmed.

12. Reserve Control

12.1 Reserves must be commercially realistic.

12.2 Auction Bee reserves the right to refuse excessive or detrimental reserves.

13. Unsold Reserved Lots — Handling Fee

13.1 If a Lot fails to sell due to the Reserve not being met, an Unsold Handling Fee applies.

13.2 The fee shall be 10% of the Reserve Price (minimum R250 per Lot).

13.3 This fee covers photography, administration, marketing, labour, and listing costs.

13.4 The fee becomes payable immediately upon notification.

14. Seller Collection — Unsold Reserved Lots

14.1 Unsold property must be collected within 10 working days (Monday–Friday, 09:00–15:00).

14.2 After this period, storage of 10% of the Reserve Price per week (or part thereof) shall apply.

14.3 Storage accrues in accordance with Section 23.

14.4 If unsold property remains uncollected for 10 weeks, storage will equal 100% of the Reserve Price.

14.5 At that point:

• The Lot shall be deemed abandoned.
• Auction Bee reserves the right to claim the Lot as abandoned stock.
• The Lot may be resold or disposed of in Auction Bee’s sole discretion to recover storage, handling, and administrative costs.
• The Seller shall have no claim for value or compensation.

Auction Bee may issue written notice prior to resale or disposal; however, failure to issue such notice shall not invalidate the abandonment provisions.

15. Withdrawal

15.1 Withdrawal requires 24 hours written notice.

15.2 Auction Bee reserves the right to charge up to 100% of agreed commission where marketing, listing, or catalogue preparation has commenced and applicable expenses upon withdrawal.

16. Self-Bidding Prohibition

16.1 Sellers may not bid on their own Lots.

16.2 Violations constitute a material breach of these Terms and may result in:

• Full Buyer and Seller commissions charged
• Listing bans
• Withheld proceeds

17. Risk & Insurance

17.1 Items remain at the Seller’s risk until sold and paid in full.

17.2 Auction Bee is not liable for theft, damage, or loss unless gross negligence is proven.

17.3 Optional insurance must be arranged in writing.

18. Compliance

18.1 Sellers must provide valid ID and banking details.

18.2 Auction Bee complies with POPIA and applicable South African legislation.

19. Amendments

19.1 Auction Bee reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time.

19.2 Updated Terms apply to future transactions once published.

PART C — GENERAL PROVISIONS

20. Consumer Protection Act (CPA)

20.1 Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit, exclude, or restrict any rights that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.

20.2 Where the CPA applies, these Terms shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with applicable legislation.

20.3 The Buyer acknowledges that auctions conducted by Auction Bee fall within the statutory definition of auctions and may be subject to specific exclusions under the CPA.

21. Material Misrepresentation

21.1 A “material misrepresentation” means a false statement of fact made knowingly or recklessly that directly affects the identity, authenticity, or essential character of a Lot.

21.2 Minor description errors, subjective grading differences, wear consistent with age, or differences in opinion shall not constitute material misrepresentation.

21.3 Where material misrepresentation is proven, the sole remedy available to the Buyer shall be cancellation of the sale and refund of the Hammer Price only.

21.4 Buyer’s Premium, storage, transport, and associated costs shall not be refundable unless otherwise required by law.

22. Penalty & Administrative Charges

22.1 The Buyer acknowledges that cancellation fees, handling fees, and administrative charges set out in these Terms represent a genuine pre-estimate of administrative, marketing, and relisting costs incurred by Auction Bee.

22.2 Such amounts are not punitive in nature but are commercially reasonable within the auction industry.

22.3 These provisions are subject to the Conventional Penalties Act 15 of 1962.

23. Storage Calculation & Accrual

23.1 Storage charges accrue in seven (7) day increments beginning immediately after expiry of the applicable collection grace period.

23.2 Any part of a seven-day period shall constitute a full week for purposes of calculation.

24. Application of Proceeds (Seller & Abandonment Sales)

24.1 Where a Lot is resold to recover storage, handling, or administrative costs, proceeds shall be applied in the following order:

• Accrued storage fees
• Handling and administrative costs
• Disposal and resale costs
• Any outstanding commissions
• Any surplus balance (if applicable)

24.2 Auction Bee shall not be liable for any shortfall.

25. Force Majeure

25.1 Auction Bee shall not be liable for any delay, interruption, or failure to perform arising from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Power outages
• Internet failure
• Civil unrest
• Acts of God
• Fire, flood, or damage
• Government restrictions

25.2 Obligations affected by such events shall be suspended for the duration of the disruption.

26. Limitation of Liability

26.1 To the fullest extent permitted by law, Auction Bee’s total liability arising from any claim relating to a Lot shall not exceed the Hammer Price of that Lot.

26.2 Auction Bee shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, or economic losses.

27. Interest & Legal Costs

27.1 Overdue amounts shall accrue interest at the maximum rate permitted under South African law, calculated from the due date until the date of final payment, both days inclusive.

27.2 The defaulting party shall be liable for legal costs on the attorney-and-client scale where recovery action is necessary.

28. Seller Fee Deduction Authority

28.1 Auction Bee may deduct any unpaid handling fees, storage fees, or administrative charges from any proceeds held on behalf of the Seller.

28.2 The Seller consents to such set-off.

29. Electronic Communication & Records

29.1 The parties agree that all communications, invoices, and notices may be transmitted electronically.

29.2 Electronic records and communications shall constitute written communication for purposes of these Terms.

29.3 The Seller and Buyer consent to electronic contracting in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.

30. Severability, Non-Waiver & Entire Agreement

30.1 If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

30.2 Failure by Auction Bee to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of future enforcement.

30.3 These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior representations or understandings. No variation of these Terms shall be binding unless reduced to writing and signed by an authorised representative of Auction Bee.

31. No Agency Relationship

31.1 Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship beyond that of auctioneer and consignor.