Terms & Conditions

1. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. By bidding at HELIOS Auctions, whether in person or by agent, absentee bid, telephone bid, via the internet, or other means, the Bidder agrees to be bound by the following terms and conditions of sale. Any notices, published, posted, or oral, before or during the sale, are part of our terms and conditions of sale agreement. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions of sale. HELIOS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OF THE BIDDER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE BIDDER BIDDING ON THE WRONG LOT.
2. BUYER’S PREMIUM. All bid prices/Hammer prices will be subject to a 27% buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser. The buyer’s premium will be 27% provided the payment is made by cash, money order, cashier’s check, wire transfer, or approved personal check. There is a 3.5% surcharge added to the total invoice amount for all payments made by credit cards, and 4% for all PayPal payments, including Buyer’s premium and any other charges that will be added to the invoice. The Buyer’s premium will be added to each Hammer price and the two together equal the total purchase price. The buyer’s premium for lots purchased through a third-party auction site/platform/portal may differ and will be indicated on such site/platform/portal directly.
3. SALES TAX. For purchases picked up or delivered in New York State, unless exempted by the law, the purchaser will be required to pay the combined New York State and local sales tax, any applicable compensating use tax of another state, and if applicable, any federal luxury or other tax, on the total purchase price including buyer’s premium. HELIOS is required by law to collect and remit the appropriate sales tax in effect in New York State unless appropriate documentation of exemption is provided. Buyers claiming exemption from sales tax must have the appropriate documentation on file with HELIOS prior to the release of the property. If the property is delivered to a state where HELIOS is not required to collect sales tax, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to self-assess any sales or use tax and remit it to taxing authorities in that state. HELIOS is not required to collect sales tax for property delivered to the purchaser outside of the United States.
4. REGISTRATION. A prospective buyer must complete and sign a registration or bid form before bidding (available on our website). HELIOS reserves the right to require bank and other financial references for participation in the auction or bidding on a specific lot. HELIOS has the right, at our complete discretion, to refuse any individual bidder’s participation in any auction. When making a bid, a bidder is accepting personal liability to pay the purchase price, including the buyer’s premium and all applicable taxes, plus all other applicable fees and charges. HELIOS must be notified before the commencement of the sale that the bidder is acting as an agent on behalf of an identified third party acceptable to us, and we may only look to the principal for payment.
5. METHOD OF PAYMENT.Payment for auction lots and premiums must be received within seven days of the auction date.
   Auction sales are strictly for cash, money order, cashier’s check, bank wire transfers (international wire transfers: $35.00 should be added to the invoice amount), personal checks, (with prior approval from HELIOS). For payments by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express) 3.5% surcharge will be added to the invoice total amount; Paypal (can be used ONLY for shipping & handling charges) a 4% surcharge will be added to the total amount of the invoice. ATTENTION FOREIGN BUYERS: The method of payment will be U.S. currency, certified check drawn on an American bank, or wire transfer. HELIOS reserves the right to demand payment by methods other than credit card or Paypal for any reason whatsoever.
6. DEFAULT AND INTEREST. Payment of the Total Amount Due is due upon receipt of the buyer’s invoice. If the amount of the buyer’s invoice is not paid in full within 10 days of the auction, HELIOS has the right and will charge the purchaser’s credit card on file for the total invoice amount. In addition to other remedies available to us by law, interest will be charged on all unpaid balances at the rate of 12% per annum, or the highest allowable rate under New York law, beginning the 10th day after the date of purchase/auction. HELIOS shall hold any money deposited in partial payment on account of any liability of the defaulted item and will apply it at the sole discretion of HELIOS to the outstanding debt. HELIOS may, in its sole discretion, apply any proceeds of sale then due or thereafter becoming due to the purchaser from us, or any payment made by the purchaser to us, whether or not intended to reduce the purchaser’s obligations with respect to the unpaid lot or lots, to the deficiency and any other amounts due to us. The purchaser acknowledges that should the purchaser not comply with any of the terms and conditions of sale, including payment of the full amount indicated on the buyer’s invoice, the damages incurred by HELIOS includes, without limitation, consignor commission, loss of use of money for an indefinite period, costs to relist the item and potential depreciation of the item, and loss arising on the resale of the lot, whether such damages are now known or may become known in the future. Accordingly, in the event
   the purchaser fails to pay the full amount indicated on the buyer’s invoice within 45 days after the auction, the purchaser shall be immediately liable for liquidated damages in an amount equal to 30% of the amount on the buyer’s invoice. Liquidated damages are in addition to the total amount on the buyer’s invoice and any applicable interest. Subject to fulfillment of all of the conditions set forth herein, on the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer, title to the offered lot will pass to the highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer, and such bidder thereupon (a) assumes full risk and responsibility therefore (including, without limitation, liability for loss, destruction, or damage) and (b) will immediately pay the full purchase price or such part as we may require.
7. WITHDRAWAL. HELIOS reserves the right to withdraw from the auction, rearrange, separate, or exclude any property before or during the sale without notice and shall have no liability whatsoever for such actions.
8. PROTESTS, DISPUTES, AND THE AUCTIONEER. HELIOS and its Auctioneer have the right at its absolute and sole discretion to reject or refuse a bid from any bidder, to advance the bidding in such a manner as we may decide, to withdraw or divide any lot, to combine any two or more lots, to determine the successful bidder, to continue the bidding, to cancel the sale or to re-offer and resell the item in dispute, whether during or after the sale. The highest bidder, acknowledged by the Auctioneer, will be the purchaser. The Auctioneer shall have sole and final discretion as to the disposition of any dispute including the re-offer and resale of any article in dispute. HELIOS’ records will be deemed conclusive in all respect in the event there is any dispute after the sale.
9. GUARANTEE. ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD “AS IS”, AND “WHERE-IS”. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS AND NO EXCHANGES. HELIOS does not guarantee or make any warranties on any lot sold. Descriptions in the catalog are opinion only. They are written only as an aid to potential bidders. HELIOS acknowledges and bidder agrees that there may be errors in the catalog and/or description. You should personally examine each lot on which you will bid, or have an acknowledged expert view the item. Photographic images of items being offered, whether provided in print or online, as well as references in the catalog entry or condition report as to damage or restoration are for guidance only and are provided as a convenience to prospective bidders. The absence of any reference in a condition report or photograph does not imply that an item is free from defect or restoration. The reference to particular defects does not imply the absence of any other defects. Neither HELIOS nor its consignors are responsible in any way for errors and omissions in the catalog, condition reports, or any other supplemental materials. HELIOS will have no obligation, i.e., no refunds or returns will be accepted, if the above conditions are not met. Items offered for sale as described in the catalog or any bill of sale, advertisement, addendum sheet, or elsewhere as to authorship, period, culture, source, maker, manufacturer, origin, measurement, quality, rarity, provenance, importance, exhibition, or physical condition are qualified statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. No employee of HELIOS or any person purporting to act on behalf of HELIOS is authorized to make on HELIOS’ or the consignor’s behalf, any representation or warranty, oral or written, with respect to any lot or item for sale. Estimates of the selling price should not be relied upon as a value of the item or for any other purposes. All sales are considered final.
10. RESERVES. Some items in the auction may be subject to a reserve, which is the confidential minimum price below which the lot will not be sold. If a lot is offered with a reserve, HELIOS may implement that reserve by bidding on behalf of the consignor. Once bidding is opened HELIOS will bid on behalf of the consignor to reach the reserve price. The Auctioneer may reject nominal bids, which are small opening bids or very nominal advances made with the purpose of disparaging an item. If a lot fails to achieve a bid equal to or exceeding 25 – 30% of the low estimate, the item may be passed and not sold and may not be re-offered until a later sale. This determination of whether to sell the item at the current auction or re-offer it at a later auction is at the sole discretion of the Auctioneer. Items that are not reserved are sold at the auctioneer’s discretion.
11. BIDS OF CONSIGNORS. Consignors, other than HELIOS, are not allowed to bid on their own merchandise nor have any agent bid on their behalf. If the Auctioneer recognizes such bidding or is advised of the same, the Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any or all items consigned by the offending consignor. It is not prohibited conduct under this Section when the Auctioneer bids on behalf of the consignor to reach the reserve price.
12. ABSENTEE, TELEPHONE, AND ONLINE BIDDING. As a service, HELIOS may accept bids on behalf of potential bidders at HELIOS’ own discretion by telephone or absentee bid using the Bid Form provided by HELIOS. Bid Form must be received and credit approved in advance of the sale date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to establish credit before bidding, otherwise, HELIOS will accept a 15% deposit in the amount of the total bids submitted. Deposits will be returned within ten (10) business days after the sale if bids were not successful. Bid Form can be downloaded from our website, found in the catalog, or sent to you upon request. In addition, online bidding is available through third-party platforms (additional fees may apply). Purchasers acknowledge that by bidding absentee via mail, e-mail, telephone, facsimile, through internet providers, or any other absentee means (i.e., not in person bidding), no fiduciary duty exists between the bidder and HELIOS. Purchaser acknowledges that HELIOS has a fiduciary duty to the sellers and not to the bidders or purchasers. Purchaser acknowledges that HELIOS owes no duty to disclose the ownership of any item being auctioned. Any absentee bid is executed as if the bidder was actually present and bidding themselves. HELIOS will attempt to execute bids in a manner such that the bids will prevail at the lowest bid possible. HELIOS assumes no responsibility for failure to execute bids submitted via telephone, facsimile, or website/online bids for any reason whatsoever, or for failure to execute bids such that the bids do not prevail at the lowest bid possible. BY PARTICIPATING IN TELEPHONE BIDDING, THE BIDDER AND PURCHASER UNDERSTAND, ACKNOWLEDGE, AND CONSENT TO THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BEING RECORDED. “Safety Bids”: Telephone Bidder should be aware that there is the risk of HELIOS not being able to reach the Telephone Bidder. Therefore, Telephone Bidder should consider allowing his or her phone representative to execute bidding on his or her behalf. At the time of arranging for the phone bids, the Telephone Bidder should give the maximum amounts he or she is willing to bid on each lot (“Safely Bid”) in the event HELIOS is unable to reach the Telephone Bidder. Online bidding is available through third-party platforms. Please be advised that third-party platforms charge an additional buyer’s premium above and beyond the premium charged by HELIOS.
13. FINANCIAL INTEREST IN PROPERTY. Purchaser acknowledges that HELIOS has a financial interest in all items offered for sale since it is paid a seller’s commission and buyer’s premium. Additionally, Purchaser acknowledges that a conflict of interest may exist because HELIOS, its officers or employees, or an entity owned by one or more of them, may have a financial interest in an item offered for sale beyond the seller’s commission and buyer’s premium, which may include an ownership interest or a guaranteed amount offered by HELIOS to a consignor of an item for sale. The items offered for sale by HELIOS are offered either as agents for consignors or as owners. HELIOS buys items on the open market for sale through an auction or may offer a guarantee to a consignor. In either event, HELIOS can have an ownership or other financial interest in the item(s) being auctioned. Such interest in the item(s) being auctioned may not be disclosed. If HELIOS has an interest in an offered lot and the proceeds therefrom, other than our commission, HELIOS may bid on the offered lot to protect such interest and such bidding shall not be prohibited under.
14. ENDANGERED OR PROTECTED SPECIES OR WILDLIFE. Property made of or incorporating endangered or protected species or wildlife may have import and/or export restrictions established by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES). The property, including, but not limited to, items made of or incorporating plant or animal materials such as coral, crocodile, ivory, whalebone, tortoiseshell, may require a license or certificate prior to exportation and/or importation. Such items are not available to ship internationally and, in some cases, domestically. Additionally, these items may be subject to confiscation by state or federal officials if the proper documentation authorizing their sale is not produced. By placing a bid, the bidder acknowledges that he is aware of the restriction and takes responsibility for obtaining and paying for any license or permits relevant to the delivery of the item(s). HELIOS is not responsible and would not be liable for the inability to ship the purchased items or if such item(s) is (are) confiscated by state or federal officials prior to their shipment or transport to the successful bidder. In any event, the bidder is responsible for making a timely payment for the total purchase price of the lot. Bidder should be familiar with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding. Bidder should inquire with relevant government wildlife import and export requirements prior to placing a bid.
15. EXPORT/IMPORT REQUIREMENTS. Certain properties may require a license or certificate prior to exportation and/or importation. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to obtain any export and/or import licenses and/or required documentation. HELIOS has no obligation to assist the bidder in applying for or obtaining such documentation, export, and/or import license, and will charge the bidder additional fees for such services. We shall neither be obliged to rescind a sale nor to refund any interest or other expenses incurred by the buyer where payment is made by the buyer in circumstances where an export license is required.
16. PHOTOGRAPHS. HELIOS reserves the right to retain, disclose, sell, transfer, and/or publish any photographs, images, descriptions of property, and results of any sale, before and after the auction, including but not limited to, publishing via the internet and/or any other media, and/or to any third party. All images, texts, photographic reproductions, and catalog designs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without our explicit written permission. Neither HELIOS nor consignor make any representations and/or warranties, express or implied, as to whether the purchaser acquires any copyrights, intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, any reproduction rights.
17. DELIVERY, SHIPPING, AND STORAGE CHARGES. Any items purchased by phone, absentee bid, online, or otherwise not picked up in person on the auction day, will be stored by HELIOS and will be made available for pick-up by appointment only. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to contact HELIOS after payment to arrange for pick-up or shipment. All delivery, shipping, and storage charges must be paid by the successful bidder prior to the delivery of the property.
18. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD AS-IS AND WHERE IS. NEITHER HELIOS NOR THE CONSIGNOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS OR CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY OR AS TO THE CORRECTNESS OF DESCRIPTION, CORRECTNESS OF THE CATALOG OR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL, OR OTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE
    PHYSICAL, SIZE, QUALITY, RARITY, IMPORTANCE, MEDIUM, PHYSICAL CONDITION, GENUINENESS, AUTHENTICITY, ATTRIBUTION, PROVENANCE OR PERIOD OF THE PROPERTY, OR AS TO ANY TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN LOTS SOLD. THE PURCHASER EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL HELIOS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY COMPENSATORY, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
19. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION. By bidding at HELIOS auction the purchaser or bidder agrees that the binding contract, created by these terms and conditions of sale, is made and performed in the State of New York, and should any dispute arise from this contract the jurisdiction for contractual disputes is the State and County of New York. The rights and obligations hereunder are governed by New York law, excluding its conflict of law rules. All bidders and sellers irrevocably consent to service of process or any other documents in connection with proceedings in any court by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile transmission, personal service, delivery by mail, or in any other manner permitted by New York law or the law of the place of service, at the last address of the bidder or seller known to HELIOS.
20. BINDING CONTRACT EFFECT, MODIFICATIONS, AND SEVERABILITY. The items offered for sale by HELIOS are offered either as agents for consignors or by HELIOS as owners. The contract for the sale of the items is made therefore between the consignor of the property and the buyer. In cases where HELIOS owns the property, the contract for sale is made between HELIOS and the buyer. The terms and conditions of sale shall bind the successors and assign of all bidders and purchasers and inure to the benefit of HELIOS’ successors and assigns. No waiver, amendment, or modification of the terms hereof (other than posted notices or oral announcements during the sale) shall bind HELIOS unless specifically stated in writing and signed by HELIOS. If any part of these terms and conditions of sale is for any reason invalid or unenforceable, such portion shall be stricken and the rest of the terms and conditions of sale shall remain valid and enforceable.

* – This lot contains or is made of ivory, and is subject to CITES, Federal, and State regulations when shipping interstate and/or exporting. See paragraphs 14 and 15 of the Terms and Conditions of Sale. Elephant Ivory Statement and Notice: Lots containing elephant ivory are offered for sale online only from our Florida representative’s office. These lots are not sold in New York State, and are not available for purchase, inspection, or pick up at our New York office. Helios is committed to complying with all Federal and State laws and regulations. At Helios, it is our priority to make sure that all items offered for sale at the auction will comply with current laws and regulations. Please note: Certain states might have restrictive ivory laws. We cannot and will not ship items containing elephant ivory to California, New York, and New Jersey. Please make sure to check your local laws and regulations before bidding on these items. In addition, before shipping or otherwise taking possession of an elephant ivory mounted item you must sign and deliver to us a waiver of all risks, responsibilities, potential loss of value, or any other loss, damage, or liability that might arise upon your acceptance of the item.