Why buy at auctions

To begin with, attending an auction is a completely free act: the auction rooms are open to the public and it is important to make this known.

More than an experience, buying at auction can be a bivalent act.

On the one hand, it is a responsible way of consuming because we only sell second-hand, artistic and/or craft items. This is an aspect of the auction winds that we don't talk about enough. Auctioning is eco-friendly !

Moreover, if you are a collector or art lover, buying at auction is a real guarantee because French legislation is very strict regarding auctions and the rules of responsibility governing them. The law governing auctions is extremely favourable to the consumer and has sought by all means to protect them.
Indeed, auction houses are liable for the goods sold for 10 years. If the auction house has been assisted by a specialised expert for a piece, the responsibility is shared between them.

In concrete terms, if a lack of authenticity comes to your knowledge 9 years after your purchase, you can ask the auction house to reimburse you on presentation of "valid" and serious appraisals.

This 2001 law put an end to the monopoly of judicial auctioneers on the market of art sales and sales of works of art and created a body to regulate the market and observe the proper functioning of these new rules. This is the council for voluntary sales of furniture at public auctions, which can be seized i of any problem arising with a voluntary sales operator and which will decide whether or not to investigate.
This regulatory body has significant disciplinary powers, ranging from warnings to provisional or definitive withdrawal of approval.

In addition, you can also refer to the Marcus decree (decree 81-255 of 3 March 1981) which regulates the drafting of descriptive sheets.