How do I place a bid?

There are several ways to bid on a lot you are interested in, so you can choose the one you’re most comfortable with:

1.       Commission bid: you can do this directly with us at the saleroom, either by email, telephone or in person (please note that email commission bids are not definite until you have had confirmation back from us). You must be registered either with us in the office, on Easylive or The Saleroom to place a commission bid. ID is required for registration via our office. A commission bids are ‘maximum bid’ you would be prepared to pay for a lot. The auctioneer will bear this figure in mind when taking live bids. You may end up paying less than this amount. You can put ‘+1’ after your figure if you’d like the auctioneer to use their discretion to increase your amount by one bid if necessary, to secure the sale for you.

2.       Telephone bid: for lots expected to sell for £100 or over, you can request a telephone bid. You must be registered and let us know in advance. You can have multiple telephone calls if you are interested in several lots.

3.       Online: you can bid live or in advance via Easylive or The Saleroom.

4.       In person: visit our Hazel Grove saleroom on the day of the auction and ask for a paddle number at the office. Simply raise your paddle number during the auction to place a bid.

NB bidding via Easylive and The Saleroom will incur a small fee on top of the buyer’s premium. Bidding directly through Maxwells only incurs the buyer’s premium.

Can I collect my won lots at any time?

While we understand that it would be great for buyers if they could just turn up any time to collect their won lots, unfortunately this would create complete chaos in the saleroom!

Soon after a sale, lots for the following auction start to arrive in the saleroom. This means that lots from previous sales can become inaccessible and require logistical planning and extra pairs of hands to retrieve.

Large items of furniture may require several hands to manoeuvre, and we need to ensure we have porters on hand.

Valuable items may be locked away and require certain staff members to access them.

With over 1000 lots included in each sale, you can imagine that it’s hard for us to locate individual items at the drop of a hat!

In short, collection is by appointment and within two weeks of a sale to help things run smoothly for everyone involved.

How do I find your saleroom?

The Maxwells saleroom is located on the Newby Road Industrial Estate in Hazel Grove. We are close to the Stepping Hill Maternity Unit and a short walk from the Hazel Grove Sainsburys on the A6 (Buxton Road). We have a large car park with plenty of space for cars and vans.

Postcode for SatNav: SK7 5DL

Nearest train station: Hazel Grove

Click here for train travel information.

Bus routes: 192, 199, 391, 191, 360

As always, we are just an email or phonecall away if you’d like help in finding us. If you are making a journey especially, please phone ahead to make sure we are open.

Is an auction the best way to sell my collectables?

Why Our Auctions Deliver Results That Outperform Expectations

If you’ve ever wondered whether an auction is the right method for selling your collectables, you’re not alone. At Maxwells, we believe the answer is a resounding yes, and here’s why.

The choice of platforms such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace, as well as dealers who approach you offering an immediate cash price, can be overwhelming. A cash sum may seem appealing at first, but it’s hard to know whether you were offered the best price.

First and foremost, an auction creates competition. Rather than setting a fixed price and waiting for the right buyer to come along, an auction puts your collectables in front of multiple interested buyers at the same time—often leading to bidding wars that drive prices higher than you might expect.

But not all auctions are created equal. What sets our auctions apart?

1. A Team of Experienced Auctioneers Working for You
As a family-run auction house established in 1982, we have built a reputation for delivering exceptional results through our monthly auctions of fine art, antiques, and collectables.

We don’t rely on just one auctioneer—we have a dedicated team of specialists, each with extensive knowledge of various collectable markets including coins, stamps, toys, militaria, ceramics, jewellery, and silver. This means your items are matched with the right expert who knows exactly how to position them to attract serious buyers.

2. Unmatched Advertising Investment
We don’t just list your items and hope for the best. We invest heavily in targeted advertising—both digital and traditional—to ensure your collectables are seen by the right audience. From social media promotions on Facebook and Instagram, to email campaigns and specialist publications such as the Antiques Trade Gazette, we leave no stone unturned.

3. A Truly Global Audience
Our auctions attract bidders from all over the world. With international reach via The Saleroom and EasyLiveAuction, your items aren’t limited to a local or regional market. This global reach increases the likelihood of competitive bidding, often resulting in higher final hammer prices for your items.

4. Transparent Fees, Maximum Returns
Yes, we charge fees—but those fees go directly into making sure your items are seen, desired, and bid on by the right people. And, more often than not, the final hammer price more than makes up for it.

So, is an auction the best way to sell your collectables?
Choosing to auction your collectables with Maxwells Auctioneers offers you the combined benefits of specialist expertise, extensive marketing, global exposure, and a proven track record of achieving excellent results. We are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients.

If you're ready to get started or want to speak to our team about your items, we're just a call or email away.