Shipping / Pick Up Policy
Ruggiero & Associates, LLC is a fine art and antique appraisal and auction firm serving the entire Southeast U.S.
To join our mailing list, please email us: info@ruggiero-associates.com
Copyright © 2003-2010 Ruggiero & Associates , LLC
The UPS Store
Roger and Crystal Tapp
phone: 828-452-5770
email: store1460@theupsstore.com
Highland Moving
Shawn Skulley
phone: 828-230-2922
fax: 828-645-0051
1. Time-frame - After an auction we are processing items for hundreds of buyers within a narrow time-frame. We strive to do this as quickly and conscientiously as possible. We typically will release your item(s) to the shippers or for pick-up the day that payment clears. Once the item(s) are released, you can expect shipment within 2 weeks for common carriers, or you will be contacted with an expected schedule for hand-delivery to your area (typically within 4-6 weeks). International shipments, complicated domestic shipments, or items that require crating may take longer.
2. Pick-Ups - Please notify us as soon as possible if you plan to pick-up your item(s). All pick-ups by you or your shipping agent must be scheduled with us and should be completed no later than 3 weeks after the auction end. Item(s) left after this date are subject to a $5/day storage fee and are not insured. We can be available during normal business hours and from 10am - 2pm on the 2 Saturdays following an auction. Please note that you must provide your own labor and packing materials for pick-ups so come prepared with an extra hand and moving blankets, boxes, etc.
3. Combining Multiple Lots - Our shippers will combine multiple lots to economize your shipment IF POSSIBLE. Some types of items will require the same amount of packaging, transit, and insurance charges whether they are going the same place or not.
4. International Shipping - International buyers should expect that shipping their purchase internationally will be much more expensive than shipping domestically. The buyer is responsible for any and all import taxes, duties, or fees for their country of import. Items shipped internationally must be insured to the full value, and value will not be misstated or understated to avoid or lessen your import taxes or fees. Crating of certain items such as porcelain, paintings, and jades will be necessary for their safe transit.
5. Insurance - Insurance is required and will be included in your shipping cost. Our shippers will make every possible effort to insure that shipping damage claims do not occur. For damage in transit resulting in a total loss, insurance covers the refund of your winning bid amount, any sales tax collected, but not your shipping and insurance costs. For damage in transit resulting in a partial loss, insurance provides you with restoration and depreciation coverage. When your item is shipped, the insurance coverage provided by the third-party carrier will be in effect and their policies will be adhered to in the event of a claim. In the event of opening a package with a damaged item, please maintain the packaging material and object intact- failure to do so will greatly hinder the settlement of the claim. Contact the shipper as soon as possible, so that the issue may be resolved quickly. Claims for items hand delivered should be brought to the immediate attention of the delivery staff.
6. Pack Only / Using Your Own Shipping Account - If you elect to ship your auction item(s) on your personal/business account number, be advised that The UPS Store will pack it in the same manner that they pack all of their own account packages. If your shipment is damaged in transit and the carrier (Fedex, UPS, DHL) determines it to be insufficiently packed, The UPS Store and Ruggiero & Associates will not be liable for damages other than the original packaging charge. The claim settlement will be between the account holder and the given carrier. Any claim for a packaging refund will have to be accompanied by the damage investigation results stating that the packaging was inadequate. Prior to the packaging of your item, you will be required to sign a waiver/release stating that you understand that The UPS Store and Ruggiero & Associates are not liable for the value of the item(s) item being shipped due to damage in transit.
7. Ivory, Coral, and Tortoiseshell - Due to export prohibitions, lots containing either ivory, coral, or tortoiseshell can only be shipped within the United States.
8. Framed Art - It is important to note that for framed items we are selling the art, not the frame. If something is framed, we will generally leave the frame intact and include it as a free extra when you purchase a lot. Framed art will be packed carefully, but frames are not subject to shipping insurance claims.
2. Pick-Ups - Please notify us as soon as possible if you plan to pick-up your item(s). All pick-ups by you or your shipping agent must be scheduled with us and should be completed no later than 3 weeks after the auction end. Item(s) left after this date are subject to a $5/day storage fee and are not insured. We can be available during normal business hours and from 10am - 2pm on the 2 Saturdays following an auction. Please note that you must provide your own labor and packing materials for pick-ups so come prepared with an extra hand and moving blankets, boxes, etc.
3. Combining Multiple Lots - Our shippers will combine multiple lots to economize your shipment IF POSSIBLE. Some types of items will require the same amount of packaging, transit, and insurance charges whether they are going the same place or not.
4. International Shipping - International buyers should expect that shipping their purchase internationally will be much more expensive than shipping domestically. The buyer is responsible for any and all import taxes, duties, or fees for their country of import. Items shipped internationally must be insured to the full value, and value will not be misstated or understated to avoid or lessen your import taxes or fees. Crating of certain items such as porcelain, paintings, and jades will be necessary for their safe transit.
5. Insurance - Insurance is required and will be included in your shipping cost. Our shippers will make every possible effort to insure that shipping damage claims do not occur. For damage in transit resulting in a total loss, insurance covers the refund of your winning bid amount, any sales tax collected, but not your shipping and insurance costs. For damage in transit resulting in a partial loss, insurance provides you with restoration and depreciation coverage. When your item is shipped, the insurance coverage provided by the third-party carrier will be in effect and their policies will be adhered to in the event of a claim. In the event of opening a package with a damaged item, please maintain the packaging material and object intact- failure to do so will greatly hinder the settlement of the claim. Contact the shipper as soon as possible, so that the issue may be resolved quickly. Claims for items hand delivered should be brought to the immediate attention of the delivery staff.
6. Pack Only / Using Your Own Shipping Account - If you elect to ship your auction item(s) on your personal/business account number, be advised that The UPS Store will pack it in the same manner that they pack all of their own account packages. If your shipment is damaged in transit and the carrier (Fedex, UPS, DHL) determines it to be insufficiently packed, The UPS Store and Ruggiero & Associates will not be liable for damages other than the original packaging charge. The claim settlement will be between the account holder and the given carrier. Any claim for a packaging refund will have to be accompanied by the damage investigation results stating that the packaging was inadequate. Prior to the packaging of your item, you will be required to sign a waiver/release stating that you understand that The UPS Store and Ruggiero & Associates are not liable for the value of the item(s) item being shipped due to damage in transit.
7. Ivory, Coral, and Tortoiseshell - Due to export prohibitions, lots containing either ivory, coral, or tortoiseshell can only be shipped within the United States.
8. Framed Art - It is important to note that for framed items we are selling the art, not the frame. If something is framed, we will generally leave the frame intact and include it as a free extra when you purchase a lot. Framed art will be packed carefully, but frames are not subject to shipping insurance claims.
While we will greatly facilitate the process of shipping or pick-up of your items after an auction, the shipping arrangements and payment for packing, handling, shipment, and insurance are ultimately the responsibility of the buyer. We recommend and use the local UPS Store in Clyde, NC, and Highland Moving, a regional shipping company that specializes in the transportation of art and antiques that require hand delivery (usually within 500 miles of Western North Carolina). You are also welcome to pick-up yourself or make arrangements to have another shipping company pick-up for you. If you choose to ship with the local UPS Store or Highland Moving, we can include shipping on your invoice and everything can be settled with one payment.
Shipping Questions - If you would like a shipping quote, you may use our Shipping Quote Request form, or contact the shippers directly:
Shipping Questions - If you would like a shipping quote, you may use our Shipping Quote Request form, or contact the shippers directly:
Ruggiero & Associates, LLC is a fine art and antique appraisal and auction firm serving the entire Southeast U.S.
To join our mailing list, please email us: info@ruggiero-associates.com
Copyright © 2003-2009 Ruggiero & Associates , LLC
