1) Contact. We can be contacted via telephone, fax or email. In the initial contact, the department will attempt to obtain the appropriate information to determine how best to serve you. In some cases, this can be done over the telephone. In other cases, it may require photographs and listings or even a live person visit from one of the members of the department. 2. Proposal. After gathering the necessary information the department will provide you with a clear and concise proposal. This can be a verbal proposal or, on large collections and estates, a written proposal. The proposal would cover all details and fully explain the process. 3. Contract. Julia’s contracts are straightforward, simple and to the point. They cover all details concerning the auction. A detailed listing of everything consigned with preliminary presale estimates would also be included. 4. Moving. Julia’s can arrange for or personally move literally any and all items to be consigned. On very large estates and collections, moving is usually free of charge. On incidental or smaller estates, there may be a nominal fee. 5. Insurance. Your goods are completely insured from the time we take possession until they have sold and you are paid. The fee for insurance is 1%, which covers you completely. 6. Commission Rates. Julia’s terms are the most competitive in the business, particularly for more valuable items.The commission is tailored to the specific item and/or collection being consigned. Generally speaking, the more valuable the objects are, the lower the commission rate, and the less valuable the objects are, the higher the commission rate. On very valuable and expensive items, the commission rate can be as low as 0%. There are never hidden fees. 7. Photography. All the lavish color photographs are taken in-house in one of three separate photography studios. Our focus is on presentation and our photos are some of the finest in the industry. All graphic design work is done in-house where we have complete control. 8. Cataloging. All items are fully described, along with size, a condition report, approximate presale estimate, provenance and history when important. We are one of the few auction companies in North America that guarantees our catalog descriptions. Most auctioneers sell everything “as is, where is” or “caveat emptor”. The expertise of our staff and consultants allows for us to give this almost unique limited guarantee. It stands to reason that bidders will always bid higher if they have a guarantee and indeed this is one of the reasons we have consistently brought a stronger rate of return for our consignors. 9. Marketing and Promotion. Our marketing and promotion is extremely comprehensive including print ads, lavish brochures, detailed catalogs, vast internet exposure, a unique telemarketing division and much more. Our marketing program is one of the most aggressive in the industry. 10. Preview and Auction Day. All Julia auctions are conducted in our large stateof-the-art, modern and comfortable auction facility which minimizes the unnecessary handling of your valuable goods. (Many auctioneers use rental facilities requiring additional packing, moving and handling, and thus, potential for damage or loss.) Items are very attractively arranged for the preview. Valuable, small and delicate items are under glass. Items are laid out in numerical order so that they can be easily viewed. As an item is auctioned it is displayed in color on huge television screens. Julia’s has an in-house shipping department to professionally and properly package and ship anywhere in the world. 11. Settlement and Payment. A timely settlement including a full accounting of all objects offered is sent to the seller. 12. Appraisals. As a matter of business, free verbal appraisals are offered on any items to be consigned. Detailed written appraisals for insurance purposes can be provided for a fee.