Tennants レビュー 

I am an antique collector/dealer of over 2 decades standing and think it is important to provide an accurate account of my first experience in dealing with Tennant's Auction House.

I first approached Tennants on the 3rd September 2021 with the intention of consigning some pictures for their up coming sale, agreeing over the phone with the picture specialist to send images of some of the paintings & prints.
In particular images of a pair of late 19th-early 20th century oil paintings (a pair) by Jamieson were sent by email, after about a week we spoke over the phone in which the specialist said 'yes....you should do quite well with these....' he went onto state '...with an estimate somewhere in the range of £400-£600 or £300-£500...'.

I explained I was based in the Midlands was looking to establish a relationship with Tennant's, had a large collection of items to offer, but needed to see how these items fared first, and travelling to Leyburn would be a long journey (~175 miles each way),
We booked a meeting and I met the specialist at Tennants Leyburn on the 29th Sept 2021.
A total of 7 picture lots were listed and the Jamieson Oils were allocated for the Country House (Quality sale). The other pictures were to be researched for which the picture specialist had started to complete updating via an email exchange with myself.
We also agreed a 12% sale commission fee (clearly written on the Receipt also outlining the CH (country house sale for the Janieson Pair).

On the 15th october 2021,found out when attempting to speak with the specialist that he had left within 2 weeks of our meeting, and the head of pictures had decided not to enter the Jamieson Pair in the Country House Sale but only in a lower/general sale....

During my conversation over the phone with the head of pictures, she had decided to group together pictures that had been listed separately -this may have benefited Tennants but certainly not myself.

The sale came and afterwards I found that (unsurprisingly) the Jamieson Oils had been listed for £300-500 but had not sold -I personally think (so did the picture specialist) they would have had a much greater chance of success and warranted entry in the CH sale as I and the specialist had originally agreed.
A pair of fine early 19th century watercolour battle Seacape's I also offered sold for the bottom end estimate -I made a big loss on these, and virtually everything elese offered made a loss.

I requested that the £15 lotting fee be waved on the unsold lots which Tennants kindly agreed to, but then found out when I collected the unsold pictures and asked to see the detailed financial statement for my a/c that they had actually charged me with the £15 lotting fee for each unsold lot and had not applied the correct 12% rate we agreed This was CLEARLY written on my copy Receipt Chit sheet and carried on ALL Receipt copies including that for accounts.

Whilst I was collecting my items, the young chap who handed me my unsold items and whom I identified the accounting errors on my statement made some lame excuse as to their being a muddle up with this due to the previous specialist leaving -this was never the case as it was Clearly stated in LARGE '12% all in' on All the Receipt Chits, and the refund to the lotting fees for unsold items (after the sale) was never made because the pictures dept never communicated this to accounts.
(I had in the end approx £70 refunded to my a/c, but was made to feel it was an intrusion for asking to see my Financial statement)

I also handed over 2 vases...
The young lady I also met with on my first visit in 'Interiors' and who accepted 2 vases was fond of mentioning during our meeting '....we're (Tennants) doing very well, we made a profit of about £23 million last year and have about 2 sales a week...' -This is great for tennants, it seems all about 'Churn' but if it is at the expense of clients and only benefits Tennants then their is no point in dealing with them. By conveniently not applying the correct rates and charges this leaves clients with a 'bad feeling' that remains.

She also didn't seem to have time to stop and speak, with me.....half speaking to me & walking away to meet with the next client waiting..,

I would advise Everyone (esp sellers) To ASK for Their Statements That Show ALL Charges & CHECK THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENT (not the standard sales invoice they give you).

Set in an idyllic yorkshire setting -- lovely venue -- always been pleased with the purchases and on the few visits they have been very friendly and helpful --

Do not trust this company, they have sold me fake paintings on two occasions. Buyer beware!