FAQ – Buying

If you are considering selling your collector’s items, we recommend that you take advantage of the excellent market conditions at our international auctions.

• Worldwide connections: For more than 50 years, we have been maintaining excellent relations with collectors, dealers, investors, institutions and private customers all over the world.
• Outstanding selection: In the course of more than 50 years, we have sold collections and individual pieces worth more than half a billion Swiss francs in total.
• Online and hall auctions: By offering auctions both in our auction hall and online via live stream, we are able to reach a maximum of potential buyers.
• Excellent returns: Our choice selection makes for excellent prices. We’ve held the turnover record of 33 million Swiss francs for a stamp auction for decades now.
• Quality of service: We foster business relationships built on trust by offering top quality, both in terms of services for our customers and selection.
• Credit rating, security, independence: We are a fully independent, owner-managed family business with enough equity to secure your items.
• Personal commitment: We, that is Peter Rapp, Marianne Rapp Ohmann and team personally look after each and every customer, tailored to their individual needs.
• Tradition: We have been a leading auction house with unwavering success over the past 50 years.

We offer various options to help you purchase the items of your dreams.

Auctions: We regularly hold both in-person and online auctions. Items and collections are sold publicly, or just online over the internet, to the highest bidder.

Shop Now: All items can be purchased at a set price from our online shop.

Bidding at one of our auctions is really easy. Simply register in writing post, by e-mail, online or in person – this is irrespective of whether you would like to bid in person or online. We generally need a copy of your official identification document for registration. We normally ask new customers to secure their account with a valid credit card. Please note that we may ask for a bank or third-party reference before accepting bids for particularly pricey items.

There are several ways to take part in our auctions. You can take part in our hall auctions by attending personally, or by placing your bids over the phone. You can also bid over the internet during our live stream. You may also submit your written purchase orders by post, e-mail or via our auction platform.

All items are open for viewing at our auction house several days before being auctioned. During these free, public viewings, our experts are at hand to answer any questions. For dates, times and places, please go to Auctions.

The items presented via the Shop Now online shop may be viewed by appointment.

Our general auction conditions lay down the conditions under which Rapp Auctions and consignors agree the sale of a lot to a buyer. Please note that conditions vary between departments. Please read the conditions carefully prior to placing a bid. By registering for placing a bid or placing a bid during an auction you automatically agree to the respective conditions.

A commission of 25% on all awards plus postage, insurance and any additional services will be added to the bid amount.

The statutory VAT rules may vary between departments. For further information, please read the general auction conditions. Do you have any questions? Our team will be happy to provide you with information.

Auction invoices will generally be dispatched by e-mail one week after the auction ends. Please check the delivery address on your invoice to ensure that your purchases are sent to the correct address. If you have any special requests concerning delivery, please let us know so that we can arrange for your request.

You may pay by credit card. The limit is CHF 2,000. Any amounts beyond this limit must by paid by bank transfer.

Depending on the item, its carat weight, value, number of pieces, delivery method and destination, dispatch times may vary. They also depend on the payment for the auction invoice including shipping costs having been fully paid.