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You have these possibilities online via My VAN HAM
Read how this works in our guide for bidding live via My VAN HAM.
ONLINE ONLY auctions differ in the bidding process from traditional auctions. All questions regarding bidding during an ONLINE ONLY auction are discussed in our detailed guide.
Register using the gray „REGISTER“ button to create your personal client account on My VAN HAM.
Enter your personal information in the registration form. We need a copy of your valid identity card (front and back) with your current physical address stated on it. If your billing address differs from your physical address or if you only have a valid passport without a valid address, we would also have to ask you to provide proof of your billing address (e.g. in the form of an electricity or telephone bill). If you wish to bid on behalf of a company, please also provide us with a current and valid proof of organisation (e.g. your extract from the commercial register). Select your desired credit limit (that is your bid limit) that applies to all of your bids within an auction. If you wish a higher credit limit than 50,000 euros, we ask you to send 2 – 3 references in the form of paid auction invoices or a credit rating of your bank. Read and accept our GTC and privacy policy and submit the form using the button „Register now“.
After your registration you will receive a confirmation email. Follow the link provided in the email to activate your client account. Please also check your spam folder. If you have not received an email your client account cannot be activated neither. In this case please contact us via: online@van-ham.com
Please note that once you have registered your client account on My VAN HAM, you will need to enrol to bid for every individual auction up to 24 hours prior to the start of the relevant auction.
After you successfully activated the confirmation link you can log in to My VAN HAM with your access data.
Each auction requires you to register to bidding separately via your client account in order to receive a bidder number.
Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „Online Catalogues“ (appears in a pop-up window). Select the auction you would like to register for. Move your mouse to this auction and enrol for it using the button „REGISTER TO BID“.
Alternatively you are also welcome to submit your absentee bid or your telephone bid directly via the online auction catalogue. This does not apply to „Live Online Bidding“.
After your registration you will be approved for the auction by us manually and only on working days. The registration for the auction as well as the submission of absentee and telephone bids can take place up to 24 hours prior to the start of the auction. We will do our best to confirm your registration also shortly before an auction, but we cannot guarantee this.
After our approvement of your registration for the auction you have the option to submit an absentee bid with a maximum price, to register for a telephone bid (with or without a maximum price that has been saved as a precaution) or to bid live on the day of the auction.
Each auction requires you to register to bidding separately via your client account in order to receive a bidder number. After your registration you will be approved for the auction by us manually and only on working days. Bids are also checked and confirmed by us. We usually do this within one working day. Until then you will be informed that you have not yet been approved for the auction or that your bid has not yet been confirmed.
For bidding via My VAN HAM we have set up a fixed limit within which you can place your bids. The limit applies to the entire auction, not just a single lot. You can increase your bid limit via your account settings of your client account on My VAN HAM.
To increase your bid limit we must ask all of our bidders to send us a copy of their valid identity card (front and back) with the current physical address stated on it. If your billing address differs from your physical address or if you only have a valid passport without a valid address, we would also have to ask you to provide proof of your billing address (e.g. in the form of an electricity or telephone bill). If you wish to bid on behalf of a company, please also provide us with a current and valid proof of organisation (e.g. your extract from the commercial register). If you wish a higher credit limit (that is your bid limit) than 50,000 euros, we ask you to send 2 – 3 references in the form of paid auction invoices or a credit rating of your bank.
Please send us all documents related to online bidding via: online@van-ham.com
You can also upload your documents by our securely encrypted website: https://www.van-ham.com/en/proof-of-identity.html
You can choose between German and English. Move your mouse to German flag on the right side of the navigation bar and select German and English.
If you have forgotten your password you will receive a new one by clicking on the button „Forgot your password?“ while the process of logging in to My VAN HAM. Please consider upper and lower case letters.
If you continue to have problems send a short message to: online@van-ham.com
We do not have direct access to the external platforms Lot-tissimo, Invaluable, Artsy and Drouot and unfortunately cannot help you here. Please contact the respective customer service.
Our experts are always available to answer any questions you may have about a particular object.
If you have any other question about online bidding please contact us via: online@van-ham.com
Daria Pinkert
+49 221 925 862-106
Yes, you can submit an absentee bid via your client account on My VAN HAM up to 24 hours prior to the start of the auction. Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to the online catalogue of the auction for which you would like to submit an absentee bid. There you can place your bid for the desired lot in the general overview of the auction lot numbers or in the detailed overview of the individual lot number (click on the corresponding lot). Enter the maximum amount for which you are willing to purchase a lot - your maximum price (without premium). Before the bid is finally submitted a window with the overall costs will open. If everything corresponds to your wishes submit the absentee bid. The auctioneer will try to purchase the item for you at the best possible price. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid.
If you submit your absentee bid less than 24 hours prior to the start of the auction, it is considered an online live bid. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid. This system-related procedure also applies to our ONLINE ONLY auctions.
An online guide is available for all questions regarding bidding via My VAN HAM before or during an auctions. ONLINE ONLY auctions differ in the bidding process from traditional auctions. All questions regarding bidding during an ONLINE ONLY auction are discussed in our detailed guide.
Yes, for our presence auctions you can bid by phone on lots with an estimate exceeding 500 euros. This does not apply to ONLINE ONLY auctions. These exclusively run online.
Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to the online catalogue of the auction for which you would like to register for a telephone bid. There you can tick the box for a telephone bid in the general overview of the auction lot numbers or in the detailed overview of the individual lot number (click on the corresponding lot).
We will call you during the auction thus you can bid „live“ on a lot by phone.
If you have concerns that you are easily reached by phone on the day of the auction, you can place a maximum price with the telephone bid for your security. Enter the maximum amount for which you are willing to purchase a lot below the checkmark for telephone bids - your maximum price (without premium). If we cannot reach you by telephone on the day of the auction, a VAN HAM Representative will try to purchase the item for you at the best possible price. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid. If we reach you by phone the maximum price you have entered will expire and you can bid on your behalf.
We broadcast our auctions live (i.e. in real time) via video on My VAN HAM. You can bid online live and save without being in the auction room. You can participate in the auction from any computer, smartphone or tablet, no matter whether you are at home or on your way.
Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „live“ (appears in a pop-up window). The live stream for the auction opens in a new window with the option to enter bids – the bidder-panel. As soon as the auctioneer calls up the lot you will see its starting price or the highest bid called „Bid: ... €“. If you have submitted an absentee bid with a maximum price online in advance, your bid will be displayed as „Your written bid: ... €“ below the current bid and the bid button as soon as your lot number is called up. In addition the bidding button is blocked if you are currently the highest bidder thus you cannot outbid yourself. If you have been outbid you can continue bidding live online. Submit your binding bid using the „... € bid“-button (written in red). „Progression“ displays the bidding history of all bidders and shows whether your bid was accepted or whether it went to a room or another online bidder.
Please note that the livestream may have a time delay of 1-2 seconds. Please place your bids quickly so that they can be considered by us on site.
No. For the use of the live online service the regular surcharge at My VAN HAM does not increase.
This also applies to the Lot-tissimo / The Saleroom platforms.
On the platforms Invaluable and Drouot the regular premium increases by 3%.
For ONLINE ONLY auctions there is no additional online fee on top of the regular buyer's premium.
Yes. You can follow our auctions live without registering or logging in to My VAN HAM beforehand.
To do this, go to the website of VAN HAM, go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „Live“ (appears in a dropdown window). The live stream for the auction opens in a new window. In this case you have no option to bid.
You can enter a maximum price (without premium) for a lot in form of an absentee bid or a maximum price (without premium) with your telephone bid.
Submit an absentee bid with a maximum price
You can submit an absentee bid via your client account on My VAN HAM up to 24 hours prior to the start of the auction on which you enter the maximum amount for which you are willing to purchase a lot - your maximum price (without premium). The auctioneer will try to purchase the item for you at the best possible price. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid.
If you submit your absentee bid less than 24 hours prior to the start of the auction, it is considered an online live bid. The regular buyer’s premium increases by 1% for the use of this online service. In this case the bidding system will automatically process your maximum price in bidding steps. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid. This system-related procedure also applies to our ONLINE ONLY auctions, with the exception that there is no additional premium besides the regular premium.
Register for a telephone bid with a maximum price
For our presence auctions you can bid by phone on lots with an estimate exceeding 500 euros. We will call you during the auction thus you can bid „live“ on a lot by phone. You can register for this service up to 24 hours prior to the start of the auction. This does not apply to ONLINE ONLY auctions. These exclusively run online.
If you have concerns that you are easily reached by phone on the day of the auction, you can place a maximum price with the telephone bid for your security. If we cannot reach you by phone on the day of the auction, a VAN HAM Representative will try to purchase the item for you at the best possible price. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid. If we reach you by phone the maximum price you have entered will expire and you can bid on your behalf.
Yes. During the ongoing auction the auctioneer announces the starting price of a lot for which you can bid as a live online bidder or a telephone bidder. If the starting price is below the limit price (i.e. the minimum price) and is sold for that, it is only accepted conditionally. In this case, it must be discussed with the consignor after the auction whether the bid will be accepted. Bids that are very far below the limit can also be rejected by the auctioneer.
You can submit written bids or telephone bids with a maximum price via My VAN HAM up to 24 hours prior to the start of the live auction starting about 20% below the lower estimate. This does not reflect the limit and may also be below it.
As a live online bidder the bidding button is blocked if you are currently the highest bidder thus you cannot outbid yourself. If you have won the lot, it will be marked with "Bought: ... €" in the lot overview of the bidder panel.
In the case of written bids, you will automatically receive a notification by e-mail on the day after the auction, whether you have won a bid or you have been outbid.
For ONLINE ONLY auctions you will be informed immediately via email that you are no longer the highest bidder thus you have the opportunity to increase your written bid. In case you have won the lot you will receive an automatic email after the auction.
You can always check the status of your bids via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a dropdown window). Choose „Bought Lots“ that shows the history of all your bids.
As a live online bidder the bidding button is blocked if you are currently the highest bidder thus you cannot outbid yourself. If you have been outbid you can continue bidding live online. Submit your binding bid using the „... € bid“-button (written in red). The current bid is displayed above the button. „Progression“ displays the bidding history of all bidders and shows whether your bid was accepted or whether it went to a room or another online bidder. If you have submitted a written bid with a maximum price online in advance, your bid will be displayed as „Your written bid: ... €“ below the current bid and the bid button as soon as your lot number is called up. This also shows you in case your written bid has been outbid.
In case you submitted a written bid you will receive an automatic email informing you whether you have won a bid or you have been outbid.
For ONLINE ONLY auctions you will be informed immediately via email that you are no longer the highest bidder thus you have the opportunity to increase your written bid.
You can always check the status of your bids via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a dropdown window). Choose „Absentee Bids (LIVE)“ that shows the history of all your bids.
Live Online Bidder: If you have submitted a written bid with a maximum price online in advance, your bid will be displayed as „Your written bid: ... €“ below the current bid and the bid button as soon as your lot number is called up. In addition the bidding button is blocked if you are currently the highest bidder thus you cannot outbid yourself. If you have been outbid you can continue bidding live online. Submit your binding bid using the „... € bid“-button (written in red). „Progression“ displays the bidding history of all bidders and shows whether your bid was accepted or whether it went to a room or another online bidder. As soon as you click the bid-button your bid will initially be listed as „received“ together with your name (your name is only visible to you). Only when this is marked as „accepted“ your bid has been accepted and was not awarded to any hall- or other online bidder.
Absentee Bids: Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). Choose „Absentee Bids (LIVE)“ that shows the history of all your bids. If you can't find your bid, there may have been an error in the transmission. In this case submit the bid again, please. If your bid is highlighted in red you have either not yet been activated for the auction or your bid has yet not been confirmed by us. We usually do this within one working day. If your bid is highlighted in green it is confirmed.
As a live online bidder the bidding button is blocked if you are currently the highest bidder thus you cannot outbid yourself. If you have been outbid you can continue bidding live online. Submit your binding bid using the „... € bid“-button (written in red). „Progression“ displays the bidding history of all bidders and shows whether your bid was accepted or whether it went to a room or another online bidder.
You can increase your absentee bid up to 24 hours prior to the start of the live auction via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). Choose „Absentee Bids (LIVE)“ that shows the history of all your bids. Select the desired lot and „Bid now“. You will be forwarded to the bidding mask and can increase your maximum price. If you submit your absentee bid less than 24 hours prior to the start of the auction, it is considered an online live bid. In this case the bidding system will automatically process your maximum price in bidding steps. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the limit price of the lot number is reached or until the other bidders have been outbid. This system-related procedure also applies to our ONLINE ONLY auctions, with the exception that there is no additional premium besides the regular premium.
You can cancel your absentee or telephone bid up to 24 hours prior to the start of the auction via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). Choose „Absentee Bids (LIVE)“ that shows the history of all your bids. Select the desired lot and „cancel the bid“.
If you still have questions, please send us a short message to: online@van-ham.com
You cannot cancel or delete a subsequent bid (after sale bid), they are binding.
No, it's not possible to bid against yourself. If you increase your maximum price, there is no risk that your new bid will be driven up by your previous bid, as this will be deleted by us.
Approximately two to four weeks after the auction, unsold lots can be purchased directly at the lower estimate plus premium.
You can submit your after sale bid via your client account on My VAN HAM. Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to the online catalogue of the auction for which you would like to submit your after sale bid. There you can place your bid for the desired lot in the general overview of the auction lot numbers or in the detailed overview of the individual lot number (click on the corresponding lot). Enter the amount for which you would like to purchase the lot and click on „Bid“. Before the bid is finally submitted you will be informed again that you are making a binding purchase by placing the bid. If everything corresponds to your wishes submit the bid. We will review your bid and get in touch with you.
After sale bids must be at least 90% of the lower estimated price. However, this minimum bid does not automatically equate to the consignor's limit. In rare cases, the minimum bid may be below the limit.
If you place a bid below the limit, we will contact you and give you the opportunity to increase your bid. If you do not do this, the lot can only be awarded conditionally. If this is the case, any bid at the limit can outbid yours and the lot will be sold to the other bidder.
You will receive an invoice by email within 48 hours after the auction and later on by post, in which all instructions for payment and shipping are listed. Please note that there may be delays due to weekends and public holidays.
If you have not received an invoice, please contact our accounting department by email. Around the auctions we receive a lot of inquiries and would ask you not to call. We process all emails as soon as possible.
The amount shall be made via Electronic Cash, by wire transfer or by bank certified cheques. Cheques shall only be accepted on account of performance. All taxes, costs and fees (including bank fees charged to VAN HAM) shall be borne by the customer.
Payments of 10,000 euros or more per calendar year will be registered according to legal requirements. Payments can only be made by the person named on the invoice. Verified and issued invoices cannot be altered.
In the event of a delay in payment, delay interest shall be charged at a rate of 1 % per month begun.
No. We do not accept credit cards.
Our accounting department is always available to answer any questions you may have about your invoice.
The shipping costs within Germany, the EU and worldwide can be found in the detailed view of the lot number in the online catalogue of the respective auction. They are listed at the very end.
If "Arrangement after the auction" is entered there, the object can not be shipped by DHL due to its size or fragility. A transport via a shipping company must then be arranged. We are happy to help you here with an overview of suitable providers with whom we work.
You can also find an overview of our general shipping costs for Germany and abroad on the left as a PDF.
There is the possibility to pick up your purchased item personally in Cologne or to have it sent to you by us. Please take into account our export conditions.
If you reserve a pick-up date, please take into account that the lots from our ONLINE ONLY auctions are located in our external warehouse in Wesseling and the pick-up can take up to 3 days for logistical reasons.
Please reserve a pick-up date in advance to avoid longer waiting times.
Our logistics department is always available to answer your shipping questions.
Call us at +49 (221) 92 58 62-0or write to us. We will process your request promptly and get back to you as soon as possible. If you would like us to call you back, please specify a time slot within our business hours (Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Your e-mail address will only be used to inform you of our current events and news. We will not share any addresses with or transmit to third parties.
Here you will find our current privacy policy.
