MADAM – Payments to auctioneers, be it for objects or postage and packing, seem to be mired in mystery and confusion.
I buy many lots through thesaleroom.com [sister brand of Antiques Trade Gazette] and make payment either through the site or directly with the auction house.
Of late, I have experienced several auction rooms refusing to accept payment of more than £200 on the telephone and instead ask me to do bank transfers via online banking. I don’t do online banking as I never remember passwords, and am too long in the tooth to bother to master it.