LONDON.- ARBY hosts mobile-first, daily digital auctions backed by seasoned auction professionals. Auctions hammer at the same time each day (2pm GMT, 9am EST, 10pm HKST. Founded by Richard Brierley, a near 25-year veteran auctioneer of art, wine and collectibles.
Brierley explains “Despite everyone spending a lot more time at home, attention is the real prize in engaging with collectors and passionate professionals. By limiting each auction to just a handful of lots, at most, ARBY requires just a few moments of your time each day – at the same time – but always something new. The goal is to make ARBY a fixture in your daily calendar. You don’t have to sort through hundreds of lots to find a treasure!”
“As an auctioneer for over 20 years, I started ARBY with a desire to bring the back and forth competition of a live auction to a mobile world. The daily auctions are best experienced on the app; available for Android and iOS, swiping right to bid in a live auction and inputting your max bid from a drop down for timed auctions.”
“More than the functionality, I wanted to bring a fast moving ethos to ARBY; matching auction traditions with newer and more transparent e-commerce models.” That’s why the increments are small by traditional standards and the buyer’s premium, as well as an estimate of other costs, are spelled out for each lot. Things like Artist Resale Rights, delivery costs and taxes are right in front of you as you browse. Clients are invoiced straight after the sale and, logistics allowing, items are sent out as soon as payment is received.
The fast-paced nature also applies on the sell side. Sellers can make a consignment enquiry with photos directly from the app and a seller’s personal auction can be live within 48 hours of receipt, and auctions scheduled to close within 2 weeks or less.
Live Auctions are broadcast from ARBY Studios, located in Lots Road, London. Whilst ARBY is and will remain at its heart digital, when guidelines allow, we will be showcasing works for viewing by appointment there too. In the meantime, we will be rolling out Voiced Virtual Viewings right in the app. A short video, in lot description, of the work with commentary from our co-host.
That is a further point of difference of ARBY: “We are building an excellent group of partners around the globe. We are calling them ‘co-hosts’”: Specialists in a myriad of collecting areas who will cohost with us for specific lots or collections. They will lend their expertise, voice a condition report, and act as consultant-specialist for the day. This way we can partner with the best people to auction anything that is collectible, from Burgundy to Bansky, from Bronzes to Birkin Bags.
