Ben Ladage Auctions
Terms & Conditions
We do everything possible to make our auctions fair and transparent.

Before bidding on-site, online or by proxy at Ben Ladage Auction Inc. auctions, you must read and accept the Terms and Conditions of Bidding. Read these terms carefully. When you register to a live auction, bid live at auction or click the "accept" button online, you enter into a binding legal agreement with Ben Ladage Auctions.
All bids submitted to Ben Ladage Auctions are final and irrevocable, whether they are submitted in person, online or by proxy. If you are the highest bidder and the auctioneer announces the lot as sold to you, you are the new owner of that item. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Registration to bid is free. Ben Ladage Auctions reserves the right to refuse the issuing of bidding cards or approving online bids and overall business if we see fit. Registered online bidders are reviewed by the auction company. Bidders may be declined due to low Hibid score or notes from other auction companies. If you feel this is done in error or would still like to bid, please phone our office at 217-652-0924 as we will be happy to work with MOST if you are interested in this auction.

Ben Ladage Auctions Inc. are not responsible for any human or computer errors. We uses a third-party software for online auctions. Ben Ladage Auctions or the software provider will NOT be responsible for any interruption in service, errors, caused by any means including power failures or website outages. This auction is conducted electronically and relies on hardware and software that may malfunction without warning. The Auctioneer, in its sole discretion, may void a sale, suspend bidding and re-sell any item/lots that were affected by any malfunction. The auctioneer is not responsible for any missed bids from live, internet, absentee, phone, or simulcast bids. All announcements made on sale day shall supersede any prior advertisements. Items are sold "as is" with no warranty and that items may not be returned.

Any items being sold with a description regarding condition, age, rarity, origin, etc. are descriptions of opinion only. The bidder accepts full responsibility in determining the value and/or authenticity of the merchandise being sold. All items sold "AS-IS", "WHERE-IS" with no warranties implied. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. We recommend that you visit the auction site to inspect any items you'd like to buy before bidding on auction day. Property and Items are open to public inspection. Bidder is sole judge of value.

To bid in this auction on-line you will need to register with a valid credit card via our secure Auction Flex registration gateway. Credit card is the default payment method. Payment will be deducted from your credit card after invoicing if payment by alternative method has not been made for to auction close.

When you bid you enter into a contract between the bidder and Ben Ladage Auctions. It is the bidders responsibility to make a payment on any items purchased . Ben Ladage Auctions has the right to bill the registered credit card at anytime to make a payment on the invoice.

The auction is a soft close auction which means that it starts to close at the time stated, however it is a staggered close meaning the entire auction does not close out at the time stated. If it is set to close at 7:00 p.m. the first lot will not close if someone has placed a bid in the last 3 minutes, then this item will stay open for 3 more minutes. This will continue until time is out. All lots will continue this way.

It is best to leave your max bid prior to auction ending. When a max bid is placed, the current bid price does not automatically go to your max bid. Another bidder has to bid to increase the current price and the computer will automatically bid on your behalf on the increments set by the auctioneer. This will happen continually after bids, until it reaches your maximum bid amount.

Payments: Ben Ladage Auctions accepts cash and credit card. Checks must be approved PRIOR to auction closing and may require a bank letter of credit. A returned check or not sufficient funds check will be charged $30 processing fee. Credit Cards will be charged following the close of an auction if no other arrangements have been made. Charges will include final bid price and a buyer's premium. Bidders hereby waive their right to initiate a chargeback on his/her credit card for any reason.

Ben Ladage Auctions will send an email invoice at the close of an online auction to the auction winners. Please check your inbox or spam box for these emails.

It is the bidders responsibility to make arrangements for any credit cards that are declined on reconciliation day. If your credit card is declined, Ben Ladage Auctions will contact ONE TIME via email or phone call. If contact is not made within 48 hours, your item is forfeited and you may be banned from future auctions.
All internet bidders agree to pay the buyer's premium listed in the auction details on the hammer price on each item they purchase.

Ben Ladage Auctions expressly forbids owners and their agents from bidding on any item they have consigned to an auction. This applies to on-site, online and proxy bidding.

Most of our auctions have a buyers premium. This is added to the final hammer price. ON MOST AUCTIONS AND ITEMS, Ben Ladage Auctions provide a 3% Cash or (approved) check discount on the BP. To get the discount, you will need to contact Ben Ladage Auctions PRIOR to the auction close.
Every item becomes the responsibility of the new owner as soon as the auctioneer announces that an item has been sold. If you are the highest bidder, you are responsible for insuring your purchase immediately.
Buyers cannot take possession of or remove their purchases from the auction site until the total purchase price and fees has been paid in full. Purchases must be removed from the site by the time specified in the auction catalogue or on the auction details page on this website.

**Please Note: MININUM $25 charge per lot if asked to bring items back to our office**
Please see lot description for additional information on items. Questions on a lot? Email auctions@benladage.com or 217-652-0924 for assistance

Display- Items used to display jewelry or other items are property of Ben Ladage Auctions and not included in the lots.

***A pick up date will be listed with all auctions. If you are unable to pick up and remove your items during the posted pickup times that have been scheduled for this auction, PLEASE DO NOT BID. The Auctioneer does NOT hold items beyond the published removal times. The Auctioneer will not issue you a refund if you are unable to pick up and remove your items during the published removal times. If you do not pick up during posted times your items will considered abandoned and will be forfeited. We will try and work with bidders if they contact us PRIOR to the pick up date, Not after.

Winning online bidders: You will need to contact the office or select shipping with Shipping Saint to arrange shipping. As always we will try and keep shipping cost to a minimum cost while still maintaining item integrity. Some large items we do not ship, contact our office prior to bidding to insure shipping on large items.

Shipping is provided by Ben Ladage Auctions on MOST items. We have partnered with Shipping Saint to provide quality shipping. You will receive both an email and text message with options of pickup or shipping. If pick up is selected you will receive the pick up instructions with date and time that was provided when registering. If shipping is selected, your items will be moved to our shipping department. Once your items are packaged, you will receive another email/text message with the shipping cost and handling fee. We select the least expensive method of shipping from USPS, UPS, and FedEx. It is up to the buyer (auction winner) to pay for the shipping of items. We do not ship large items without pre-approval prior to auction closing. We do not provide shipping quotes. We do not accept outside labels due to past fraud. Generally we do not refund shipping cost on product. We do not guarantee when shipping will be sent out. Shipping is typically done after the pick up date. Normally shipping may take 5 days to be shipped out, but may take up to 15 business days due to other auction preparation. As always we will try and keep shipping cost to a minimum cost while still maintaining item integrity.


Ben Ladage Auctions reserves the right to withdraw or re-catalog items in this auction. The auctioneer should advance the bid at his own discretion. We may withdraw any item before or during the auction. Ben Ladage Auctions may place reserves, protect, or bid in to lots on behalf of sellers. Ben Ladage Auctions may place absentee bids for buyers.

When you register with Ben Ladage Auctions you allow us to use your provided email address, mailing address, and phone number for marketing information. We will not sell your information. Opt-Out is available on all marketing.

Credit cards will be billed at conclusion of the auction and a paid invoice will be emailed to you. If shipping, you will receive and email and text message with payment instructions.
No checks accepted without prior approval or established business with Ben Ladage Auctions. We will accept checks with bank letter of credit. Please contact Ben Ladage Auctions with any questions. 217-652-0924 or auctions@benladage.com

Items not picked on the stated pickup days assumed abandoned and is forfeited by the winning bidder. IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE THE PICKUP DAY, PLEASE DO NOT BID. I am sorry but we cannot make arrangements with every bidder for a different date. Please contact our office if you have any question. We are not trying to be difficult or mean with this, it is we have other items coming in and need the space. We will try to work with you if you contact us prior to the stated pickup date. Thanks!

Fossils, Artifacts, & More - Online Auction Featuring: 245 Lots Ben Ladage Auctions - 13575 N. State Route 4, Auburn IL 62615 ENDING: Sunday September 7th at 7:00pm cst (soft close) In-Person Preview: During business hours (9am-4pm Mon-Thurs, Friday 9am till Noon) Please contact us prior to visit - 217.652.0924 to make sure we are not at an off-site pickup Preview location: 13575 N. State Route 4, Auburn IL PICK UP: Monday September 8th at 2:00pm - 6:00pm Pick-up location: 13575 N. State Route 4, Auburn IL 62615 Ben Ladage Auctions Auburn IL - 217-652-0924 View and Bid at www.benladage.com Please read Terms & Condition before bidding Please see lot description for additional information on items. Questions on a lot? Email auctions@benladage.com or 217-652-0924 for assistance. 15% Buyer's premium will be charged per item. 3% Discount for Cash or Non-Credit Card Payment (You must tell BLA prior to auction closing) Please read the Terms & Condition before bidding. NOT SURE HOW TO BID ONLINE? WE CAN HELP, CONTACT OUR OFFICE AND WE WILL WALK THOUGH THE STEPS TO HELP! The best way to bid is to leave your max amount. If you try and bid when the auction is closing, many lots are closing at the same time, and it can become confusing. ***PLEASE READ! *** IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE THIS PICKUP DAY, PLEASE DO NOT BID. I am sorry but we cannot make arrangements with each and every bidder for a different date. Please contact our office if you have any questions. Thank you. Items not picked up are forfeited and become property of Ben Ladage Auctions. We are not trying to be difficult or mean with this. We will try to work with you if you contact us. Thank you! **If we have to pick up on your behalf, there is a minimum fee of at least $25 PER ITEM to remove the item from the home and bring to our facility in Auburn. ** This is not to be mean, rude, or crude. It helps us keep track of items. Shipping is provided by Ben Ladage Auctions on MOST items. We have partnered with Shipping Saint to provide quality shipping. You will receive both an email and text message with options of pickup or shipping. If pick up is selected you will receive the pick up instructions with date and time that was provided when registering. If shipping is selected, your items will be moved to our shipping department. Once your items are packaged, you will receive another email/text message with the shipping cost and handling fee. We select the least expensive method of shipping from USPS, UPS, and FedEx. It is up to the buyer (auction winner) to pay for the shipping of items. We do not ship large items without pre-approval prior to auction closing. We do not provide shipping quotes. We do not accept outside labels due to past fraud. Generally we do not refund shipping cost on product. We do not guarantee when shipping will be sent out. Shipping is typically done after the pick up date. Normally shipping may take 5 days to be shipped out, but may take up to 15 business days due to other auction preparation. As always we will try and keep shipping cost to a minimum cost while still maintaining item integrity. ON LARGE OR HEAVY ITEMS, PLEASE CONTACT BEN LADAGE AUCTIONS PRIOR TO ENDING OF AUCTION TO SEE IF SHIPPING IS AN OPTION. Payment: Credit cards will be billed at conclusion of the auction and a paid invoice will be emailed to you. If shipping, we will send a separate invoice via email with your tracking number and shipping cost. You can pay by check or cash if you let us know prior to billing Credit Card. No checks accepted without prior approval or established business with Ben Ladage Auctions. We will accept checks with a bank letter of credit. Please contact Ben Ladage Auctions with any questions. 217-652-0924 Please read the Terms & Condition before bidding. If you need any assistance in online bidding, please contact Ben Ladage Auctions prior to the last day of the auction. Ben Ladage Auctions will accept absentee bids on items that will also include the 15% BP. All announcements made on sale day shall supersede any prior advertisements. Items sold as is where is with no guarantee unless otherwise stated prior. Any items being sold with a description in regard to condition, age, rarity, origin, etc. are descriptions of opinion only. The bidder accepts full responsibility in determining the value and/or authenticity of the merchandise being sold. All items sold "AS-IS", "WHERE-IS" with no warranties implied. Items are sold "as is" with no warranty and that items may not be returned. The auctioneer is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the description of the merchandise. The auctioneer is not responsible for any internet services failures. The auctioneer is not responsible for any missed bids from live, internet, absentee, phone, or simulcast bids. An invoice will be emailed to all winning bidders at the conclusion of the auction. Acceptable forms of payment are Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Debit Card, Cash or Check. The auction is a soft close auction which means that it starts to close at the time stated, however it is a staggered close meaning the entire auction does not close out at the time stated. If it is set to close at 7:00 p.m. the first lot will not close if someone has placed a bid in the last 3 minutes, then this item will stay open for 3 more minutes. This will continue until time is out. All lots will continue this way pick-up and removal of any items you may win at this auction. Sellers: Carol Welter Your bidding is greatly appreciated.