Why do I need your help?
How are you different from dealers? Aren't dealers there to help me as the buyer?
Do dealers, auction houses and private collectors like working with you?
Do you charge for your service and what do I get for the fee I pay?
Do you work with interior designers?
Who are your clients?
Do you advise anyone of who your clients actually are?
Do you offer any after sales services?
Where do you operate?
Are you like property finders?
Question: Why do I need your help?
Maybe you have previously considered purchasing items of value and then thought whether the price was the most sensible, the quality the best and the provenance accurate?
We can offer you 'peace of mind' and confidence to purchase wisely using our network of contacts who we have known and trusted for years.
Do you wish you had more time to further an interest or hunt down something that you have always wanted?
Simply give us your brief and leave the rest to us. We will find the best available and negotiate the most sensible price for you.
We can also use our knowledge and connections to appropriately advise clients who wish to sell items of value.
Our additional services also enable us to advise clients in the following areas: Shipping, Storage, Tax, Insurance and Property Finding thus providing a comprehensive 'one-stop shop' service relating to the private purchase of items of distinction.
Our clients really benefit from being able to use a trusted independent source with a flexibility to assist in many areas.
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Question: How are you different from Dealers? Aren't dealers there to help me as the buyer?
Searchwells Etc is a completely independent company that works in the best interests of its private clients. A dealer's objective is to achieve the highest possible price for the sale of their own stock which they hold.
Searchwells Etc. acts solely for the buyer. We do not hold stock.
Our core aim is to search and secure the finest pieces at the best price for you and efficiently manage the process through to a successful purchase. Our services provide our clients with complete confidence to purchase at the most sensible prices and with discretion.
We aim to effectively and comprehensively communicate with all dealers, auction houses, private collectors etc. thereby enabling us to ensure that we have completely covered all available pieces that fit your search brief.
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Question: Do dealers, auction houses and private collectors like working with you?
Absolutely!, They are happy to deal with us because of our established relationship with them, built up over many years.
They also know that our clients are committed to purchasing and that we will work hard to find the pieces that our client(s) will really want! Therefore, if an item is viewed by us and we add it to a short list, there is a strong likelihood of purchase and that the sale will proceed smoothly and in a good time frame.
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Question: Do you charge for your service and what do I get for the fee I pay?
We do not charge for meeting time or time spent sourcing any required item, but do charge a commission on the agreed purchase price. The level of commission is variable, dependent on the item purchased, and is always discussed with you, well in advance of the purchase.
We provide independent, discreet, completely tailored customer service which is friendly, trustworthy and knowledgeable. Service you will want to rely on time and time again.
We'll get to know you and your requirements and search well and consistently until we find what you want. We'll communicate with you as you wish and, if appropriate, arrange any viewings to fit in with you. We can even arrange placement, on approval, in your home or office.
Once an item is found and you wish to proceed to purchase, we'll advise on the value, condition and implications of the purchase (if any) to ensure the sale proceeds quickly and without unnecessary worry. We will manage all aspects of the sale through for you as our priority rather than you having to fit it all in with your normal daily life.
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Question: Do you work with interior designers?
Yes! We are happy to work with interior designers, architects and any other advisors who may be working on your behalf.
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Question: Who are your clients?
Our clients are generally people who lead increasingly busy lives, or, people who do not have access to the necessary contacts to confidently further an interest. They may even be high profile, requiring a knowledgable and trusted source to discreetly act in their best interests. Or, they may live in the country, work in the city or be overseas. Offen, they are unable to keep fully up to date with all relevant stock available on the market through dealers, auctions and private collectors etc; missing out before they go under offer. Searchwells Etc. is able to support our clients and ensure they view the best items available, offered at the fairest market prices.
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Question: Do you advise anyone of who your clients actually are?
Absolutely not. Client privacy is paramount. We do not divulge your name or details when we are searching for you. And, we certainly do not pass on our client details to list brokers or other interested parties.
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Question: Do you offer any after sales services?
Yes!
If you wish us to advise on the insurance of a single purchase or an entire house contents; no problem. Or you may need assistance shipping your purchase or collection overseas - again, no problem. Perhaps you wish to ask us for help in finding a new home, then our sister company 'Searchwells.' can work with you. Additionally, we can also advise on the care and maintenance of your purchase, storage and restoration etc.
Let us know what it is you need and we'll do our best to help.
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Question: Where do you operate?
Searchwells Etc. have offices based in an 18th Century grade two listed watermill, just outside London, giving ideal access to a number of leading auction houses, fairs, dealers, collectors and private buyers. We can easily service clients throughout the UK and Europe, USA and the rest of the World.
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Question: Are you like property finders?
Yes!
The principle is very much the same. We operate in a similar way to our sister company, Searchwells, an East Anglia-based property finding company. In fact, we find that having assisted a client to find an ideal home, they often use Searchwells Etc. to search and find such items as antiques, fine art and rugs and carpets, to furnish it.
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