Terms Of Service

These terms set out the basis on which Tarquins Records provides buyer-side sourcing, auction attendance, auction representation, shortlist review, and related record-acquisition services.

Scope of service

Tarquins Records acts on the buyer side only. Services may include locating target items, checking likely pressing or condition details, preparing shortlists, attending auctions, placing bids or arranging representation, and coordinating purchase follow-through where agreed in writing.

Territory focus

Tarquins Records prefers to act as a buyer-side agent in English-speaking and French-speaking territories and is mainly set up for the acquisition of music items within Europe.

Instructions outside those territories or outside the European music market may still be considered, but only where Tarquins Records confirms that the mandate is commercially and logistically suitable.

No guarantee of acquisition

An instruction to search for, attend, or represent a buyer at auction does not guarantee that an item will be found, secured, or acquired. Availability, bidding competition, seller conduct, condition issues, and late changes outside Tarquins Records’ control can all affect outcome.

Escrow requirement for higher-value auction attendance and representation

Where the expected hammer price, bidding limit, or combined mandate exposure is above £1,000 GBP, or the nearest round equivalent in local currency of the same order of value, Tarquins Records may require cleared funds to be placed in escrow with a solicitor before auction attendance or bidding begins, unless Tarquins Records confirms a different arrangement in writing.

For guidance, Tarquins Records may treat approximately €1,200 EUR, ¥200,000 JPY, or 5,000 QAR as the corresponding local-currency threshold for this higher-value requirement. Below that level, Tarquins Records may agree another payment structure in writing.

The escrow amount must be sufficient to cover the expected hammer exposure and any associated buyer-side costs that may arise under the agreed instruction, including attendance costs and disbursements.

Auction attendance costs and travel expenses

All costs of attending, travelling to, preparing for, and carrying out an auction mandate are payable by the client whether or not any lot is successfully acquired.

These costs may include, where relevant, travel time, rail or air fares, mileage, taxis, parking, accommodation, subsistence, venue access costs, document handling, courier coordination, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses connected with the instruction.

Tarquins Records may require those costs to be funded in advance through solicitor escrow, an agreed retainer, or another written payment arrangement before attendance takes place.

Attendance cost estimate and written approval

Before travel or attendance begins, Tarquins Records may issue a fixed attendance fee, a written cost estimate, or a short schedule of anticipated expenses for the relevant mandate.

The client’s written approval by email, message, signed instruction, or other written channel is sufficient authority for Tarquins Records to incur those attendance costs and to recover them from escrow, retainer funds, or direct reimbursement.

If materially higher attendance costs become necessary because of changes to the sale timetable, venue, travel routing, additional viewing requirements, or other circumstances outside Tarquins Records’ reasonable control, Tarquins Records will seek further written approval where practicable before incurring the additional amount.

Use of escrowed funds after a successful acquisition

Where an auction item or items are successfully acquired under the agreed mandate, the legal representative holding the escrowed funds may, in accordance with the agreed instruction, apply those funds toward:

• auction attendance costs, travel expenses, and other agreed disbursements already incurred in carrying out the mandate
• the purchase price of the item or items
• buyer’s premium, taxes, or equivalent auction charges where applicable
• delivery, shipping, packing, insurance, or collection costs
• the agreed commission payable to Tarquins Records

Return of escrowed funds where no purchase completes

If no acquisition is completed under the relevant auction mandate, the legal representative will return the unused balance of the client’s escrowed funds securely to the client’s nominated account, after deducting any attendance costs, travel expenses, solicitor handling charges, bank charges, and other third-party or agreed costs properly incurred in carrying out the instruction, including any approved attendance fee or approved estimate.

Lower-priced items and post-event settlement

For lower-priced items, Tarquins Records may allow settlement after the event once a working relationship has been established and Tarquins Records is satisfied that post-event settlement is appropriate for the instruction. Any such relaxation is discretionary and must be agreed case by case.

Commission and additional costs

Commission, attendance costs, travel expenses, and any handling arrangements should be agreed before purchase activity begins wherever possible. If a matter proceeds urgently, Tarquins Records may confirm those points by email or another written channel before funds are applied, and the client’s written approval will be treated as binding authority to proceed on that basis.

Condition and authenticity

Tarquins Records uses reasonable care when assessing listings, catalogue data, seller descriptions, photographs, and available provenance, but does not give an absolute guarantee of condition, authenticity, completeness, or future resale value unless expressly stated in writing.

Client instructions

The client is responsible for giving clear instructions on budget, priority, acceptable condition, territories, variants, and any non-negotiable requirements. Tarquins Records may rely on those instructions when searching, shortlisting, or representing the buyer.

Discretion and confidentiality

Tarquins Records may handle instructions on a discreet basis. Where requested and appropriate, additional confidentiality arrangements, including an NDA, may be agreed separately.

Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tarquins Records will not be liable for indirect or consequential loss, missed opportunities, seller default, auction house conduct, courier failure, customs issues, or market movements outside its reasonable control. Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Changes

These terms may be updated from time to time. The version in force at the time of the relevant instruction or mandate will apply unless otherwise agreed in writing.