Trust & safety
How Auctium protects both sides
Buying a special object from a stranger requires more than good intentions. Auctium is built around four guarantees that make every transaction safe — for buyers and for honest sellers alike.
Escrow on every order
The buyer's payment is held by Auctium — never sent to the seller — until the object arrives and the inspection window closes.
€25,000 seller deposit warranty
Every seller places a refundable deposit warranty before their first listing. It's the standing guarantee behind every lot they offer.
Expert review before listing
Specialists examine every submission — condition, provenance, documentation — and reject what doesn't meet the standard.
Disputes handled by people
Something not as described? Open a dispute from your order page and our team steps in while the money stays safely in escrow.
Escrow, step by step
When the hammer falls, the winner pays the hammer price plus the buyer's premium. The funds are held by Auctium while the seller ships — insured, tracked, signature on delivery. From confirmed delivery, the buyer has 7 days to inspect the object. Only then — or when the buyer confirms acceptance earlier — does escrow release the proceeds to the seller, minus commission.
Expert review
No listing goes live without passing our specialists. Each submission is examined for condition, completeness and consistency — serial and date codes on watches, hallmarks and certificates on jewellery, signatures and provenance on art. Reviewers set the published estimate range and may request additional documentation from the seller.
If something goes wrong
If an object arrives not as described, open a dispute from your order page within the 7-day inspection window. The money stays in escrow — the seller is never paid — while our team reviews the case with both sides. If the claim holds, the sale is unwound: the object goes back insured, and you are refunded in full. The seller's deposit warranty backs the outcome, so a resolution never depends on the seller's goodwill.
The complete coverage rules — what is and isn't protected, claim timelines and the escrow mechanics — are in the buyer protection policy.
Read the practical guides for buyers and sellers, or check the fee schedule.