| Founded in late 1999, Hammersite Inc. is dedicated to providing investment-grade art to an international clientele of artists, dealers, art lovers and collectors. By marrying the 20 years of experience and reknowned reputation of Ben-Ami auctioneers with the global reach and accessibility of the internet, we provide art sellers and buyers with unmatched convenience, value, service, and ease of use.
In our years of operation we have sold thousands of items, from Persian rugs to Chagalls, from to Janco to Picasso and Rubin. Auctions run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with new items arriving every day.
1. Q: To whom do the paintings in the auction belong?
A: The items on auction belong to various sellers: Hammersite.com works on a consignment basis. We receive the paintings from estates, collectors and private individuals and put them on our site for auction. Our income is from the commission charged from the buyer and the seller. None of the items for sale belong to the company.
2. Q: How long does an auction last?
A: Usually our auctions last one week, with ocassional variations depending on factors such as special requests from the seller.
3. Q: When does an auction on an item start?
A: The auction starts at the moment the first bid is placed on the item. At that moment a countdown will start (visible on the top page of the item) and show the users the time remaining until the item's auction will close.
4. Q: What is the commission charged from the seller?
A: As can be seen in the Seller's Guide, usually it is between 6% to 15%, but on desired and high value paintings it can drop down to as low as 3%.
5. Q: What is the buyer's commission?
A: See the Buyer's Guide.
6. Q: Who pays for the delivery?
A: Since Hammersite.com's platform is based on commissions only, the buyer or seller are responsible for all shipping expenses.
7. Q: What is the delivery process of a purchased item?
A: Hammersite.com does not deal with the shipping and handling of items purchased or sold on its site. However, we can provide the necessary contacts and information for such requests. Under special circumstances we may handle the delivery process. For more details see Shipping & Handling.
8. Q: What is a maximum bid?
A: The maximum bid is a special service provided by Hammersite.com so that bidders will not have to stay online at auctions, but are able to enter a maximum bid that the system will defend automatically. This allows people to place a bid at their leisure for the maximum amount they want. The maximum bid is not necessarily the amount the bidder will pay. If the client remains the sole bidder on a lower amount, that is the amount he/she will pay. Only if he/she is outbidded will the system increase the bid, up to the amount of the maximum bid.
9. Q: Is it possible to view the items?
A: all the items are on display at the Hammersite.com, offices. People are invited to preview all items at any time.
Our address: 40 Tagor St. Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv Israel.
10. Q: How do I know whether I won an auction?
A: The system automatically sends an e-mail to the winning bidder with the total due: hammer-price, the commission and the V.A.T charged. This item may also be seen on the results page with the hammer-price plus the buyer's commission only. Do not regard this as an invoice!
11. Q: I don't live in Israel, why do I have to pay the V.A.T ?
A: The V.A.T is charged on the commission, which is a service rendered in Israel, not on the full amount of the purchase. You can avoid the V.A.T if you choose to use a customs agent and pick up the item at the airport. However, this service is quite costly.
12. Q: I have some items that I wish to sell, what is the procedure?
A: There are two possibilities:
i. Contact us at our offices and after giving us as much detail as possible on the item we will schedule an appointment for appraisal:
Phone No: 972-3-7441272
Fax No: 972-3-7441273
ii. On our site's toolbar there is a "sell" icon, by entering that you are required to fill out a form with all the necessary details on you and your item. We will review this information and contact you promptly.
iii. Another way to consign items is by writing an e-mail to our offices with the relevant information with an attached picture of the item.
E-mail: auctions@hammersite.com.
13. Q: What guaranty do you provide?
A: We guaranty the authenticity of all the items sold on our site. For more details please view the user's guide.
14. Q: Do I have to insure a consigned item, or does your insurance cover that?
A: The commission includes all risk insurance.
15. Q: How can I know the condition of the items on your site?
A: The items are in good condition if not stated otherwise in the description of the item.
16. Q: I forgot my password. How do I enter my account?
A: The most secure solution is to contact us by phone. This prevents the need to send a new password over email, which may be intercepted.
17. Q: I don't have access to a computer, how do I bid?
A: Simply call us and give us your bid information and we will bid on the items on your behalf. | 
