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Packing and Shipping
When your antiques tour is over and we drop you off at your hotel or airport for your return flight home you can be confident that we'll still be in contact with you for several more days, at least until your purchases are delivered to your home or business to your complete satisfaction.

From the moment you confirm your tour with us we'll introduce you to our preferred shippers, Robinsons. You'll actually be dealing directly with your own account manager who will personally take control of your shipment, though we'll always be on hand to provide any back-up that might be required and will continually monitor collection of your items to ensure everything runs to plan.

When you purchase an item you'll have three options of completing the transaction.
1. Cash is favourable and often secures a good deal, but of course this is not always practical.
2. Many dealers will accept most credit cards.
3. Your manager at Robinsons will be pleased to open a Clients Account for you. This is possibly the best option, particularly if you are likely to buy from several sources. 

In fact, if you are negotiating a price with a dealer we'll tell him that Robinsons will pay on your behalf via your Clients Account. This usually helps the dealer to offer you a good price as he knows that no credit card charges will be incurred which he may otherwise need to take into account and also that he will be paid directly and quickly.

You can fund your Robinsons Clients Account by credit card with individual payments for each item you buy, or transfer a sum of your choice to cover several possible purchases, this can be done by credit card or an international bank transfer prior to your tour starting if you prefer to. If you choose the latter any surplus you have lodged is credited to your shipping charges.
Credit card payments usually carry a 2% transfer fee.

Whilst it may not be possible to provide an exact quotation of shipping charges as this will be dependant on the purchases you make, but we will on your behalf obtain a quotation for your consideration well before your tour starts. This will provide a cost per cubic foot, documentation, customs clearance and insurance charges. Any duties or taxes, if applicable are charged at cost. Wherever possible your quotation will also include onward delivery charges.

As your tour with us progresses we'll create a purchase list and also keep Robinsons updated who will liaise with the dealer, forward payment to them if required and arrange collection of your items. Once all your items are collected they'll be consolidated at their warehouse near Bristol, larger items of furniture will be expertly wrapped, smaller, fragile items will be securely packed into cartons.

With over 100 years experience of international packing and shipping, Robinsons regularly attend major antiques fairs in England such as Newark, Swinderby and several similar events throughout France and Italy, they also frequently collect from the Paris Flea Markets. Their shipping services to the Far East and Australia are usually fortnightly whilst services to the USA are every week.

If you have visited Britain and shipped antiques on occasions before you may have an alternative shipper that you would prefer to continue to work with. This is perfectly acceptable to us and we will liaise in much the same way with the Company of your choice.

We hope this page offers all the information you may require and dispels any concerns you may have about shipping your goods, but please do not hesitate to 'Contact Us' by the various methods we offer through the link on the top left of this page should you need any further information.

Key points of our preferred Shippers 

Established over 100 years.

Regular collections from the antiques trade in Britain, France and Belgium.

Client Account facility offers security.

All items expertly packed for export.

Worldwide Services.
Weekly to USA.

Local delivery