Dix Noonan Webb to utilise all of their online capabilities to host an increased number of auctions
LONDON.- In response to Covid19 and the temporary on/off restriction of movement that this is likely to entail for many of their customers across the world, Dix Noonan Webb, the international coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialists, have announced that they are planning to utilise all of their online capabilities to host an increased number of auctions over the next few months.
As Chairman & CEO, Pierce Noonan explains: “In the last three weeks we have noted unprecedented levels of activity on our website, a trend we expect to continue over the months ahead. We anticipate that during this period many collectors will have more time to spend on their hobbies than usual, and it is therefore our intention, with the aid of our tried and tested online technology to step things up a gear and host more auctions than ever before. DNW’s auctions will continue to be run in the conventional manner with one of our expert auctioneers controlling the sale and we hope these will prove a source of interest and pleasure to our clients throughout this difficult period.”
All of DNW’s online capabilities have been developed in-house and are therefore completely within their control. However, what is not within their control is the production of printed catalogues and their subsequent delivery across the world. For this reason they will temporarily cease production of printed catalogues for the majority of their auctions. Their electronic catalogues will all be presented to the highest standard and available free of charge – downloadable and printable by anyone in an instant, with high definition images of every lot offered being available on our website as usual.
Contingencies have been put in place to deal with a variety of scenarios and all staff are equipped with laptops to enable them to work remotely from any location. In line with government advice their Mayfair office is currently staffed by essential workers only. In all eventualities the vast majority of DNW staff will be working and fully contactable by phone and email during normal office hours. Phone calls made to a member of staff’s direct landline will seamlessly divert to their mobile phones when they are not in the London office and the main telephone switchboard will continue to operate as usual.
As Pierce Noonan, also noted: “We will follow government guidelines on customer/staff interaction and decisions on physical viewing of lots, etc and how this is managed will need to be reviewed in line with any advisories at the time. The current situation is obviously fluid and information will be regularly updated on our website.”
At times of interruption to the postal service DNW will offer affected clients fully insured secure storage, free of charge for as long as is required. UK customers should note that normally several members of staff on the road at any one time, collecting consignments and liaising with customers who will be happy to accommodate any requests for delivery of auction purchases if they can. A plan to coordinate regional drop-off points is currently under review. Such visits would obviously need to comply with any social distancing measures, etc that might be in place at the time.
