About Me
I have been collecting and buying/selling art deco for over 40 years and in doing so have made many, many friends worldwide, indeed many of my customers are repeat purchasers. Some people are unhappy to buy from a website and understandably reluctant to give financial details over the web.
I much prefer to make verbal contact with my customers before making payment arrangements – thereby providing a more personal service to potential customers. I find my customers appreciate a personal service on a one to one basis, which is why viewing is strictly by appointment only. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for a reassuring chat, or to discuss any detail of a purchase you may be concerned about.
All the information on my websites has been checked for content and accuracy, but the possibility of errors does exist. All items on my sites are, to the best of my knowledge, original art deco pieces from the era, unless otherwise stated. I currently stock hundreds of original art deco figures, figural lamps, figural clocks, ceramics etc., plus sections dedicated to art deco jewellery and related items – possibly the biggest collection in the world?
Item Descriptions
We work hard to ensure that all pieces are described accurately and with a condition report and photos prior to purchase, but due to the vast quantity of stock and limited webspace, it has not always been possible to give a full website description and condition report on every item.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, by phone or email, if you require a more in-depth description or condition report, or further pictures, quoting the item reference number.
As you will see from our item descriptions, we do our best to provide potential customers with accurate descriptions of items listed, however I would remind buyers that they are buying antique or vintage items which are most certainly of age and will have some wear from use unless otherwise stated. Please do not expect such purchases to be like new or without sign of age or wear, as those items are more than likely to be reproductions.
Returns
We do not accept returns unless the item has been mis-described by us or we have made an error in the product description. It is not our policy to part with our stock on approval, and take it back if someone changes their mind.
The paper work and website work to re-install an item into stock is very time consuming and can lead to confusion in bookkeeping etc. However, under certain circumstances we are prepared to purchase our old stock back, or take it back in part exchange, but any return taken back by us (at our discretion) may incur a handling charge. We cannot be held responsible for shipping costs incurred. Obviously your statutory rights will not be affected.
Electrical Fitments
It is expressly recommended that any item with an electrical connection purchased from these pages, be rewired and checked by a qualified electrician who has experience of local electrical connections and regulations, as some of these fittings are old, (possibly up to 100 years old), of foreign manufacture and therefore possibly less than the current minimum required standards.
Opening Hours
As my company is mainly web-based, I operate a viewing by appointment basis – but to suit my customers whenever possible. Therefore we are generally available for viewing at any time, including evenings and Saturdays.
Please try to give plenty of notice if you would like an appointment – especially as your items of preference may be at my storage facility some 10 minutes away. Some larger items may have to be viewed at the storage area and will therefore require an onward journey.
Clocks
In general we buy clocks for their physical appearance rather than their function, and the presence of a nice figure on top helps. However, when purchasing clocks we do try to ascertain whether a clock is in working condition or not – which is not always easy to do on the spot, and we will pass on to its new owners the accompanying bell, pendulum and key.
Consequently, we can never guarantee that a clock is working, or that it will continue to work after sale, (the original guarantee probably ran out 80 years ago). We do not have the space or time to bench test movements and consequently we can only indicate whether we have had a clock working for a short test. It is possible that the mechanism has been replaced sometime in the clock’s life, it is possible that the original pendulum, bell or key have been lost and replaced, it is also possible that we will not be able to supply a pendulum, bell or key which fits correctly.
As a consequence when buying a clock from Sheryls Art Deco, please feel free to ask us if it is working. We will try to give an honest opinion of the condition of a clocks workings, but we are not clock experts. This type of clock movement has been in production for a long time and are well known to be very robust. Generally speaking if a clock has not suffered any broken parts (rare), and that we are able to get it running for a short time, it may be possible to get it running with just a simple clean and service.
We unfortunately cannot perform this service, but there are plenty of clock repairers who can. Alternatively, if a clock movement is beyond repair, it is possible to have a clock movement replaced with a battery run quartz movement, which means a beautiful art deco clock will be able to keep time perfectly without having to wind it up.
Shipping Information
Shipping, Delivery or postage costs must be met by the customer unless agreed otherwise prior to the sale. We can arrange for the delivery or postage of your purchased items. We do not charge for this packing service but purchasers must pay the appropriate postal/shipping costs which should cover available insurance.
Shipping is expensive for heavy and larger items. For bulk or larger items I have a shipping agent who crates expertly and has been praised on many occasions for his work. The smaller items I pack myself exceptionally well with professional packaging materials to avoid breakage. I recommend the less time spent in transit the better. For items purchased from abroad, the importer is always ultimately responsible for their own country’s import requirements and for ensuring their importation complies with all necessary rules and regulations.
Payment
All goods and services must be paid for in full before collection or delivery. I accept Mastercard and Visa credit/debit cards, American Express, PayPal, bank transfer, cash or UK personal cheque – to be cleared prior to shipment. Overseas buyers may pay by international money order, bank (wire) transfer.
International rates are calculated at the bank’s rates for that day. Please note that payment must be in UK pounds sterling, or they will incur an additional bank charge to convert to sterling.
Our new website has provision for a shopping cart and purchasing online. Gradually we intend to make most items available to purchase this way but currently only jewellery and some smaller items are available to purchase this way.
We are fully PCI DSS compliant.
Unfortunately because of high fees for Paypal payments, we will have to pass on their fees to the customer – around 4%.
Discount
As a general rule, I do not reduce/discount item prices as I consider my prices to be reasonable, but I do consider each item/purchase individually.
Any discount is discretionary, and is available to trade and private purchasers alike, but may not necessarily apply to all items or cheaper items like jewellery.
Layaway Payment Scheme
I will consider a lay away scheme for purchasers. A preferred 20% deposit secures an item and regular payments are expected until full payment (including postage) is made. I will then despatch the item or it can be collected by the customer. A number of my customers use this facility and I am happy to operate this scheme.
Location
We are based at Limpsfield Chart (Oxted), Surrey, England – only a 5/10 minute drive from Junction 6 of the M25. Rail links to Oxted (East Grinstead and Uckfield line) from London Victoria and London Bridge are very good and will take approximately 40 mins.
We are 20 minutes walk from Oxted station and I will do my best to provide transport to and from the station for anyone purchasing items, and for those less energetic art deco lovers, subject to prior arrangement.
Please feel free to ring me if you require any help or further information regarding directions etc.
Valuations
I am sorry but I do not give valuations and am unable to give information on products not purchased from Sheryl’s Art Deco.
Please note that viewing is strictly by appointment only. This allows me to give a reasonable amount of time to each customer, and due to the volume of stock, viewing can take a considerable time.
Sheryl’s Art Deco Limited is registered in England – Registered Company Number 7987791. Our full postal address is: The Pool House, Kent Hatch Road, Limpsfield Chart, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0SZ.