Frequently asked questions.

Charles's fee is 15% of the net sale price - that is the final sale price after shipping costs and any platform fees have been deducted. There is nothing to pay upfront and nothing at all if an item does not sell. Formal terms are set out in the Consignment Terms.

Payment is sent within 30 days of the sale completing. The reason for this window is that buyers have a statutory right to return items that are faulty or significantly mis-described. Charles absorbs that risk - if a return happens, he handles it entirely and relists the item for resale. In practice, returns occur in approximately 1 in every 200 transactions.

If an item has already been listed, a £7.50 cancellation fee applies to cover the time spent on research, photography and listing. If it has not yet been listed, there is no charge at all.

Charles uses whichever platform is most likely to achieve the best price for each item type. This varies considerably - what works for a designer handbag is different from what works for a Frog Bike or a set of sterling silver cutlery. Knowing where to list each category is a meaningful part of the value Charles provides. He will always explain his approach for your specific items before listing anything.

Charles comes to you. Once you have spoken about what you have and what to expect, Charles arranges a time to visit, assesses each item in person and takes everything away. You do not need to bring anything to him or arrange any delivery. On collection, Charles provides a written record of every item taken and the minimum price agreed for each one.

No. Before anything is listed, you set a minimum price for each item - the amount you will receive after Charles's fee. Nothing sells below that figure without your agreement. Charles will give you an indicative price range for each item when he visits, so you can set the minimum with realistic expectations.

If an item has not sold after three months, Charles will be in touch to review the situation. Usually the minimum price needs adjusting - a common reason items sit unsold. At that point you can revise the minimum, ask Charles to return the item, or ask him to donate it on your behalf to a local charity.

If you have several items selling across different timelines, you can check in with Charles at any time for a status update. He will tell you exactly where each item stands. When something sells, you will hear from him directly.

It depends entirely on the item. Small, postable items with strong demand can sell within days. Large collection-only items (furniture, bicycles, gym equipment) can take several months because they rely on local buyers. Charles gives honest timeframe expectations for each item when he visits.

Yes - this is something Charles has experience with. Get in touch and he will discuss what is involved. He can work through a property systematically, identifying what is worth selling and what is not, and handle the whole process from there. There is a dedicated page with more detail.

Yes. Some items require local buyers who collect in person. Charles coordinates all of that - you never need to be present or meet the buyer. These items typically take longer to sell due to the smaller pool of local buyers, and he sets honest expectations upfront.

No. All items are listed under the central Charles's Marques branded account. No buyer ever sees your name, address or profile. There is no connection between the listing and you in any form. Your name on none of it.

This is a very common situation and it is handled entirely. Because everything is listed under the central Charles's Marques branded account, there is no way for the original giver (or anyone who knows you) to connect the listing back to you. This is one of the reasons people use Charles rather than listing themselves.

Charles holds only the information needed to run the service - contact details and item records. Your information is not shared with buyers or third parties. The full Privacy Policy is available on this site.

Charles does not handle counterfeit goods, stolen items, or anything in poor, dirty or significantly damaged condition. Other than that, if it has a recognisable brand name and is in reasonable condition, he can almost certainly sell it. If you are unsure, just ask.

Yes, but high-value watches and fine jewellery are handled through specialist channels rather than mainstream marketplaces. Security and discretion are the priority. Charles assesses these individually and agrees an approach before anything is listed.

Yes - and this is a particular strength. Charles has a dedicated channel for sterling silver that consistently achieves strong prices. It is particularly well suited to dated or out-of-fashion pieces - items that are no longer in everyday use but still command genuine value to the right buyer. There is a dedicated page with more detail.

Because buyers search for specifics. Someone looking for a phone searches for "Apple iPhone" or "Samsung Galaxy" - not "smartphone". A generic item competes with millions of others and gets lost. Brand names are what make items findable and what gives buyers confidence. This is why Charles focuses on branded, quality goods.

Charles is based in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire and covers South Bucks - including HP9, HP7, HP10, SL9, SL0 and surrounding postcodes. Central London is covered by arrangement. If you are not sure whether you are within range, just get in touch - Charles will always say honestly if he can help.

Three main reasons. First, Charles researches comparable sold prices rather than guessing - so items are listed at the right level, not too low or priced to sit. Second, his photographs show items in the best accurate light. Third, his descriptions use the right keywords and answer buyer questions in advance, which reduces hesitation and increases bids. In aggregate, this approach achieves around 20% more than comparable listings by private sellers.