Criterion Auctioneers

This is a lovely old fashioned auction house. Lots of nice and interesting things on view. Don’t get scared by the estimates. Most of it sell lower than expected. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. I would go and view before the auction, as you otherwise go around the room just whispering apologies «Sorry. Pardon. Oh sorry again.» while climbing over people who are sitting down in the furniture for bidding.

This is a great place if you know what you’re getting into. Check their website, not the best site but good enough and with all the info needed. Remember the premium added on the final price and think about transportation to your place.
I have bought few items there and it always went very well. Called few times, no issue. All in all their service is pretty good and the young guys are very helpful to help pick up goods.
The range of goods is very wide, some junk at high price and some very good bargains. A lot of overpriced faux-​French and some inaccurate descriptions. I’ve seen a lot of Art Deco mirrors for £200 when you can get the exact same on the net for £100. Well that’s if you’re into «Decorex» style items. Other items are genuine antiques and you’ll know quickly and will see them in the shops around London few weeks later…
The catalogue on the website is good, available around Friday evening usually, but make sure you go and see the goods as descriptions are very short. The online bidding system is great, no need to spend Monday afternoon in the warehouse.
Happy bidding!

I never knew what a thriving auction culture there was (outside of eBay) in London until stopping by at this Islington auction house one evening. Bidding was in full swing when I arrived, and it was extremely hard not to get caught up in the moment and just put in an offer.
Criterion specialises in furniture from all periods, some quite ancient but generally in very good nick. The guide prices are extremely reasonable, and while I have not as yet been brave enough to raise my hand, can imagine I’d walk away with an absolute bargain if I did.

Worst Customer Service Experience ever in UK.
After winning at Auction the good experience ended.
I went in after the auction during the times stipulated for pick up (Written on my paperwork). Only to be greeted (and I use that term loosely) by a man who only said «No» to me before I even spoke. Confused I said I was here for a pick up and he then told me that I had 2 minutes because he is entitled to lunch.
Having hired a AddLee vehicle that was waiting for me, I left.
Spoke to the manager the following day who was not helpful despite pointing out to him the opening times on my paperwork. He didn’t believe me about his rude staff either. Refused to compensate me for the addlee car out of their commissions.
They might have good stuff but they are a far cry from delivering on service.
I’ll be avoiding in the future.

An amazing Place with new items every week … I’m impressed ! I did my first ever bidding here & won !! My only «BIG» Disappointment is with the auctioneer himself ! I attempted to chat with him regarding a couple of lots, he was short and on the border of rude. He gave me the impression that my Questions were not welcome & he had better things to do with his time ! Really disappointing as such a great place to Brose & Buy !

Great selection of old, but good furniture and art. Got everything we needed for the new flat and had a fun time doing it! Go Thursday through Sunday, look at all the loot, and place your bid! Or, go on Monday night to the auction and see what all the fun’s about!

We discovered this place after a city-​wide foraging for anything and everything that could be a replacement for the pressed wood crap from Ikea. When we wandered in, we pretty much expected to be priced out of everything. I mean, auctions, that’s for mustached men in top hats and monacles who own yachts and play poker with human skulls, right? Actually, no, the very large selection of hard wood vintage furniture had a range of prices, but we found several items that fit our specifications, at better value than Ikea! But. but. we had to win them, so we steeled ourselves for the bidding war that was certainly going to put us peasants in our place… right? Again, no! Although one item did go for higher than we wanted, the other three fit squarely in the low end of the spectrum, and we walked out with a flat-​full of beautiful vintage pieces.
The other good news is that they turn over 70% of their ware every week, so you can keep checking back with them for new stuff. we still need kitchen chairs, so we’ll be seeing them again soon. Super friendly staff will help you understand the process, and you can bid on items even if you can’t show up for the auction on monday nights. We were able to drag our stuff around the corner to our flat, but I don’t think they deliver, unfortunately.