Frequently asked
Questions.
Membership & Application
Who can apply?
The Collectors Club is open to serious collectors of any background. We do not require a minimum collection value or a certain number of pieces — we look for people who collect with thoughtfulness and intention.
How long does the application take?
The form itself takes around five minutes. We review applications personally, which typically takes a few days. Identity verification adds a little time on top of that.
Why do you require identity verification?
Every member needs to feel comfortable that the people they are dealing with are who they say they are. Identity verification protects everyone in the community. It is a firm requirement.
Is membership free?
Joining and maintaining a membership is free. The club takes a ten per cent commission on completed peer-to-peer transactions. There are no subscription fees or listing fees.
Can I cancel my membership?
Yes. You can leave at any time from your account settings. You can also request a full export or deletion of your data under your right to erasure.
The Platform
Is this a marketplace?
No. There are no listings, no prices on public pages, and no "buy it now" buttons. When the matching engine finds a potential alignment between two members, it asks both parties if they would like an introduction. If both say yes, a private conversation opens. What happens next is between them.
Can I see other members' collections?
Members can choose how visible their collection is — public, members-only, private, or matchable-only (visible to the engine but not to browsing members). You control your own visibility at the item level.
Are my messages private?
Yes. Messages between members are end-to-end encrypted. The platform holds ciphertext only. Even the team cannot read them.
What is the matching engine?
It is a background process that compares your collection (items you've marked as available) against other members' wishlists, and vice versa. It runs when you update your collection or wishlist, and does a nightly sweep. It never introduces members automatically — both parties must agree.
What categories do you support?
We launch with watches. Cars, cameras, whisky, and vintage pens are being added as the community grows. The infrastructure supports any category — it is a configuration change, not a rebuild.
Transactions
How do transactions work?
When two introduced members agree on a deal, either party can record it inside their conversation. The platform collects the ten per cent commission from the seller, via Stripe or bank transfer. Once commission is paid, both members are marked as complete.
What is the ten per cent commission for?
It covers platform costs, the work of running the community, and Ben's time. It is only charged on completed deals — there are no fees for introductions that do not result in a transaction.
Do you offer in-person handover?
Yes. We maintain a presence in Knightsbridge, London, where members can arrange an in-person handover for valuable pieces. Slots are managed through the platform.
Another question? Get in touch.