Seller Fees at Auctions

[hamrwood]

Trying to get a general feel for what fees a seller will pay at one of the major auction houses---Sotheby's, Antiquarum, Christies, Phillips, etc,.

Anitquarum website is pretty clear. Commissions are graduated. The higher the price, the lower the fee. Also, they charge shrapnel fees for insurance, repair, photography, etc. Hammer price determines the fee.

The other houses are a bit more opaque and it seems one has to call and speak with a rep and send description with pics to get a clear idea of seller costs.

My sense is one will pay 10%-15% seller commission off the top plus the smaller incidentals.

Buyers generally pay graduated fees as well starting around 25%.

Using a 116610LV Hulk with a hammer price of $30K, I would expect the seller to pay $4K-$6K in fees and take home around $22-$25K total.

Then there is the Value Added Tax (VAT) where applicable.

Thus, the real question is: where can one get the best price? Sell directly to a TRF Trusted Seller or auction?

I would expect a TRF seller to have a minimum margin of 25% when buying (e.g., offer $18K-$22.5K for a $30K watch). Closer to 40% would be ideal depending on the model. This is pure conjecture.

Clearly, the answer is to work the phone and do the DD. Take notes, compare, analyze risk, eschew fantasies, and gauge the market.

Anyone have any experience selling at auctions?

[m j b]

Originally Posted by hamrwood

Also, they charge shrapnel fees...

HUH?

Clearly, the answer is to work the phone and do the DD. Take notes, compare, analyze risk, eschew fantasies, and gauge the market.

Seems like that's what you should be doing.