Auction House Fees

[Kipster]

Morning all.

I'm just having a look at Baldwins (now The Strand) auction fees as I'm looking to put up a coin that I recently got. Reading their terms, it looks like their vendor's fee is the same as the buyer's fee at 20% plus VAT. Is this normal? It seems excessively high to me, as they'll be making around 48% in total for any lot they sell. Or is this just the way of the world right now?

[VickySilver]

If the coin is valuable enough (possibly 5k pounds or above) they may not charge any at all - which is customary for many larger auction houses. I sold one of those "big ticket" coins, well two of them, and got back 105% of the sales price. In other words, they paid ME 5% of the buyer's commission.

Contact them and ask what they might do for you.

[Kipster]

1 hour ago, VickySilver said:

If the coin is valuable enough (possibly 5k pounds or above) they may not charge any at all - which is customary for many larger auction houses. I sold one of those "big ticket" coins, well two of them, and got back 105% of the sales price. In other words, they paid ME 5% of the buyer's commission.

Contact them and ask what they might do for you.

Thanks Vicky, that's interesting to know. It's not as valuable as that, probably about a grand, but may be worth the ask as you say.  

Much obliged.

[Mr T]

On 4/21/2023 at 5:02 PM, Kipster said:

Is this normal?

Seems to be - buyers fees and sellers fees together are now standard, though I have seen some auction houses pay you for the big ticket lots as VickySilver said.