The main antique auction selling fee to be aware of is the seller's commission, also known as the seller's fee. This is a percentage of the hammer price that the auction house charged for its services. For instance, our seller's commission rate is 10% of the final bid at which the item is sold plus VAT.
Commission: Auctioneers often charge a commission, representing a percentage of the auction's gross sales. A 10% to 15% commission is typical for this profession. Depending on the deal, they may also receive bonuses .
This is a question we get asked a lot and it is actually pretty easy to answer: It depends on what you are trying to sell. As a rough guide; selling through an auction is ideal if you want to market your items to a wide audience. Auctions are suited to items that have a subjective value or are of low commercial value.
How Do Auction Fees Work? The seller's commission at major auction houses, such as Christie's or Sotheby's, is 15%. On top of that, you'll be asked to pay shipping, LDL (loss, damage and liability insurance), as well as a hefty marketing and cataloguing fee. These are negotiable fees when it comes to consignment.
Halls offers free online valuations of antique and fine art items, including jewellery, watches, paintings, and collectibles. Our experienced valuers can provide an initial estimate of an item's value based on a simple description and photographs.
While the simple answer is anything of value, the more complex answer goes deeper than that. Antiques, fine artwork, and classic jewelry see the best returns at an auction most of the time.
Consignment tends to be the best option for beginner or hobbyist sellers. If your product is new, use consignment as a market-testing method. You'll learn valuable information about your audience and product line. Wholesale can be the better option for serious or experienced sellers.
Typically, a valuer working for the auction house will provide you with a valuation and advise you on the most suitable auction for your items. If you decide to submit your items to auction (known as consigning), the auction house will guide you through the process.
This is because the process is much faster, marketing is more extensive and there are extra costs involved including the auction event itself. Most auctioneers charge an entry fee to cover some of this upfront cost, then sales commission will be charged after the property has sold and exchanged contracts.
How much does a Auctioneer make in London? If we look at the Auctioneer salary statistics in United Kingdom as of June 4, 2025, the represented employee makes £46,384; to be more precise pay rate is £3,865 per month, £892 per week, or £22.92 per hour.
We can assess all types of items free of charge with no obligation to consign. There are a number of easy ways to receive a valuation – CLICK HERE to find out how to obtain an auction estimate on your lot. We will ensure your items are entered into the most suitable auction.
The standard commission charge to the Vendor is 10% for individual items that realise £500 or more. For individual items realising less than £500 commission is charged at 15%. There is a £3.00 lotting fee for each lot entered into the sale.
Auction Price: The auction price is taken as the lowest sale price offered during the session, where it is allowed to range between 20% higher and 20% lower than the closing price on the previous day (T) i.e., the day before the auction.
Many people think auctioneers sound like they're singing because the chant's rhythm has a beat much like music does. The steady rhythm allows the auctioneer's chant to move more rapidly than normal speech. Since auctioneers have a limited amount of time to sell many items, they need to speak quickly.
The answer is that they charge fees - commission - to the seller and to the buyer. All you as the buyer need to do is know what those auction fees are and then take those charges into account when you decide how much to bid. The auction fees to buyers are typically added on to the hammer price.
Getting your goods valued via an auction house is a swift, no-nonsense business. What's more, it's especially helpful if you don't know how much an item is worth. The auction house has the knowledge and expertise to give an estimate that will achieve the best final price.
Harrison recommends seeking a certified appraiser's valuation before taking the item to a local antiques or collectibles dealer. An appraiser is more likely to give a fair judgment because there's no conflict of interest; it's a violation of professional ethics to offer to buy an item he has appraised.
The cost of a house valuation in the UK can vary widely based on several factors, but generally, homeowners can expect to pay between £150 and £1,500. Below we answer the nuanced question “how much does a house valuation cost?” to help you when it comes to budgeting and financial planning.
Is there a website that tells you how much something is worth?
Try sites such as What's It Worth to You, Value My Stuff, and Worth Point. If you're searching for the tax-deductible value of items that have been donated, you can use valuation sites, tax preparation companies (such as Turbo Tax), or the Salvation Army.
If you want to sell your antiques fast, find an antique dealer who is willing to buy them. You won't get top dollar, but you'll generally get more than if you were to sell to a pawn shop. However, it can be hard to find a reputable antique dealer to buy antiques outright (and not just put them on consignment).
To cover the costs of making this magic happen—think employee salaries, marketing, rent—we charge a standard auction house commission. That commission typically falls between 20% and 35%, depending on the value of your item. But before your heart skips a beat, don't worry—we're about to make things crystal clear.
Want an instant free valuation on your antique(s), items or collection? Fill out our form and optionally upload an image of your product and we will get back to you with an instant valuation of your antique piece or collectable item. Alternatively you can send us details to our WhatsApp on 07956 268 290.
