May I as a member of the public add a comment?
It is obvious that an auction house wishing to increase margins will do so by increasing charges to buyers – a vendor may choose an auctioneer, a buyer cannot.
Indeed, an auction house hoping to attract more entries can do so by transferring costs from seller to buyer.
But surely dealers think in terms of total costs whatever the components – ultimately it is the seller that stands the cost.
The ATG prints a guide for buyers at auction. Perhaps it should add one for potential sellers wishing to choose an auction house, including a look at buyer’s charges, such as commission, carriage, condition reports and so on.
G Grant
London
