MADAM – I write regarding your front page story about provincial auctioneers and the rising cost of payment by credit card (ATG No 2343). I feel so sorry for these hard-up companies as they now only average 40-50% commission from each lot sold!
I just do not know how they make ends meet, having to suffer working in new salerooms and getting bids from around the world thanks to the internet. My heart goes out to them!
FYI when I started dealing, the average charge was 10% to the vendor and nil to the purchaser.