MADAM – a simple question to auctioneers in general: are you in danger of slowly killing the goose that lays the golden eggs?
Recent statements and notifications from some of them are breathtaking and dealers who buy from them must wonder what else is in store by way of extra charges.
On top of ever-increasing buyer’s premium, in last week’s issue (ATG No 2377) one auctioneer stated his reasons for further charges of 5% (plus VAT) for leaving a commission bid or executing a phone bid during a live auction. On top of this another auctioneer is charging £10 for condition reports on lots reserved under £100 plus vastly increased storage penalties for lots not collected within a day or two of a finished auction.