Posted By:
HWI can see the concern about the shipping costs - they probaby do not only take into consideration actual postage and insurance costs, but also handling and packing supplies also. I have won auction from most of the major auction houses and they vary very widely as to what they charge and how well they pack the items. Sotheby's is by far the most expensive that I have enountered.
There is no reason to complain about the New Jersey sales tax. It is the law. What do you expect him to do?
Also, the 16% buyer's premium is clearly stated in his catalog. Just take it into consideration before you bid. Others are higher. I think that Leland's is 17.5%, Heritage 19.5%, Sotheby's 20%, etc. REA surely increased their buyer's premium by 1% because they thought that the collectors would not alter their bidding patters over a "measly" 1% increase. Meanwhile it put another $70,000 or so into his pocket. This is obvioulsly just a business decision to help with net profit.