Goldin Increasing Buyer's Premium

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Nope. Not how it works. Run of the mill stuff from a one-off consignor, you are not going to get a great deal. If you are a good consignor (regularly consign good material that sells for a cumulative four-or-five figures a year) or you are a good customer who spends a good amount with the house, you should bargain for zero commission--you get 100% of the hammer price, the house gets the buyer's premium. You can also get a good deal if you are an influencer or a referral from an important customer or consignor and the house considers it a good business move to take less. If you are offering a really great (expensive) item, that is when you can bargain for a guarantee (a number you will get paid regardless of the sale price) or for a piece of the BP. If I had a T206 Wagner, for example, I would insist on the greater of a guarantee or 115% of the hammer price.

Guarantees and % above the hammer price are all a matter of leverage. Your $2K item is not going to get you the leverage to ask for these things. Your $2 million card, you can probably get anything you want.

I don't begrudge the house making a living; people gotta eat. I do get ticked off when Mr. Private Jet has to jack up his cut to feed his lifestyle.

Everybody has their own way, for me I never ask to get in the pockets of the AH and never accept an AH getting in my pockets. So when I consign a $1000 card I'm not paying anything but I'm not grinding on an 8000 card either.
Works for me but YMMV.