Buyer's premium, taxes, and your total

Your winning bid is the hammer price. On top of that, most auctions add a buyer's premium — a percentage that goes to the auction company for running the auction. The hammer price plus the buyer's premium is the base of your total.

Depending on the auction and where you take delivery, tax may be added, along with any fees the auction's terms list. The exact rates and rules are set per auction by the auction company, so two auctions can total differently for the same hammer price.

The buyer's premium rate, tax, and any fees are on the auction's terms page, and your posted invoice shows the actual amounts for the lots you won. If a charge isn't clear, ask the auction company that posted the invoice.