<How Expensive Art Auctions Really Are — Art News
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How Expensive Art Auctions Really Are

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Art auction houses often promote transparency through public bidding, but the final hammer price is merely the starting point for a complex web of additional costs. Buyers frequently face buyer's premiums, value-added taxes, and resale right royalties (droit de suite) that can inflate the final invoice by up to 50 percent beyond the initial bid.

Understanding these hidden costs is essential for navigating the global art market, as the discrepancy between public results and actual expenditures affects both investment strategies and market data. For sellers, the financial landscape is equally complex, requiring savvy negotiation over seller's commissions and marketing fees to ensure a profitable return on their assets.