Articles
The True Cost of Auction Platforms in 2026: What Houses Are Actually Paying
A detailed comparison across Saleroom, EasyLive, LiveAuctioneers, Drouot, BidSpirit, and Invaluable. ATG's effective buyer surcharge now stands at 5.94% — some houses report total buyer costs approaching 30% above hammer price.
OperationsAddressing non-payment from online bidders
A pre-approval vetting system with a reported 100% collection rate across six consecutive sales.
CataloguingCatalogue photography: equipment matters less than you think
Why many houses have moved away from DSLRs entirely, and the £15 background setup producing professional results.
ShippingPostage and shipping: what UK houses are charging
Current pricing structures, carrier preferences by destination, and the consensus on handling fees.
StrategyWhen does a second platform become worthwhile?
The lot volumes and hammer thresholds where adding another platform makes commercial sense.
GrowthBuilding an independent buyer database
How to migrate buyers from paid platforms and build a client list you actually own.
InsuranceInsuring an auction house: finding the right cover
The challenges of insuring fluctuating stock and why a specialist broker secures better terms.
TechnologyAI-assisted cataloguing: reducing hours to minutes
Processing 100 lots in 13 minutes. AI description generation, smart cropping, and where it falls short.
OperationsLot labels and stickers: a small detail that matters
Removable labels, string tags, and the suppliers houses are using to avoid damaging consigned items.
OperationsManaging international buyers
Pre-approval strategies, shipping limitations, and navigating the challenges of French and US buyers.
SourcingSourcing stock: from house clearances to return pallets
Diversifying stock sources beyond traditional consignments, including the growing market in commercial return pallets and reselling demand in smaller towns.