One lesser known auction house, Tayler & Fletcher, which operates from Bourton-on-the Water, has adopted a belt-and-braces approach to the way it displays its fee structure.
In its online and printed catalogues, every estimate for its 600-lot sale on Thursday, February 23, had buyer’s premium (18% in ‘old money’) and VAT clearly displayed as follows: £200–300 + 21.6% buyer’s premium (incl. VAT).
It is little wonder that Tayler & Fletcher has taken this cautious approach.
I believe CAP’s advice, Auction Guide Prices and non-Optional Charges, is ambiguous and no auction house can afford the risk of having to reprint a catalogue at the eleventh hour.
Henry Forcer Evans
Via email
