Payment & buyer’s premium
Your total is your winning bid, plus a 20% buyer’s premium, plus 7.75% California sales tax on the bid and premium together. On a $100 win, that comes to $129.30.
How your total is calculated
The buyer’s premium is a standard auction fee: 20% is added to your winning bid on every lot. 7.75% California sales tax then applies to the bid plus premium. Here’s the math on a $100 win — the same steps apply at any price.
| Sample invoice | Amount |
|---|---|
| Winning bid | $100.00 |
| Buyer’s premium (20%) | $20.00 |
| Subtotal | $120.00 |
| California sales tax (7.75% of $120.00) | $9.30 |
| Total due | $129.30 |
How and when you’re charged
Registering is free, and we keep a card on file — you’re only charged if you win. When the auction ends, the card on file is charged automatically for your invoice, and we email you an itemized copy showing each lot, the premium, and the tax.
Keep the card on your account current so your invoice goes through the first time. If anything on an invoice looks off, contact us before pickup and we’ll sort it out.
Payment methods
We take card payments through our secure online checkout, processed by Stripe. You can update the card on your account at any time before an auction closes.
Buying tax-free with a resale certificate
If you’re a reseller, we can set your account up tax-exempt. Your California resale certificate must be on file with us before you bid tax-free — send it to hello@placerauctions.com ahead of the auction.
Everything sells as-is, where-is — current condition, no returns, and you collect it — so know your all-in number before you bid: bid + 20% + tax.
More buyer help
How to bid
Pickup & shipping
FAQQuestions about an invoice? Call (916) 313-3617 and a real person will help.