How Sellers Get Paid

No listing fees

You're never charged to list an item. If it doesn't sell, you owe nothing. Your only cost is a percentage of what actually sells.

One fee, disclosed upfront

Your platform fee rate is agreed on and documented before your first auction. No variable fees, no photo fees, no hidden deductions after the fact.

Buyers pay first

Buyers pay online before they collect. Your payout is released after buyer payments are confirmed — you're never waiting on cash at pickup.

The Math

How your payout is calculated

The formula is simple. Your payout is the sum of all hammer prices, minus one platform fee on those hammer prices. That's it.

Sum of Hammer prices

−

Platform fee on Hammer prices

Your Payout

What is the hammer price? The hammer price is the final winning bid amount for a lot — the price at which bidding closed. Your payout is based on hammer prices only. The buyer premium (paid by the buyer on top of the hammer price) is separate and goes to Advantage as the platform's buyer-facing fee.

Real-World Examples

What different auctions actually pay out

These examples use a 10% platform fee for illustration. Your actual rate is documented in your seller agreement.

Small auction — 5 lots

Jewelry and collectibles

Ring set (Lot 1)$185

Vintage watch (Lot 2)$310

Coin collection (Lot 3)$90

Silver earrings (Lot 4)$45

Pendant necklace (Lot 5)$70

Total hammer price$700

Platform fee (10%)− $70

Your payout$630

Mid-size auction — 12 lots

Furniture and household contents

Antique sideboard$520

Oil painting$285

Silver flatware set$195

Lots 4–12 (combined)$680

Total hammer price$1,680

Platform fee (10%)− $168

Your payout$1,512

Full estate auction — 30 lots

Mixed estate contents

Lot 1 — bureau bookcase$880

Lot 2 — original artwork$650

Lots 3–10 (combined)$1,420

Lots 11–30 (combined)$1,970

Total hammer price$4,920

Platform fee (10%)− $492

Your payout$4,428

Payout Timeline

When money moves

Here's the sequence from auction close to funds in your account.

Auction closes

The final lot closes in the staggered sequence. All winning bids are locked and recorded. No further bidding is accepted.

Winners notified and invoiced

Winning buyers receive payment notifications. Each won lot generates an invoice in the buyer's account. Buyers have a payment window to complete checkout.

Buyers complete payment

Buyers pay via Stripe using a debit or credit card. Payment is processed immediately. Full pickup address is released to the buyer after confirmed payment.

Pickup window opens

Pickup begins at least 36 hours after auction close. Buyers collect during your scheduled window. You receive a payout statement as each lot clears.

Seller proceeds released

After buyer payments are confirmed, your seller proceeds are released. The exact release timing is documented in your seller agreement. You receive a full itemized payout statement.

Payout Statement

What your payout statement looks like

After every auction, you receive a complete itemized statement — useful for your own records and for estate settlement documentation.

Payout Statement — Advantage.Bid

Auction ID: A-2025-0014 · Closed May 18, 2025

Lot	Description	Hammer Price
001	Antique oak sideboard	$520.00
002	Oil on canvas, landscape	$285.00
003	Sterling silver flatware (service for 8)	$195.00
004	Vintage mantel clock	$110.00
005	Oriental area rug (8×10)	$165.00
006	Lot of 3: ceramic vases	$55.00
007	Mahogany writing desk	$350.00

Total hammer price$1,680.00

Platform fee (10%)− $168.00

Seller payout$1,512.00

Payout Questions

Common payout questions

More seller questions are answered in the full Seller FAQ.

Does the buyer premium affect my payout?

No. The buyer premium is paid by the buyer on top of their winning bid. It goes to Advantage as the platform's buyer-facing fee. Your payout is calculated on hammer prices only — the buyer premium is entirely separate from your seller proceeds.

Am I charged for lots that don't sell?

No. If a lot receives no bids, there is no charge. The platform fee only applies to lots that actually sell. Unsold lots are returned to you without any cost.

Can I see a payout estimate before the auction closes?

You can see current bid activity in your seller dashboard during the auction. Your estimated payout at any moment would be the sum of current high bids minus the fee — though final amounts depend on where bidding ends.

What if a buyer doesn't complete payment?

Payment completion is managed by the Advantage team. Buyers are required to have a verified payment method before bidding, which significantly reduces non-payment. If a buyer fails to complete payment, Advantage handles the resolution and advises you on next steps for the affected lot.

Is my payout statement useful for estate or probate records?

Yes. The payout statement includes auction ID, lot descriptions, hammer prices, and the calculated payout — all the transaction detail needed for estate settlement, probate documentation, or executor reporting. Consignor details are also stored within the platform for recordkeeping.