Buy At Auction

There are many ways to buy artwork with SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS:

ONLINE BIDDING

We offer Online Bidding Live with our online platform partners Invaluable.com and LiveAuctioneers.com . The Buyer’s Premium for online bidding is 31%, please refer to the platform for their full terms & conditions.

LIVE BIDDING
IN-PERSON

We are one of the few auction houses that still offers bidding live in-person at our auction house. Register through our Docusign at least 24-hours prior to the Live Auction. In-person bidders take advantage of a low Buyer’s Premium of 27%.

PHONE & ABSENTEE BIDDING

Can’t make it to our live auction but want to bid directly through our auction house? Our associates can call you during our Live Auction and bid on your behalf, or you can leave absentee bids with us as a proxy bid on your designated lots.

Terms & Conditions

We update our terms & conditions for each auction. Please read our full policies for bidding at auction. If you enter auction with SMA as a buyer or seller you will be subject to these terms. For any questions please contact us.

Catalog

A digital, continually-updated catalogue (allowing SMA to accept spectacular, last-minute additions) will be available online approximately one month prior to the sale.  Live bidders will receive a printed catalogue to reference during the sale. Estimates are established as a guide for bidders.  A bid within the high and low estimate range should, in our opinion, offer a chance of success.  However, many lots achieve prices below or above the pre-sale estimates.

Payment

Congratulations on your winning bid!  If you attended the auction in-person or via phone/absentee bidding you will receive the invoice directly from SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS via email in 24-48 hours to which you can pay via cash, check, bank wire, or bank transfer (Zelle).  If your winning bid was placed online, you will receive the invoice from the online platform in 24-48 hours (LiveAuctioneers & Invaluable).

  • Payment is due within five business days after the invoice is issued.  SMA accepts payment via cash, cashier's check, or wire/bank/Zelle transfer. No artwork will leave the premises until all funds are cleared in full.

  • Buyer's Premium: SMA charges a buyer’s premium of 27% on the hammer price of each lot sold. Bids made online via LiveAuctioneers/Invaluable are subject to a 31% buyer's premium. 

  • Sales Tax: Unless the buyer has delivered a valid seller certificate evidencing exemption from tax, each lot is subject to applicable Santa Monica, California sales tax (10.75%).

Condition Reports

SMA will provide condition reports for any lot upon request via email. All lots are sold AS-IS. While condition reports are prepared as thoroughly as possible, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators.  We recommend all prospective buyers either personally inspect each lot or retain a professional adviser to report on the condition on your behalf.

Shipping & Transportation

SMA will wrap purchased lots for hand-carry/pick-up only. To ensure proper handling, SMA will only release artwork with client authorization.  Please contact SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS to confirm your shipping arrangements. Shipping and pick-up arrangements are to be coordinated and paid for by the buyer.  Here is our PDF list of Recommended Shippers & Art Handlers.