Register for our Fall Auction: October 18th, 2026
There are many ways to buy artwork with SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS:
LIVE BIDDING
IN-PERSON
We are one of the few auction houses that still offers bidding live in-person at our auction house in Santa Monica. Register using Docusign at least 24-hours prior to the Live Auction. In-person bidders take advantage of a low Buyer’s Premium of 27%.
PHONE or ABSENTEE BIDDING
Can’t make it to our live auction? Our associates can bid by phone on your behalf, or you can leave absentee bids with us for your designated lots.
STEP 1: REGISTRATION
STEP 2: COMPLETE FORMS
or
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 32%, please refer to the platform for their full terms & conditions.
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).
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 32% 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%).
Payment is due within (5) 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. Payments are considered late after (5) business days and will incur fees (see Terms & Conditions for more information regarding late payment fees).
Condition Reports
SMA will provide condition reports for any lot upon request via info@smauctions.com. All lots are sold AS-IS. While condition reports are prepared as thoroughly as possible, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot, or the absence of any noted condition issue, should not be interpreted as an indication that the lot is in pristine, perfect, or otherwise defect-free condition. Unless expressly noted, works are not examined outside of their frames, mounts, or other enclosures, and condition reports are based solely on what is visible upon inspection. We recommend that all prospective buyers personally inspect each lot or retain a professional adviser to inspect and report on the condition on their 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.