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Buyer's premium, GST/QST and inspection: the real cost of buying at auction
The hammer price is almost never the final price. Here's what can be added, and how to estimate it before you raise your hand.
Dates, locations and terms change often. Always confirm directly with the auction house or agency before you travel or bid. Montréal Auctions is not affiliated with any organization listed here and sells nothing.
What gets added to the hammer price
| Item | Verified examples |
|---|---|
| Buyer’s premium or fee | CAG: 10% · IEGOR: 25% (terms for a November 2026 sale) · GCSurplus: none · Ritchie Bros.: transaction fee (see their site) |
| Taxes | GST 5% and QST 9.975% on taxable goods |
| Deposit | CAG: $1,000, refundable, at registration |
| Late-pickup storage | Valade and CBL: daily fees if the vehicle isn’t collected the same day |
| Transport, towing, repairs | Estimate these yourself |
Sources: CAG buyer’s guide, IEGOR terms, GCSurplus help, Ritchie Bros., Revenu Québec rates, Valade, CBL.
Sample calculation (hypothetical)
Say a lot sells for $1,000 with a 10% premium, and assume taxes apply to the total (always check the terms of sale):
- Hammer price: $1,000.00
- 10% premium: $100.00
- Subtotal: $1,100.00
- GST (5%): $55.00
- QST (9.975%): $109.73
- Total: $1,264.73, about 26% more than the hammer price.
With a 25% premium, the same lot would cost $1,437.19. Set your maximum bid from the total, not the hammer price.
Inspection: your only real protection
Most auctions sell as is, with no warranty. At the CAG, the Consumer Protection Act does not apply and there is no recourse after the award (buyer’s guide). So:
- Go to the inspection days. The CAG suggests printing the lot sheets so you can take notes.
- For a vehicle: check the SAAQ history and the RDPRM, and plan for a mechanical inspection if it was off the road for a year or more (see the seized vehicle guide).
- For art and jewellery: terms often say descriptions are approximate; ask for a condition report or get an appraisal.
- Read the full terms of sale: payment deadline, accepted payment methods, time allowed to collect your lots.
- Don’t bid assuming you can back out: at the CAG, a bid can’t be withdrawn.
Frequently asked questions
What is a buyer's premium?
A fee, calculated as a percentage of the hammer price, paid by the buyer. Rates vary: 10% at the CAG, 25% in the terms IEGOR published for a November 2026 sale, none on GCSurplus.
What are the GST and QST rates?
GST: 5%. QST: 9.975%, calculated on the price excluding GST (Revenu Québec, in French).
Can I cancel if the item isn't as described?
Usually not. Most terms of sale state that goods are sold as is. At the CAG, for example, there is no recourse after the award. That’s why inspecting before you bid matters.
Information checked on 2026-10-27.