Barrett-Jackson runs some of the best-known live collector-car auctions in the country, led by its Scottsdale sale each January. It charges both the buyer and the seller, and most of its cars sell at no reserve, so a seller needs to understand both the costs and the risk.
Barrett-Jackson publishes how its fees are structured, but not every rate. Below, we say which figures come from Barrett-Jackson itself and which are reported by others.
Key numbers
- Buyer's premium
- 10% of the hammer price for on-site bidders, according to Barrett-Jackson.
- Bidder registration
- $100 to $550 for the 2027 Scottsdale auction. Not refundable.
- Seller's costs
- An entry fee plus a commission on the hammer price. Barrett-Jackson doesn't publish the rates.
- Reserve
- No reserve is the norm. A reserve is offered on select cars only.
Barrett-Jackson fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer's premium, on site | 10% of the hammer price | Barrett-Jackson |
| Buyer's premium, absentee bidders | 12% | Classic.com |
| Bidder registration, 2027 Scottsdale | $100 absentee, $400 Select, $550 Premium | Barrett-Jackson |
| Seller's entry fee | Varies with the day and time the car is scheduled. Includes display space. | Barrett-Jackson |
| Seller's commission | A percentage of the hammer price. Listed as 8% by Classic.com. | Barrett-Jackson, Classic.com |
Checked October 2026. The 10% figure is from an article Barrett-Jackson published in August 2022, and Motorious notes that the rate for each sale is set out in that sale's bidder terms. The $400 and $550 packages are early-registration prices, which end December 7, 2026. Confirm every figure in your own bidder or consignment paperwork.
The Barrett-Jackson buyer's premium
Barrett-Jackson says an on-site buyer's premium of 10% is added to the hammer price, along with any applicable fees and taxes.
| Hammer price | Premium (10%) | Buyer pays, before taxes |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $55,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 | $110,000 |
| $250,000 | $25,000 | $275,000 |
Buyers also pay to register. For the 2027 Scottsdale auction, an absentee registration for bidding online, by phone or through a representative is $100. The in-person Select and Premium packages are $400 and $550 at early-registration prices. Barrett-Jackson says the registration fee isn't refundable.
Bidders have to show they can pay as well. Barrett-Jackson's bidder page lists a letter from a financial institution, a cashier's check or wire as collateral, or pre-approved financing. For a seller that's reassuring: the people bidding on your car have been checked.
What sellers pay at Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson says a consignor pays an entry fee and a commission based on the hammer price. The entry fee depends on the day and time your car is scheduled to cross the block, and it includes display space at the event.
It doesn't publish the amounts. Classic.com's fee table lists the seller's side as an entry fee plus 8%. At that rate, a $150,000 hammer price would mean a $12,000 commission and $138,000 to you, before the entry fee.
Ask your consignment specialist for the current entry fee for each time slot and the commission rate, in writing, before you sign. Then add your own costs: transport to the auction, detailing, and travel if you want to be there.
One exception: Motorious reports that Barrett-Jackson waives its fees on charity cars, so the whole hammer price goes to the charity.
No reserve: the part that matters most
Barrett-Jackson is built around no-reserve selling. Its consignment page invites no-reserve consignments and says reserve options are available only on select cars.
Its argument is that no reserve attracts serious bidders and typically leads to higher bids. Its answer to "what if my car doesn't sell?" is that the car will be sold to the highest bidder.
For a seller, that cuts both ways. Your car will sell, and you won't be paying to take it home. But it sells for whatever the last bid is. If you need a certain number, because of a loan or because you know what the car is worth elsewhere, ask whether a reserve is possible for your car before you commit.
Barrett-Jackson suggests checking the results section of its site to see what similar cars have sold for. Do that first. Remember that, according to Classic.com, its published results include the buyer's premium, so the hammer price was lower.
How consigning a car works
- Choose an auction and apply online. You'll need the car's details and VIN, 25 good photos, a description, and a copy of both sides of the title.
- Work with your specialist. Barrett-Jackson assigns a consignment specialist, who helps you estimate the car's auction value.
- Agree your slot. The day and time decide your entry fee.
- Get the car there. You can make your own arrangements or use one of the transport companies Barrett-Jackson works with.
- The car crosses the block. You don't have to attend if your paperwork is complete, though Barrett-Jackson encourages sellers to be there and talk to bidders.
When we checked, Barrett-Jackson was taking consignments for its Digital Select sale, November 5 to 12, 2026, and for Scottsdale, January 23 to 31, 2027.
Is Barrett-Jackson the right route for your car?
Barrett-Jackson suits cars that excite a crowd: American muscle, customs and restomods, Corvettes, Vipers, Ford GTs, and first-off-the-line or celebrity-owned cars. Modern exotics sell there as well.
The question for an exotic car owner is the reserve. With an online auction or at Mecum you can set a minimum price. At Barrett-Jackson you usually can't. If that risk doesn't suit you, compare the other routes in selling a car at auction.
Common questions
What is the buyer's premium at Barrett-Jackson?
Barrett-Jackson says an on-site buyer's premium of 10% is added to the hammer price. Classic.com lists 12% for absentee bidders. Check the bidder terms for your sale.
How much does Barrett-Jackson charge to sell a car?
An entry fee, which depends on the day and time your car is scheduled, plus a commission on the hammer price. Barrett-Jackson doesn't publish the rates. Classic.com lists the commission as 8%.
Does Barrett-Jackson allow a reserve?
On select cars only. Barrett-Jackson's consignment page says no-reserve and select reserve options are available, and most cars sell at no reserve.
How much does it cost to register to bid at Barrett-Jackson?
For the 2027 Scottsdale auction, $100 for absentee bidding, or $400 and $550 for the in-person Select and Premium packages at early-registration prices. The fee isn't refundable.
What happens if my car doesn't sell at Barrett-Jackson?
At no reserve it will sell. Barrett-Jackson says the car is sold to the highest bidder.
Sources
- Barrett-Jackson: Consignment
- Barrett-Jackson: Bidders
- Barrett-Jackson: Bidder packages, 2027 Scottsdale
- Barrett-Jackson: Pro tips, how to bid at a Barrett-Jackson auction (August 24, 2022)
- Classic.com: Auction fees and prices
- Motorious: The complete guide to auction fees and buyer's premiums (September 28, 2026)
Figures were checked against these sources in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm before relying on them.