[Runscott]

Just to chime in with more data...

I have never paid a consignment fee, and as Leon mentioned, for large consignments I have always gotten a small % kick-back of the buyer's premium. But of course you have to ask for these things if they are not offered. If the AH says "No" I would pick another one - there is always someone who wants to make money off your stuff. I have also gotten a guaranteed minimum sell price on a consignment (not a reserve) - the item did not hit the minimum and the AH paid me anyway, as agreed, at a loss to them; of course, overall they still did quite well off me.