Auction Cost Calculator

Thinking about auctioning your classic car? Use our calculator to see exactly what you’ll pay at Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, or Bring a Trailer versus GuysWithRides.

Watch GuysWithRides’ Co-Founder Rudy Samsel’s video (at right or below) to learn about the fees beyond just the seller and buyer commissions you need to consider for each venue.

Fill out the form below and press calculate to see the cost summary based on your inputs:

Once you see the true cost of our competitors, you can either click Submit My Ride For Auction or Call Us Today to get your classic car auctioned sooner for less time and money!

In addition to dealing directly with the owners, either via email or by phone, GuysWithRides invests $500 upfront in your vehicle for professional photography, videography, and a pre-purchase inspection (“PPI”). More importantly, we handle all of the posting and answering questions for you.  All you have to do is make your vehicle available for our photographer and inspector, and we handle the rest!

Data Sources for Our Calculator:

• The 2026 Mecum Kissimee Auction Position Request Form, which we downloaded in January 2026 directly from that company’s website.
• The Bring a Trailer Submit A Vehicle Page as of January 2026.

How Do Traditional & Online Auctions Compare?

Traditional In-Person Classic Car Auctions

Mecum Auctions and Barrett-Jackson dominate the traditional auction scene with their high-energy tent events that attract thousands of bidders. These live collector car auctions offer maximum exposure but come with high costs that many sellers overlook when calculating their net proceeds.

Traditional Auction Costs:
– Seller’s Commission: 8-10% of the hammer price (Mecum charges 10% on vehicles selling under $100,000)
– Buyer’s Premium: 10% added to the final bid (paid by buyer but affects bidding behavior)
– Entry Fees: $200-$600 depending on vehicle type and auction location
– Transportation: $500-$2,500+ to ship your vehicle to and from auction sites
– Insurance: Required coverage during transport and while at auction
– Reserve Fees: Additional charges if your vehicle doesn’t meet the reserve
– Time Commitment: Multiple days away from home to attend the auction

Example: A classic car selling for $50,000 at Mecum Kissimmee would cost the seller approximately $5,000 in commission, plus entry fees, transport costs, and travel expenses – often totaling $7,000-$9,000 in all-in costs.

Traditional auctions work well for rare, high-dollar vehicles that benefit from the competitive bidding atmosphere, but the costs can be prohibitive for vehicles in the $20,000-$100,000 range, where most collector car transactions occur.

Online Classic Car Auctions

The rise of online collector car auctions has transformed the market by eliminating travel costs and reducing fees. Platforms like Bring a Trailer (“BaT”), Hemmings Auctions, and Cars & Bids have built strong reputations, but they still require significant seller effort.

Online Auction Costs:
– Seller’s Commission: 0-5% (most charge no seller fee)
– Buyer’s Premium: 5% (standard across most platforms)
– Listing Fees: $0-$99 (BaT charges $99 for reserve auctions)
– Photography: $0-$800+ (seller’s responsibility – professional photos strongly recommended)
– Inspection Reports: $200-$500+ (often required for competitive listings)
– Time Investment: 10-20+ hours to photograph, measure, document, write descriptions, and answer dozens of bidder questions

The Hidden Cost: While online auctions eliminate seller commissions, they transfer all the work to you. Creating a competitive **Bring a Trailer listing** requires 100-200 high-quality photos, detailed measurements, maintenance records, undercarriage shots, and comprehensive mechanical documentation. Sellers often spend weeks preparing their listings, then must remain available to answer questions throughout the 7-day auction period.

Rejection Risk: Platforms like Bring a Trailer reject over 50% of submissions to maintain their brand reputation. If your vehicle doesn’t meet their criteria, you’ve wasted time gathering documentation with no path to sale.

The GuysWithRides 3P Difference

Our 3P Proven Partnership Plan combines the best aspects of both traditional and online auctions while eliminating the worst parts:

What You Pay:
– Listing Fee: $1 (yes, one dollar)
– Success Fee: 4% total (2% sellers fee, 2% buyer’s premium) – only if your vehicle sells
– Your Time: 2-3 hours to meet our photographer and inspector

What GuysWithRides Provides:
– $500 Investment: Professional photography, videography, and pre-purchase inspection
– White Glove Service: We create and manage your entire listing
– Expert Guidance: Direct access to owners Rudy and team via phone or email
– Selective Curation: We review vehicles carefully to ensure auction readiness
– Full Support: We handle all bidder questions and auction management

Real Cost Comparison (on a $50,000 sale):

*Includes professional photography, inspection, and listing preparation if hired out

Why Sellers Choose GuysWithRides

Unlike traditional auctions that nickel-and-dime you with fees, or online platforms that make you do all the work, our **3P auction model** treats your classic car sale as a true partnership. We invest in your vehicle upfront because we’re selective about what we feature – and we only succeed when you do.

Best for: Classic and collector vehicles valued between $20,000-$100,000 that deserve professional presentation but don’t need the overhead of a major traditional auction house.

Not right for: Ultra-rare seven-figure cars that benefit from Mecum or Barrett-Jackson’s international exposure, or project cars under $20,000.