Know what it really costs before you bid

A buyer’s premium is a percentage the auction house adds to the winning bid. If you win at $100 and the premium is 15%, the premium adds $15 before tax or shipping. Rates vary by auctioneer and sometimes by payment or pickup method, so the terms for each auction matter. LotLens reads the premium shown on the page, calls out estimated or multiple rates, and lets you correct it before relying on the total.

There is no single buyer fee across all HiBid auctions because independent auction companies set their own buyer’s premiums, pickup policies, and payment rules. A displayed bid can also be followed by sales tax, shipping, handling, or card surcharges. Check the terms for the specific auction. LotLens focuses on the predictable buying estimate: current bid, buyer’s premium, estimated sales tax, and the shipping amount you enter.

Sales tax depends on the transaction, jurisdiction, auctioneer, and any valid exemption. Many invoices calculate tax on the winning bid and may also tax the buyer’s premium. LotLens includes state-average rates as a planning estimate, allows an exact override, and lets you choose whether premium is taxed. It is a budgeting tool rather than tax advice, so use the auction terms and final invoice as the authority.

No—by design. LotLens is read-only. It does not click bid controls, store HiBid credentials, automate bidding, or change your account. It reads public lot information on pages you visit and refreshes only lots you explicitly watch. The reverse max-bid tool tells you the highest bid that fits your all-in budget, but you remain in control of every bid you place.