Fair at every tier.
Commission scales down as value scales up. No listing fee. Nothing is owed until a sale completes.
| Tier | Commission | Worked Example |
|---|---|---|
Entry Under A$2,000 | 12% Minimum commission A$150 | A A$1,200 work → A$150 commission, seller receives A$1,050 vs ~30–40% typical at auction |
Standard A$2,000 – A$10,000 | 10% | A A$6,000 work → A$600 commission, seller receives A$5,400 vs ~30–40% typical at auction |
Collector A$10,000 – A$30,000 | 8% | A A$18,500 work → A$1,480 commission, seller receives A$17,020 vs ~25–35% typical at auction |
Premium A$30,000 – A$100,000 | 6% | A A$65,000 work → A$3,900 commission, seller receives A$61,100 vs ~20–30% typical at auction |
Major Works A$100,000+ | 4% | A A$250,000 work → A$10,000 commission, seller receives A$240,000 vs ~15–25% typical at auction |
Commission is calculated on the final agreed sale price, not the original asking price, and is only charged once a transaction completes. Seller pays the commission; it's deducted automatically from the settlement via Stripe Connect.
How payment works
The Back Room uses Stripe Connect to handle settlement. Buyers pay through the platform, sellers receive funds directly to their bank account, and our commission is deducted automatically — no invoices to chase, no manual transfers.
Why not bank transfer?
Direct bank transfers are how the cut-out problem happens. Routing payment through the platform means both parties have a transaction record, buyer protection, and a paper trail if anything goes wrong — while still settling in 2–3 business days.
Deal Agreed
Buyer and seller agree terms through platform messaging. Either party marks the deal as agreed, triggering a payment request.
Buyer Pays
Buyer pays the full agreed price via card through Stripe's secure checkout — held by Stripe until handoff is confirmed.
Funds Released
Once handoff is confirmed by both parties, Stripe Connect splits the payment automatically — commission to us, the rest direct to the seller's account.
Example — A$18,500 sale (Collector tier, 8%)
Funds typically settle to the seller's account within 2–3 business days of handoff confirmation. Stripe's standard processing fees (≈1.75% + 30¢ for domestic cards) are absorbed by The Back Room, not added on top of the seller's commission.
Setting up to sell
Before your first work can settle, you'll connect a Stripe account — a one-time setup that takes about five minutes.
🪪
Verify Identity
Standard KYC check required by Stripe for all payment platforms.
🏦
Add Bank Details
Where your settlement funds land after a sale completes.
📋
Confirm Tax Info
ABN or equivalent, for our records and yours.
✓
Start Selling
List works for sale immediately — no waiting period.
Stripe is used by Shopify, Amazon, and most major marketplaces worldwide. The Back Room never sees or stores your bank details — Stripe handles this directly and securely.