Consignment Agreement Generator
Build a consignment contract for cards you are sending to an auction house, dealer, or local shop. Covers commission split, reserve prices, timelines, insurance, unsold-lot returns, and dispute jurisdiction. Print, sign, keep on file.
1. Consignee Type
Picking a type pre-fills typical commission, premium, and settlement terms. Edit them after.
2. Consignor (Card Owner)
3. Consignee (Auction House / Dealer)
4. Consigned Cards
5. Commission & Settlement
6. Timeline
7. Insurance
8. Unsold Lots
9. Jurisdiction & Notes
Fill in consignor name, consignee name, and at least one card description to enable the document.
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Draft auto-savedCONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT — SPORTS TRADING CARDS
Agreement Date: 2026-04-17
PARTIES
CONSIGNOR (Card Owner)
[name]
[street address]
[city, state, zip]
CONSIGNEE (Auction House / Dealer)
[name]
[street address]
[city, state, zip]
Consignee Type: Major National Auction House (Heritage / Goldin / PWCC / REA / Lelands)
1. CONSIGNED PROPERTY
The Consignor delivers to the Consignee the following trading cards (collectively, the "Cards") for sale on the terms set forth below:
Lot 1: [card description]
Reserve: No reserve | Estimate: TBD
2. GRANT OF AUTHORITY
The Consignor grants the Consignee the exclusive right to offer the Cards for sale, on the Consignor's behalf, during the Sale Window defined in Section 4. Title to the Cards remains with the Consignor until a completed sale is recorded and settled.
3. COMMISSION AND PROCEEDS
The Consignee shall retain a seller's commission of 17.5% of the hammer or sale price on each Card sold. A buyer's premium of 22% shall be added to each winning bid and paid by the Buyer; this premium is retained in full by the Consignee and does not affect the Consignor's net proceeds.
Net proceeds to Consignor on a given Card = (Hammer Price) × (1 − 17.5%), less any Card-specific fees disclosed in Section 10.
4. SALE WINDOW
Cards received by Consignee: 2026-04-17
Listing start date: [to be scheduled]
Auction / sale date: [to be scheduled]
Settlement window: 45 days after close of sale
5. RESERVE PRICES
Reserve prices for each Card are set forth in the Consigned Property list in Section 1. A Card shall not be sold for less than its stated Reserve. Cards listed with "No reserve" may be sold at the highest bid regardless of amount. The Consignee shall not bid against reserves, place shill bids, or solicit shill bids on the Consignor's lots.
6. PAYMENT TO CONSIGNOR
Within 45 days following the close of the Sale Window, the Consignee shall remit to the Consignor the net proceeds of all sold Cards via ACH. Settlement statement shall itemize hammer price, commission, fees, and net proceeds for each Card.
7. INSURANCE AND CUSTODY
The Consignee shall maintain commercial insurance covering the Cards against loss, theft, and damage from the date of receipt through the date of payout. In the event of loss, theft, or damage, the Consignee shall compensate the Consignor at the higher of (a) the card's reserve price or (b) the low estimate.
The Consignee shall store the Cards in a secure, climate-controlled facility and handle them in accordance with industry-standard preservation practices. The Consignee shall not alter, re-grade, crack-out, or submit for regrading any Card without the express written consent of the Consignor.
8. UNSOLD LOTS
Unsold Cards shall be returned to the Consignor within 30 days of the close of auction or sale window, with shipping and insurance paid by the Consignee. Consignee is responsible for return shipping and insurance.
9. WITHDRAWAL AND CANCELLATION
The Consignor may withdraw any or all Cards without penalty within 72 hours of the Consignee's receipt (the "Inspection Window"). After the Inspection Window closes but before bids are opened, the Consignor may withdraw Cards subject to a withdrawal fee of 5% of the low estimate. Once bids have been opened, Cards may not be withdrawn.
10. FEES AND EXPENSES
All fees not explicitly allocated above (photography, authentication, catalog, marketing, grading if requested by Consignor) shall be disclosed to the Consignor in writing before being incurred. No undisclosed fees may be deducted from Consignor's proceeds.
11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Consignor represents and warrants that: (a) the Consignor is the sole and lawful owner of the Cards, (b) the Cards are free of liens, encumbrances, or third-party claims, (c) the Cards are authentic and accurately described to the best of the Consignor's knowledge, and (d) the Consignor has the legal right to consign the Cards for sale.
12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND JURISDICTION
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [state]. Any dispute arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by binding arbitration in [state], administered in accordance with commercial arbitration rules, before either party may seek judicial relief.
13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This document, including the Consigned Property list in Section 1, constitutes the complete agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior verbal or written understanding. Modifications require a written amendment signed by both parties.
SIGNATURES
CONSIGNOR: _______________________________ Date: ____________
[printed name]
CONSIGNEE: _______________________________ Date: ____________
[printed name / authorized signatory]
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Generated via CardVault · cardvault-two.vercel.app/vault/consignment-agreement
This document is a general template. Not legal advice. For consignments over $25,000 or cross-border sales, consult a licensed attorney.When to use a consignment agreement
- Regional / online auction houses that don't auto-send a 10-page contract (MySlabs, Probstein, Alt, smaller houses)
- Local card shop consignments where the LCS owner says "don't worry about it, I'll take 30%"
- Private dealer consignments — Instagram, Discord, Whatnot show hosts, Facebook group dealers
- eBay consignment brokers who handle photography, listing, shipping on your behalf
- Comparing against a major house's contract — use this template to identify red-flag clauses in theirs
Commission benchmarks (2026)
| Consignee Type | Seller Commission | Buyer Premium | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage / Goldin / PWCC | 15-20% | 20-25% | 30-45 days |
| REA / Lelands / Memory Lane | 15-20% | 20-23% | 30-45 days |
| MySlabs / Probstein / Alt | 10-15% | 15-20% | 14-30 days |
| Local Card Shop | 25-35% | — | 7-14 days |
| eBay Consignment Broker | 10-15% + eBay fees | — | 14 days |
| Private Dealer | 15-25% | Negotiable | Negotiable |
Frequently asked
Why do I need a consignment agreement?
Because verbal consignments fail. The three most common disputes: (1) commission rate was understood differently than agreed, (2) reserve price was bypassed, (3) unsold cards were returned with new damage or not returned at all. A written agreement anchors the terms and gives both parties a document to reference. Major auction houses (Heritage, Goldin, PWCC, Lelands, REA) all require their own consignment contract — this template is for the ~60% of consignments that happen at regional houses, LCS dealers, Instagram/Discord private dealers, and eBay consignment brokers where no formal contract exists.
What commission rate should I accept?
Market rates as of 2026: major national auction houses 15-20% seller commission + 20-25% buyer premium (seller pays nothing extra — premium comes off hammer). Regional houses (MySlabs, Probstein, Alt) 10-15% seller. Local card shops 25-35% seller with faster turnaround. eBay consignment brokers 10-15% plus eBay fees. Private dealer consignments 15-25%. Higher commission is acceptable if the house has reach your cards need — Heritage for vintage, PWCC for premium modern. Lower commission at regional houses trades exposure for margin.
What is a reserve price and should I set one?
A reserve is the minimum hammer price below which the lot does not sell. Set a reserve on any lot where you would rather keep the card than accept a bad price. Major auction houses often charge a reserve fee (5% of reserve, capped) whether the lot sells or not, to discourage unrealistic reserves. Rule of thumb: reserve at 70-80% of comparable recent sales. Setting reserve at expected-value loses you to snipers. Setting reserve at 50% of comp means you will sell too cheap in a weak room.
Who is responsible for the cards while the consignee has them?
The consignee. Any reputable auction house or dealer carries commercial insurance covering cards in their custody, typically from arrival through sale + 30-day payout window. For cards over $5,000, explicitly name the insurance carrier and coverage limit in the agreement. For cards over $25,000, require a certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured before shipping. Never consign a grail card to a dealer without documented insurance — commercial insurance rates have risen sharply since 2024 and some smaller operations carry minimal coverage.
What happens to unsold lots?
Three outcomes depending on contract: (1) returned to consignor at consignee cost — most common with auction houses, (2) re-listed at reduced reserve after consignor approves — MySlabs/Probstein pattern, (3) returned at consignor cost with a return-shipping fee — common at LCS consignments. Your agreement should specify WHICH outcome and WHO pays return shipping + insurance. Default to option 1 if negotiable. Watch for clauses that keep unsold cards on deposit beyond 90 days without written re-consignment.
How long does settlement typically take?
Major auction houses: 30-45 days after close. PWCC: up to 45 days. Heritage: 30 days. Goldin: 30 days. Regional houses: 15-30 days. LCS consignments: 7-14 days after card sells. eBay consignment brokers: varies by broker, typically 14 days after buyer payment clears. Payout method matters — check, ACH, or wire. Wire fees are passed to consignor at most houses ($25-50). Specify payout method and fee responsibility in the agreement.
Can I cancel the consignment before the auction?
Depends on contract stage. Before listing: usually yes, with no fee beyond return shipping. After listing but before bids open: typically a withdrawal fee (5-10% of estimate) to compensate for catalog/marketing work. After bids have opened: almost never. Most major houses prohibit withdrawal once a bid has been placed. This is what the "Withdrawal" clause in your agreement controls — a best practice is to negotiate a 72-hour post-receipt inspection window during which you can withdraw at no cost.
Is this document legally binding?
A properly-executed consignment agreement with signatures from both parties and consideration (the cards + commission terms) creates an enforceable contract in most US states. This template provides a reasonable baseline but is not a substitute for state-specific legal review on high-value (>$25,000) consignments. Major auction houses have their own 10-20 page contracts drafted by counsel — use this template when the other party does not have a formal contract, or to compare their terms against a common baseline before you sign.