# Private treaty sale

> A sale negotiated directly between a buyer and a seller through the auction house, outside the public auction, at an agreed price. The house acts as intermediary and earns a commission.

- URL: https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/private-treaty-sale
- Language: English
- Also known as: Private sale
- Last updated: 2026-10-07
- Français: https://www.selloff.auction/fr/glossaire/vente-de-gre-a-gre.md

## Definition

A sale negotiated directly between a buyer and a seller through the auction house, outside the public auction, at an agreed price. The house acts as intermediary and earns a commission.

Private treaty sales suit consignors who want discretion or certainty of price, and objects that do not fit the auction calendar. They follow most of the same steps as an auction lot (description, valuation, invoicing, settlement) without the bidding.

In Selloff, lots can be sold outside an auction, for instance through fixed-price or offer sales, and consignor statements for such sales are generated from the consignors to invoice screen.

## Related features

- [Sales & auction types](https://www.selloff.auction/features/auction-types.md): Run auctions, offer sales, eBay-style timed sales and fixed-price sales, each with its own sessions, catalogues, dates, fees and bid increments.
- [Offers & after-sale](https://www.selloff.auction/features/after-sale-offers.md): Collect offers on unsold lots or in offer sales, decide lot by lot with the consignor's figures at hand, and notify bidders by email.

## Related terms

- [After-sale](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/after-sale.md): The period immediately after an auction during which unsold lots can still be bought, usually by offer at or near the reserve and subject to the consignor's agreement.
- [Seller's commission](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/sellers-commission.md): The fee the auction house deducts from the hammer price when settling with the consignor, usually a percentage agreed in the consignment contract. Lot fees, insurance or other agreed costs may be deducted as well.
- [Unsold lot (bought in)](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/unsold-lot.md): A lot that does not find a buyer at the sale, usually because bidding did not reach the reserve. The lot is passed or bought in, and may then be offered after the sale, re-offered later or returned to the consignor.