Sothebys is a global art business based in the United States. Its operations are organized under two segments: agency and finance. The agency business provides an auction space or private sale arrangements for sellers and buyers of fine art, decorative art, wine, jewelry and collectibles. The finance segment provides financing activities for collectors and art dealers. Sotheby's auction commissions include those paid by both buyer and seller, both of which are calculated as a percentage of the price of the property sold at auction. Sotheby's private sale commissions are part of a legally binding agreement between Sotheby's and the seller.