Misleading auction information, what are my options?

[supersonic7]

I have had 2 bad experiences with bidspotter auctions, so I dont use them anymore. Once I had the winning bid, the system showed it as winning, but somehow they would not recognize it later. The other time it was likely the local auction co who did not enable bidders (including me) who tried to register for their auction. In both cases, response from bidspotter was poor, in my opinion. So they are on my Do Not Bid list.

 

[Rob F.]

I dont trust auctioneers to do anything other than help themselves but is it possible that they just had a typo in the listing? Does not get them of the hook but but maybe if you approach them with it being an honest mistake they might be more willing to help?

 

[richard newman]

I had a similar sort of experience with Stronghold Auctions on Bidspotter. They had an electric pallet jack I wanted, listing said it was in Buffalo, I'm in Rochester, easy pickup. But looking closer it says shipping only, no pickup. I call to inspect it, they tell me it's been moved to their warehouse across the border in Hamilton, ONT will ship from there, $500. WTF? Looking at the auction, maybe half the stuff is "in Buffalo" the rest in Canada. Gotta wonder if any of it was ever in Buffalo, and why they do this?

All that being said, I drove up to Hamilton to pick it up, they were very pleasant and loaded it in my van for no charge, and crossing the border with it was a piece of cake.

 

[Chips Everywhere]

Did you call them?

First thing this morning, response was "please email us to resolve this issue"

 

[Chips Everywhere]

Not putting much more thought into this, will send another email and give a few days, if no reply then I'll send it to the lawyer so a letter can be sent. Thank you everyone for the input

 

[Gearclash]

Please keep us posted. I would be really pissed if this happened to me as often I will bid or not bid on things based on location. I am perfectly willing to call the auctioneer with questions about an item I would bid on, but generally I wouldn’t think to ask if it is really located where the listing says it is.

 

[scsmith42]

I would suggest sending them a certified letter, return receipt, pointing out there mistake and their lack of support in correcting it via e-mail or phone call.

Do this before you spend the $ on an attorney. Usually a certified letter is received by someone high enough in the management chain to get the problem resolved.

Clearly you are in the right based upon the facts that you've presented.

 

[SteveF]

....................................

So here I am. They realized that they made a mistake and now are not answering my emails. I can call, but want this conversation in writing.

Don't know where you are but in most states it is legal to record a conversation in which you are a participant WITHOUT informing the other party. I've done it many times in situations like this.

Telephone call recording laws - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Steve

 

[cyanidekid]

Don't know where you are but in most states it is legal to record a conversation in which you are a participant WITHOUT informing the other party. I've done it many times in situations like this.

Steve

known an "one party consent" states.

 

[tomjelly]

what is the item, where is it, and who was the auctioneer?

 

[surplusjohn]

I was going to say the same. Call the boss.

 

[Rob F.]

Since surplusjohn dug up an old thread maybe we can get an update from chips what ended up happening with this.

 

[Rob F.]

Not putting much more thought into this, will send another email and give a few days, if no reply then I'll send it to the lawyer so a letter can be sent. Thank you everyone for the input

What ended up happening?

 

[Bill D]

Most states have an auction commissioner. Might want to do some googling and make a call. The company might give in pretty quick if they start getting resistance.

Contact both states. I assume one will be more willing to help. I would also contact the states sales tax commission. I wonder if this was done on purpose to avoid paying state sales taxes this way?
The IRS has reward program if you turn in a tax cheat you get some percent of the recovered tax moneys. No idea if states do this as well.
Bill D

 

[Chips Everywhere]

Still on going.

Lesson of the day is pay with CC, back charge if something is off, then if remedied, pay. These people tend to be more cooperative when they want to be paid.