Should auction houses honor all items that accompany their own LOA?

[SyrNy1960]

Should auction houses honor all items that accompany their own LOA?

First let me say, a Letter of Authenticity from an Auction shouldn’t mean squat! Big conflict of interest.

Here is my situation:

Auction House A - I purchased an item, which came with Auction House A’s Letter of Authenticity (I didn’t purchase it directly from the auction house). Once I received the item, I did some research. Long story short, I was able to prove the item wasn’t used by the player (confirmed by the player himself through Steiner). In addition, someone’s handwritten name was found on the item (somewhat difficult to find and see, but is there). I contacted the auction house. After providing solid proof, they refused to deal with me because I didn’t purchase the item from them. So I then asked them if the winner of the auction contacted them, would they honor a refund. They said no, because the auction was from an old auction (can’t recall how many years) and they said they still stood by their LOA (even though I provided them solid proof from the player). After numerous and frustrating emails back and forth, they actually got someone nasty and then eventually ignored me.

Auction House B – Almost the same scenario, except I was able to provide proof to Auction House B that the player never wore the number on the uniform they sold. Auction house B wouldn’t work with me since I didn’t purchase the item through their auction. However, after contacting the winner of the auction (who sold the item to me), and conversations between them and Auction House B, Auction House B ended up refunding the $1,500 to the winner of the auction. The auction ended 10 years ago, and the refund happened last year.

If an auction house puts their LOA on an item and sells it, they should be held 100% responsible and accountable for it, no matter how many years have passed if proven fake or not authentic!

[ZachS]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

If an auction house puts their LOA on an item and sells it, they should be held 100% responsible and accountable for it, no matter how many years have passed if proven fake or not authentic!

I would agree.

[glynparson]

They should always be willing to refund purchase price if found fake. To either the buyer or his inheritor should that be the case. I do not feel that either should have had to refund you the purchase price you made. But they should always stand behind what they sold it for and to whom they sold it.

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by glynparson

They should always be willing to refund purchase price if found fake. To either the buyer or his inheritor should that be the case. I do not feel that either should have had to refund you the purchase price you made. But they should always stand behind what they sold it for and to whom they sold it.

Agree! The second scenario, the seller received his $1,500 back and I returned the jersey and he refunded my money. At first, when I contacted the seller and told him what I found (and we know each other, as we collected the same player), even he felt it wasn't his problem since the jersey came with an Auction House LOA and that's how he bought and sold it. Wasn't until I got the Auction House to refund the money, he changed his tune a bit.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by glynparson

They should always be willing to refund purchase price if found fake. To either the buyer or his inheritor should that be the case. I do not feel that either should have had to refund you the purchase price you made. But they should always stand behind what they sold it for and to whom they sold it.

I agree

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Should auction houses honor all items that accompany their own LOA?

First let me say, a Letter of Authenticity from an Auction shouldn’t mean squat! Big conflict of interest.

Here is my situation:

Auction House A - I purchased an item, which came with Auction House A’s Letter of Authenticity (I didn’t purchase it directly from the auction house). Once I received the item, I did some research. Long story short, I was able to prove the item wasn’t used by the player (confirmed by the player himself through Steiner). In addition, someone’s handwritten name was found on the item (somewhat difficult to find and see, but is there). I contacted the auction house. After providing solid proof, they refused to deal with me because I didn’t purchase the item from them. So I then asked them if the winner of the auction contacted them, would they honor a refund. They said no, because the auction was from an old auction (can’t recall how many years) and they said they still stood by their LOA (even though I provided them solid proof from the player). After numerous and frustrating emails back and forth, they actually got someone nasty and then eventually ignored me.

Auction House B – Almost the same scenario, except I was able to provide proof to Auction House B that the player never wore the number on the uniform they sold. Auction house B wouldn’t work with me since I didn’t purchase the item through their auction. However, after contacting the winner of the auction (who sold the item to me), and conversations between them and Auction House B, Auction House B ended up refunding the $1,500 to the winner of the auction. The auction ended 10 years ago, and the refund happened last year.

If an auction house puts their LOA on an item and sells it, they should be held 100% responsible and accountable for it, no matter how many years have passed if proven fake or not authentic!

I think theres probably a statute of limitations...murder i know there is no statute of limitations i dont think a fake Wade Boggs signature for example gets the same treatment but there should be a decent period of time..

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I think theres probably a statute of limitations...murder i know there is no statute of limitations i dont think a fake Wade Boggs signature for example gets the same treatment but there should be a decent period of time..

I think the time period should end is when the auction house is no longer in business. They put their stamp on the item (LOA), so if proven bad, they should honor it. Thanks!

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

I think the time period should end is when the auction house is no longer in business. They put their stamp on the item (LOA), so if proven bad, they should honor it. Thanks!

I agree

[botn]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I think theres probably a statute of limitations...murder i know there is no statute of limitations i dont think a fake Wade Boggs signature for example gets the same treatment but there should be a decent period of time..

You are actually suggesting the LOA has an expiration date? Further how can a statute run on Tony, the newest owner, if upon receiving it he decided to research it's authenticity and found out it is not what the house purported it to be?

The house who issued the LOA should buy the item back from Tony at whatever price he paid for it unless he is able to prove the person who sold it to him knew the item was not legit

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by botn

You are actually suggesting the LOA has an expiration date? Further how can a statute run on Tony, the newest owner, if upon receiving it he decided to research it's authenticity and found out it is not what the house purported it to be?

Thanks! Frustrating that there are always so many shoulda, coulda, woulda's. For me, this is simple. Auction House puts their LOA on the item, they own it and they are held accountable for it!!!

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by botn

You are actually suggesting the LOA has an expiration date? Further how can a statute run on Tony, the newest owner, if upon receiving it he decided to research it's authenticity and found out it is not what the house purported it to be?

The house who issued the LOA should buy the item back from Tony at whatever price he paid for it unless he is able to prove the person who sold it to him knew the item was not legit

I understand the morality but I can assure you there is going to be a statute of limitations on it. It doesnt mean that the person cant refund the money back after the statue of limitations expires, its just they legally wont have too. (which wouldnt give the AH good reviews)

You can also find out you sold 1000s of items that turned out to be fake and file Bankruptcy and not owe anything or as someone else alluded to, if the auction house closed for business they wont owe anything.

So in theory they can close a day after the auction. There are lots of ways sellers can get out of their responsibility. If you win an item you may want to have it independently verified so you have more than enough time to return it.

Of course if theres a criminal act going on, different time periods would apply etc...

[botn]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

I understand the morality but I can assure you there is going to be a statute of limitations on it. It doesnt mean that the person cant refund the money back after the statue of limitations expires, its just they legally wont have too. (which wouldnt give the AH good reviews)

You can also find out you sold 1000s of items that turned out to be fake and file Bankruptcy and not owe anything or as someone else alluded to, if the auction house closed for business they wont owe anything.

So in theory they can close a day after the auction. There are lots of ways sellers can get out of their responsibility. If you win an item you may want to have it independently verified so you have more than enough time to return it.

Of course if theres a criminal act going on, different time periods would apply etc...

Oy...

The auction house in question is not out of business nor have they filed bankruptcy in this situation. My point assumes the company is a going concern.

[vintagetoppsguy]

As Greg said, an auction house LOA should not have an expiration date (assuming the auction house is still in business) and, unless otherwise stated, the claim of authenticity should be transferable to another owner.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by botn

Oy...

The auction house in question is not out of business nor have they filed bankruptcy in this situation. My point assumes the company is a going concern.

Oy, and I answered you, as long as the statute of limitations have not expired than the AH would owe the money. Of course like i said they could avoid bad publicity that would hurt their wallet if they refused to pay even if they legally didnt have to as well...