[vargha]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

You asked for potential resolutions.

Although I seldom sell and have no experience with unsatisfied buyers (at least I recall no complaints), my approach has always been to offer a full refund so long as the item is returned to me in the same condition. No discounts--if there is something about the card that buyer believes makes it worth less than what he wanted to pay, then give it back. I don't believe in post-sale dickering over what might be a fair price--the cynic in me says that it could just be a buyer's tactic to chisel me down, and I'm not about to waste my time.

An auction house may have different marching orders or objectives, however, as there is (supposedly) a "keep the customer satisfied" and "larger picture" business model often in play. I can see them offering a discount to the underbidder's price, but little or no more. Assuming no shilling took place, someone else was willing to pay that next lower price, and even though no longer obligated to do so, those parties might have struck a deal. IMO, you can't assume that the underbidder would not have factored the possibility of pinholes or other undisclosed defects and would have withdrawn his bid had he known "the truth". IOW, there is an established market price of one bid less, and you maybe should get that price. Anything less is at least arguably unfair to the consignor.

So those are my two outcomes--you should be allowed to rescind if that is your wish, or take a slight one-bid discount.

Returning the lot at my expense was the very first offer that I made, and it was roundly dismissed.