Heritage auction glitch

[hcv123]

So I was bidding on the 1955 bowman sample panel. I'm high bid till 12:12 when I get an email I was outbid - supposed to start the 30 minute clock again - well I go to place another bid and the lot is closed!? You can see the time stamp on this post 12:28est isn't even 30 minutes past the last bid. Sorry for the consignor and myself.

Anyone else have an issue like this?

[glynparson]

I believe they still have a telephone number why not call them when this occurred to see what the issue was and if it could be fixed? Sometimes the old technology is still useful.

[bgar3]

Howard, pm sent

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by glynparson

I believe they still have a telephone number why not call them when this occurred to see what the issue was and if it could be fixed? Sometimes the old technology is still useful.

I didn't call them at the time because I didn't figure anyone would be answering the phone at 12:24AM for an internet only auction.

That said, I did just get off the phone with Sabrina at Heritage. She firstly was INCREDIBLY nice. respectful and apologetic (helped me feel like my problem mattered). She then proceeded to verify what I stated happened! They need to investigate the problem further (I presume in part to determine if this was isolated to just the lot I was bidding on or more widespread) and get back with me. I will post follow up once I am followed up with.

BGAR - Thanks for your email. As I responded to you, unfortunately it was a different lot - wanted to recognize the kindness of your gesture.

[bgar3]

Thank you Howard, sorry I thought it was a different lot.

[Empty77]

Bad luck Howard. (Too bad the same thing didn't happen in my favor that time I battled you for a salesman sample panel you ended up with!)

Anyway, seems reasonable to me that they would be justified in cancelling the sale and listing it as a do-over in the next auction as the best resolution for all involved.

Whoever won it will likely feel annoyed and that is sort of bad PR, but ultimately I suspect their primary contractual responsibility is to the consignor, so if there was a software flaw that prevented the highest value sale, then I can't see any other way out except to void the low sale, apologize to all for the inconvenience, and then list a re-do at the next available opportunity.

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Anyone else have an issue like this?

...and since you asked, nope; I was after two items in that auction and got them both on after a full 30min countdown, watching the whole way with crossed fingers...and finally a smiling face!

(but it was the Thur close, not Fri)

[hcv123]

Sabrina said this was a priority - I presume I will hear back early next week. This is potentially a small thing OR a really big thing - if there is a flaw in the software that affects the auction ending as stated and affects multiple lots (as opposed to just one) - that is a BIG problem - some bidders may not even have paid attention. I agree your suggestion for a solution seems reasonable or just have a private auction between the person who "won" and me starting from the "winning" bid.

Rest assured that panel you speak of is for now is in good hands - sitting near its 1962 counterpart!

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Rest assured that panel you speak of is for now is in good hands - sitting near its 1962 counterpart!

(incidentally, I picked up my own '62 recently, the raw one that sold somewhere. Haven't yet organized myself enough to package it up and send it in...)

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Empty77

(incidentally, I picked up my own '62 recently, the raw one that sold somewhere. Haven't yet organized myself enough to package it up and send it in...)

figured you might go for it so I laid off (on top of having 1 already of course).

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by hcv123

figured you might go for it so I laid off (on top of having 1 already of course).

phew! thanks for not trying to corner the market on that one! But you know me, I'm satisfied now with just one good one, so you're welcome to any others and I wouldn't think of interfering.

Good luck resolving the HA issue.