Heritage Auctions - Boston Garters

[sonnyu2]

Originally Posted by mordecaibrown

Using this situation as a reference, then Heritage should reopen these lots for bidding.

The set lot that Powell was bidding on closed - he couldn’t enter any more bids (I feel like this keeps getting lost). So, because of a software “glitch” and everyone NOT being able to bid, the lots should be reopened.

I’m also blown away by the “victim blaming” - Powell should have checked to see that the other lots were still open, etc… and done what? Placed a bid in his closed auction item? I don’t think he (or individual winners) did anything wrong - and blame shouldnt be placed with them. Any vitriol towards them is mind boggling.

And yes, it’s just cards, but I can’t comprehend going to bed and assuming you had won a once in a lifetime set and woken up to this mess.

In my opinion, the solution is to reopen the lots and perform the auction as was intended. Individual versus set competing.

Correct, Heritage could claim "Technical Issues" with the close of the auction and re-open the auction for those lots if they wanted to. Heritage, as well as most other auction houses, reserve the right to re-open lots, cancel sales, cancel bids, etc for just about any reason.

it would not be the first time by any means that an online auction was re-opened for bidding after "ending" due to technical reasons - it happens more often than most realize.

And just to reiterate, an emailed notice of a winning bid is not a guarantee of actually "winning" the item. Emails / Notices can be sent in error for a number of reasons. Especially with all of the ways to bid these days, clerical errors can and will be made by auction personnel when executing bids. And just about all Auction Terms & Conditions protect the auction house from these "errors". In this case, the bidding system just was not set up properly for that type of auction and sent a winning bid notice in error.

Obviously a frustrating situation for all involved with no real way to make everyone happy, but hopefully a big learning experience for Heritage.

[Powell]

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

Jesus. After all those years and all those dealings, that is truly appalling.

[aconte]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

I read this thread last night and was wondering how it would be addressed.
Very surprised.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

While I hoped you would have gotten a different response, this was to be expected. It seems like we are numbers to them, not people.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

Wow, I would have thought a phone call would be warranted with as much business as you have done with them. Also, an explanation of how exactly the process worked as there is a bit of conjecture on that subject.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

Did they even speak to the details here?

Or was it just like, "Thanks for bidding, and thanks for your email. Our next auction opens 11/4. Best of luck!"

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by raulus

Did they even speak to the details here?

Or was it just like, "Thanks for bidding, and thanks for your email. Our next auction opens 11/4. Best of luck!"

Consignments accepted.

[calvindog]

At the end of the day, Heritage is a behemoth auction house which doesn’t need Powell and is arrogant enough not to care what he thinks. They may pay some lip service but they really aren’t concerned. REA wouldn’t handle it this way, I assure you all. Spend 5 mins with Heritage’s owners and Brian Dwyer and you’ll quickly understand.

[a761506]

I assume multiple calls were made to Heritage to try to put a stop on the cards going out, what has come of that? They’ve had days now to plan what they are going to do about it. It’s 2:30 TX time now, they can’t just sweep this under the rug I don’t imagine.

[Powell]

Jeff,

Sadly, I think you are exactly right. Arrogance.

[oldjudge]

The words from Brian might have been a little different but at the end of the day my sense is that the result would have been the same. And by the way, I think Chris is one of the good guys in the hobby.

[GeoPoto]

It appears that Heritage is going to take the view that the auction was conducted in accordance with the rules. Avoiding discussion regarding why they allowed this particular auction to proceed in accordance with rules that seem to be designed without consideration of these circumstances. Confusing at best and misleading in practice and apparently suboptimal for the consignor (although whether Powell would have persevered under better rules is unknown). No doubt Heritage will perform any similar auctions different in the future, benefiting from Powell's illumination of the likely scenarios.

While it is sad to see anybody (in this case, Powell) misled into ecstasy only to be kicked to the curb despite earnest efforts to win at all costs, I don't see the presumption that because he was "declared the winner" of the Set Lot he achieves any primacy over the higher bidder(s), who were declared winner with bids that were more beneficial to the consigner. Under the (sloppy) rules in effect being Set Lot winner was not the same as winning the cards, because they could go to the Individual Lot winners. And they did.

[111gecko]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

Is it possible they're contacting each of the single card winners and cutting a deal with them to back out of their "wins"? Seems reasonable they are doing background before contacting you. Not saying it is the correct course of action for a long-time client, but I would be willing to guess Heritage would extend substantial incentives to the single card high bidders to get you the set. I think this solution would make everyone happy. The Baker will be challenging though, and certainly of no fault to Aaron, but like they say: "everything is for sale at a certain price"...bummer for all on what should have been an exciting evening!

[raulus]

Originally Posted by 111gecko

Is it possible they're contacting each of the single card winners and cutting a deal with them to back out of their "wins"? Seems reasonable they are doing background before contacting you. Not saying it is the correct course of action for a long-time client, but I would be willing to guess Heritage would extend substantial incentives to the single card high bidders to get you the set. I think this solution would make everyone happy. The Baker will be challenging though, and certainly of no fault to Aaron, but like they say: "everything is for sale at a certain price"...bummer for all on what should have been an exciting evening!

That would definitely be awesome for Powell.

But even in my wildest dreams, I have a hard time imagining this alternative universe.

Not only that, but sometimes there is a price, but the price is 10x or 100x the hammer price actually paid.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by 111gecko

Is it possible they're contacting each of the single card winners and cutting a deal with them to back out of their "wins"? Seems reasonable they are doing background before contacting you. Not saying it is the correct course of action for a long-time client, but I would be willing to guess Heritage would extend substantial incentives to the single card high bidders to get you the set. I think this solution would make everyone happy. The Baker will be challenging though, and certainly of no fault to Aaron, but like they say: "everything is for sale at a certain price"...bummer for all on what should have been an exciting evening!

Hard to believe they would be doing something like this without letting Powell know they were trying to satisfy him because of how poorly they ran the auction for these cards. If he hasn't heard anything by now then it likely means the results will remain as they are.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Powell

I got what I would describe as a “blow off” email from Heritage.
Not even the courtesy of a phone call.

that's shocking. sorry to hear it.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by sonnyu2

Obviously a frustrating situation for all involved with no real way to make everyone happy, but hopefully a big learning experience for Heritage.

And hopefully a lesson for all of us!

In the cold light of day on Monday morning, it seems like the only way to make sure that you win the whole set is to bid like a drunken sailor on all of the individual lots, plus on the lot for the full set.

Because otherwise you're leaving yourself open to a potential that you win the lot for the set, but lose overall.

I do wish Powell the best of luck with his approach and process. Maybe Heritage will decide to attempt to declare that the bidding should be re-opened. But I wouldn't bet on it.