Over the past several months I have been fascinated with the commentary on American Memorabilia (AMI) and the debate over their financial hardships and business practices. I've read the posts from Forum members who legitimately wonder why anyone would consign to them in the future or buy from them. Undecided until now on where I stood, I felt bad for the people who've consigned and not been paid, but found myself wondering why I would want to purchase from a company that has questionable business practices and a severely damaged reputation.
Ultimately I decided to bid on a couple of autographed photos and won an 8X10 in the auction ending last Thursday. The seller was operating under the "Authorized Dealer" plan and I was directed to make my payment directly to him. My winning bid was $20 and with the hammer fee and shipping came to $37.13 -- 85% of the purchase price. I'm happy that my purchase helped out someone trying to recover money owed them, but why in the world would I buy anything else? (rhetorical question).
Presumably the AMI rebuild plan doesn't include their buyers coming away from an auction feeling cheated; but I'm not privy to their ownership meetings. However, as a buyer I'm turned off by the feeling that AMI expects me, the buyer, to make their delinquent accounts whole by charging exorbitant shipping fees. They could at least take me to dinner and a movie before presenting me with their final price.
I paid the invoice because in the end it wasn't worth arguing over. But it does help me answer my question about whether or not to continue to business with AMI. I hope this Authorized Dealer plan works for Forum members still owed money; I've made my first and last contribution to the plan.
Jason
Ultimately I decided to bid on a couple of autographed photos and won an 8X10 in the auction ending last Thursday. The seller was operating under the "Authorized Dealer" plan and I was directed to make my payment directly to him. My winning bid was $20 and with the hammer fee and shipping came to $37.13 -- 85% of the purchase price. I'm happy that my purchase helped out someone trying to recover money owed them, but why in the world would I buy anything else? (rhetorical question).
Presumably the AMI rebuild plan doesn't include their buyers coming away from an auction feeling cheated; but I'm not privy to their ownership meetings. However, as a buyer I'm turned off by the feeling that AMI expects me, the buyer, to make their delinquent accounts whole by charging exorbitant shipping fees. They could at least take me to dinner and a movie before presenting me with their final price.
I paid the invoice because in the end it wasn't worth arguing over. But it does help me answer my question about whether or not to continue to business with AMI. I hope this Authorized Dealer plan works for Forum members still owed money; I've made my first and last contribution to the plan.
Jason
Comment