Protect Yourself- And Do It Right!

[Eric]

Many threads on this forum deal with difficulties with transactions.

They include:
You've received an item that wasn't as described.
Someone took your money and won’t send the item.
An auction house won't pay you for your consignment.
You have proof of doctoring or other improprieties

Whatever it is, you've hit dead ends and need to take things to the next level.

What do you do?

Don't despair. There's plenty of help available.

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If an established company has behaved in a way inappropriate for business, contact the Better Business Bureau

http://www.bbb.org/

A quick questionnaire will lead you to the local bureau for which to fill out your complaint. You will be given a case number and the ability to follow up on the website.

As is appropriate, you will have to provide information about yourself and your situation as well as the company you’re filing about.

As a preventative measure you may also search out companies to see what their track record is and check their rating.

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Did you have a problem with something you purchased over the internet and the seller refuses to resolve it?

The Internet Crime Complaint Center is a site associated with the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center

http://www.ic3.gov/

Again, you will be given the opportunity to file a complaint with your information and the information of the person with whom you're having a problem.

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What if I'm having trouble with an auction house?

There are federal rules regarding how auction houses must run. These kinds of businesses are governed by the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission.

If you feel an auction house should be reported for unscrupulous activites go to http://www.ftc.gov/

There are also tips available about how to avoid auction fraud.
They recommend contacting your state attorney general's office, county of state consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau as well as the FTC.

[Eric]

I did a quick examination of the high profile auction houses to see their standing with the Better Business Bureau. Here's how the BBB rated them

American Memorabilia- Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to two or more unanswered complaints.

(here is the bbb definition of an unsatisfactory record)

Unsatisfactory Record - A company has an unsatisfactory business performance record with the Bureau is based on the experiences reflected in BBB files. This file condition results when the company has failed to resolve or respond to complaints, repeatedly failed to respond or resolve issues in a timely manner, failed to resolve the underlying issues for a pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company’s size and volume of business, of complaints, failed to honor their commitment to mediate or arbitrate disputes or honor mediated agreements or arbitrated decisions, failed to substantiate, modify or discontinue false advertising claims that are challenged by the BBB, or failed to discontinue unauthorized use of the BBB name and logo, a Federally protected trademark.

http://www.vegasbbb.org/rptrel.asp?bbbid=65098

Grey Flannel- Not listed

Lelands-Satisfactory record

(here is the bbb definition of an satisfactory record)

A satisfactory record means a company has been in business for at least 12 months, and properly addressed matters referred by the Bureau. The company does not have an unusual volume of complaints, or any government actions involving its marketplace conduct. The Bureau understands and has no concerns about the company's products, services and type of business.

http://www.newyork.bbb.org/reports/b...age=1&id=19860

Mastronet- Satisfactory record
http://www.chicago.bbb.org/commonrep...l?bid=38005043

Robert Edward Auctions-Not listed

Vintage Authentics-Satisfactory record
http://www.mnd.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=96011535

Memory Lane-Not listed

Heritage Auctions-Not listed

Historic Auctions- No record of complaints
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/common...l?bid=90031182

SCP Auctions-Not listed

Hunt Auctions-Satisfactory/Company was responsive to complaint
http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?na...mpid=132644682

[Eric]

As a follow up to this thread, the Better Business Bureau now lists two complaints again Historic Auctions. According to the website, Historic has not responded to either case and the BBB has made many attempts to contact them.

One case is about advertising issues, which the BBB classifies as
"Claims alleging print or electronic media advertised claims or practices misrepresent the service or product offer"

The other case is about delivery issues which they describe as "Claims alleging delayed delivery of ordered merchandise"

http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/common...l?bid=90031182