Auctioneer Obligation

I bid on an item on a local on line auction. I won the bid on Tuesday and pick-up for the auction items was scheduled for 11:00 to 1:00 on Thursday. I drove 50 miles to the auction site and arrived @ 11:00. Paid for the item and the auction on site personel went to get the item. After much looking they came back and said the item was not there (stolen?) They told me to call the main auctioneer to resolve the problem. They refunded my money before I left the site, but told them I just spent 2 hours and drove 100 miles round trip for nothing. I called the auctioneer when I got home and explained the problem...he said he would check into and call me back the next day. That was three days ago and no return call. Called him twice and left messages to call me...no response. I told him at a live auction if you win a bid and someone steals your item...you still have to pay for it. In an on line auction the auctioneer has the responsibility to care for them item until it"s paid for. What"s a fair resolution to this problem???

A little clarification would help. Did you put in an online bid on a live auction, or was this an online auction like ebay? Either way, I think they treated you fairly under the circumstances.

Do you just want a pound of flesh from someone, or do you think they should pay for your time and mileage? If so, why?

my view?

if the auction agency had custody of the item being auctioned. and if it was a legit auction with a licensed and insured auctioneer.. and a legit bid was made and the bidder was declared winner.. then the bidder drove down ( incuring cost ) and appeared at the correct time.. and the item was not there.

then yeah. pound of flesh.

he held up his end of the bargain.. they defaulted.. and the bidder is financially out fuel, and trip expenses and TIME.

I'm an engineer. my time isn't free. when people waste my time.. it bothers me.

they fgact that there is a lack of personal responsibility when people are doing ( not doing ) thier jobs is a big problem these days.

apathy is the new rule.

if i was the bidder and got stiffed and was not SOMEHOW repayed for my time and expense.. i'd file a complaint with the authority governing auctions in that state.

It needent be 'like for like' reimbursement.. and it needent be 100% equitable. A gesture or offer to make right on some level.. at barte minumum.. some communication to start the process would help.

if nothing else.. a (credit) discount on buyers premium in the amount the bidder is out, towards the next item(s) he bids on would seem to be a win-win.

IE.. say the bidder is out 50$.. then give him a 50$ credit towards future buyers premiums at that auction house.

that's a win-win.

keeps the bidder coming back as a customer.. lets the bidder recoup expenses..

that's what I'd suggest..e tc.

Steve...it was an on-line auction where all items were purchased by on line bids. No live bidders on site. My question is the level of responsibility for the auction company. I wasted 2 hours of my time ($40) and the cost to drive 100 miles ($35) and got nothing due to their negligence in not securing the items they were selling. The fact that they did not follow up with the promised response is just icing on the cake.

If I drive to walmart and a listed item is out of stock should I collect for labor and gas also?
What if I drive 100 miles to a farm auction and a listed tractor was removed from the sale? Seen this several times.What if a tractor is listed as a 1958 model and it's a 1948?That's just life.Your lucky you got your money back on an online auction.Now if it was a ten thousand dollar item and you drove 500 moles,that might be a different story.

They gave you back your money, if you are not happy just do not do business with them again. I don t think he owes you anymore. Not trying to pick a fight, just what I think.

If you were to go before a judge he would ask to see the written contract. In onl-ine transactions, from my experience you have to agree to the sellers posted rules when you submit your bid. Did he promise reimbursement for lost travel time and expenses if you were not happy with the transaction? If not he will tell you that you are well within your rights to not do business with the auctioneer again.

In most states auctioneers are licensed get in touch with the agency or call the head of the auctioneer's association and get the information you need to file a complaint.Guaranteed they'll get his attention.I got an auctioneer fined and
license supended for 6 months for some similar shenangans.

they owe you a back scratchin for sure. doesn't sound like they are interested though. order anything from anywhere and you expect it to be there when you go to get it. you are left with cutting ties and, if so inclined, spreading your opinion of them.

Soundguy has it right. I totally agree