Shady Auction House in WV !!!

[scesnick]

So, Wifey and I used to frequent an auction house in Terra Alta Wv. We were there 2-3 times and bought little stuff. Well, one day we needed a new clothes washer. So, we headed to the auction. We went a bit overboard and bought not only a front load washer in which the auctioneer said was brand new.( that is why we bid and won because it was supposedly new) We also bought two Dyson vacuums, a small power washer and a 40"flat screen tv.

Well we got this stuff home, and NONE of it worked. NONE !!! I took the washer back and the owner said he would get the part to fix it. Well that was in JUNE!! called and called, ( the auction house is 1 hour from our house) we left them a message but they blew us off. FINALLY got in touch with them today and they said they are sick of hearing from us and that the do NOT have our washerand to go ahead and take them to court. He apparently re sold our washer to yet another sucker who I'm sure he also told it was brand new

I also bought a 4 wheeler off them at a different time earlier in the yr. I specifically asked if he had the title before i bid and he said yes. I never got the title and when I called about this he eventually ended up just hanging up one me.
We filed a complaint with the BBB but that was just about useless. Not sure what to do next other than go to court.

This place is a huge ripoff and he is now getting into auctioning farm equipment. So if you ever find yourself at BALL AUCTION in Terra Alta Wv. RUN !!!

 

[roadhunter]

Hate to hear about this type of scam. I know it's going to be tough but you are better off to cut your losses and move on. Wasting time and $ on it won't make it better.

Sometimes when we try to save money we actually lose money. Much like getting in a hurry actually wastes time instead of saving time. I've done the same thing over and over and have to work really hard to not do it now.

 

[murphy1244]

So, Wifey and I used to frequent an auction house in Terra Alta Wv. We were there 2-3 times and bought little stuff. Well, one day we needed a new clothes washer. So, we headed to the auction. We went a bit overboard and bought not only a front load washer in which the auctioneer said was brand new.( that is why we bid and won because it was supposedly new) We also bought two Dyson vacuums, a small power washer and a 40"flat screen tv.

Well we got this stuff home, and NONE of it worked. NONE !!! I took the washer back and the owner said he would get the part to fix it. Well that was in JUNE!! called and called, ( the auction house is 1 hour from our house) we left them a message but and they blew us off. FINALLY got in touch with them today and they said they are sick of hearing from us and that the do NOT have our washerand to go ahead and take them to court. He apparently re sold our washer to yet another sucker who I'm sure he also told it was brand new

I also bought a 4 wheeler off them at a different time earlier in the yr. I specifically asked if he had the title before i bid and he said yes. I never go the title and when I called about this he ended up just hanging up one me.
We filed a complaint with the BBB but that was just about useless. Not sure what to do next other than go to court.

This place is a huge ripoff and he is now getting into auctioning farm equipment. So if you ever find yourself at BALL AUCTION in Terra Alta Wv. RUN !!!

Write or e-mail your state attorney's office. They should take care of it. Write a nice polite letter be specific.

 

[kevin37b]

Why did you go back and bid again ?

 

[scesnick]

Why did you go back and bid again ?

Well, I didn't go back for a while. We figured since we were not buying a vehicle and only minor items we should be O.K. Apparently not.

Wifey did call the States Attorney today. Evidently they are well aware of this auction house and have had more than a few complaints recently.

 

[sd455dan]

So, Wifey and I used to frequent an auction house in Terra Alta Wv. We were there 2-3 times and bought little stuff. Well, one day we needed a new clothes washer. So, we headed to the auction. We went a bit overboard and bought not only a front load washer in which the auctioneer said was brand new.( that is why we bid and won because it was supposedly new) We also bought two Dyson vacuums, a small power washer and a 40"flat screen tv.

Well we got this stuff home, and NONE of it worked. NONE !!! I took the washer back and the owner said he would get the part to fix it. Well that was in JUNE!! called and called, ( the auction house is 1 hour from our house) we left them a message but they blew us off. FINALLY got in touch with them today and they said they are sick of hearing from us and that the do NOT have our washerand to go ahead and take them to court. He apparently re sold our washer to yet another sucker who I'm sure he also told it was brand new

I also bought a 4 wheeler off them at a different time earlier in the yr. I specifically asked if he had the title before i bid and he said yes. I never got the title and when I called about this he eventually ended up just hanging up one me.
We filed a complaint with the BBB but that was just about useless. Not sure what to do next other than go to court.

This place is a huge ripoff and he is now getting into auctioning farm equipment. So if you ever find yourself at BALL AUCTION in Terra Alta Wv. RUN !!!

I always thought that auction houses were: AS IS WHERE IS and No warranty implied. No matter what the auctioneer says.
I have bought several things from Riendland Auctions and have had ( pretty fair) luck- although one car I bought we couldn't get the engine cover (trunk) open -1986 Fiero and when we did the head was laying sideways on top of the engine:laughing: then again paid $175 and sold it for $400.

The auction house taking back the washer and re-selling does sound like fraud...

on the 4 wheeler - i thought they were like dirt bikes and only came with a (Certificate of Origin) which is usually lost in the first few years.

 

[dusty3030]

I would say lesson learned for sure. As the saying goes, burn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz61YQWZuYU

 

[RobertN]

Might be regional, but here in Calif, a dir bike/quad has pinkslip and registration like any other vehicle.

on the 4 wheeler - i thought they were like dirt bikes and only came with a (Certificate of Origin) which is usually lost in the first few years.

 

[zzvyb6]

People keep banging their heads against a wall because it feels so good when they stop. It's an AUCTION: The only place to sell crap that won't sell any other way.

Dysons are easy to fix, often covered by warranty (no matter who owns them). You might try to register them with Dyson, need the serial numbers. I have one (Animal) for each floor of the house and also the battery job for the cars and mudroom. They fixed up my first one because it was making some unusual noises. No charge.

Now a front load washer has only one use: to practice hockey slap and wrist shots in the barn.

Try an Estate sale or even Craigslist if you don't want to buy new. And plug the stuff in before you buy. If it won't light up at the sale, offer them a scrap price, take it home and fix it. Parts are all over the place online.

 

[ultrarunner]

Statute of limitations may come into play...

Don't know how small claims works in your state... here it is easy and cheap to file.

 

[Scooby074]

I would say lesson learned for sure. As the saying goes, burn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz61YQWZuYU

:thumbsup:

 

[2458n]

There is a sucker at every auction. If you do not know who it is ;it might be your turn.

 

[scesnick]

I understand that with auctions there are risks. However, Before the bidding started on the washer, the Auctioneer stated that this washer was brand new and worked as it should.

 

[blueriver]

Every profession has the good bad and ugly.. Shame on him for misrepresenting the items .. I have to be licensed and carry more than one states auctioneers license ... File a complaint with your states auctioneers license board.. They actually have investigators.. If your state requires auctioneers to be licensed it will be investigated by the state board .. And again if your state requires a license he is subject to your states laws .. He can be fined and loose his license.

 

[sixdogs]

There are some really shady dealers around but I know it going in and bid appropriately. They often get people to bid against themselves and raise their own bid. I bid rock bottom on things I'm interested in, never buy anything with electronics and always presume the worst in advance. That's how you have to look at things. If it shows up at an auction house it likely has problems. Better to buy from an auction of an estate or homeowner since lots less likely to be abused.

 

[davesl708]

The thing to remember about auctions. You paid more than anyone else was willing to pay.
If I can't test it out I don't buy used.

 

[davesl708]

Also, definitely a good idea to post the rats info online. Let as many people know as you can. When his wallet gets hit maybe he will change is way or go out of business.

 

[aczlan]

Also, definitely a good idea to post the rats info online. Let as many people know as you can. When his wallet gets hit maybe he will change is way or go out of business.

That is an excellent way to get a defamation lawsuit (which, yes the truth is a defense against that, but it will still cost for lawyer fees and lost time) and posting his contact info on here is against TBN acceptable use policy.

Aaron Z

 

[davesl708]

That is an excellent way to get a defamation lawsuit (which, yes the truth is a defense against that, but it will still cost for lawyer fees and lost time) and posting his contact info on here is against TBN acceptable use policy.

Aaron Z

It is one person's opinion of a transaction he had with this particular auction house. No defamation. No different than saying you got lousy service at Walmart

 

[aczlan]

It is one person's opinion of a transaction he had with this particular auction house. No defamation. No different than saying you got lousy service at Walmart

Not saying that there is defamation in this case, but there HAVE been defamation lawsuits over reviews and even if you win, you still have to pay your lawyer.
Fairfax jury declares a draw in closely watched case over
Man Threatened With Defamation Lawsuit Over Negative Yelp Review « CBS New York

Aaron Z