Live Auctioneers’s earns a 1.6-star rating from 68 reviews, showing that the majority of bidders are dissatisfied with auction experience.
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customer support
I have used this platform for two years with frequency. I have transacted dozens of purchases without incident. Unfortunately, I have finally encountered an auctioneer who has not acted professionally (Donny Malone) and have been unable to resolve a dispute regarding two items that were not furnished to me when I went to collect them, despite having paid for them and made advance arrangements for pick-up (Malone's facility is 700 miles from my home). I have been given excuse after excuse by Donny Malone and no refund has been forthcoming.
Hence, I attempted to reach out to LiveAuctioneers today in order to report the issue and gain some guidance on obtaining a refund. When I called (212) 947-4428 I was transferred to the "bidder supporter team" but only reached a recorded message which encouraged me to visit the website rather than direct my call to a human being. When the message concluded I was permitted to leave a voicemail, but I have little confidence anyone will return the call, as the voicemail box was only identified as "Box 4428"--no name.
Given that this platform handles tens of thousands items on a daily basis there is no excuse for a lack of immediate phone support during normal business hours.
online auctions
This company has a culture of pro-seller and anti-consumer bias. The culture there encourages abuse of the consumer and some serious violations of consumer rights and privacy.
There is a dispute process for the sellers if an invoice goes unpaid, but if one of the auction houses engages in bad behavior, the consumer is left with no recourse and is simply ignored.
The terms of service the way they are written do not necessarily support this, and you don't find this out until you have a bad experience on their site. In my case, I was told they would not remove an unpaid invoice dispute against me even though the auctioneer was harassing and untrustworthy, but when it came to the auction house violating website policy there was no reporting mechanism and no dispute process. Yet they also tell you in the terms of service to report policy violations. It is only when you encounter those policy violations you figure out that it only for the benefit of the auctioneer sellers, not for the consumer who is buying thing on their website.
The auction house in my case had violated my privacy and was misusing my private information outside of the liveauctioneers website. When I tried to report it, I got little help, and eventually LiveAuctioneers terminated my account and deleted everything to cover it up.
The dispute process on the site is used to force consumers to give up their consumer rights or to accept abusive behavior by the sellers, because if they don't the website will stop them from participating in other auctions or else terminate their account completely. Even if you have a great track record buying regularly from another auction house, if you don't accept the abuse of one bad auction, that bad auction can report you to liveauctioneers who will suspend you.
The support staff says that they will work with the buyer to find a resolution, but they don't- what they do instead is to refuse any resolution that doesn't fit with what the auction house already wants you to do. In one chat session the rep said she would help mediate, but as soon as I recommended a compromise her immediate response was "No they don't do that". there was never even an offer to go take my suggestion back to the auctioneer. there was no back and forth or reciprocal effort on the part of the LiveAuctioneers to actually work for a resolution. Instead they misconstrued my request and deleted the bad review I had left for the auction house, which was not what I asked them to do. The auction house who is still there on LiveAuctioneers had taken my information and started to engage in cyber-bullying by posting my information in unflattering light in fake reviews on the google listings for my workplace. I reported this to LiveAuctioneers who said they asked the business to take it down, but instead what they did was delete my account to cover it up.
The support staff is difficult to reach and almost never calls back. If they write you back 2-3 days later, you are lucky.
A chat window can be a faster way to reach someone, but it is often useless, because the support is so poor and so one sided.
The dispute process against bidders is so one-sided against the consumer that it makes people give up their right of rejection under normal circumstances at any other kind of retailer and forces them to accept inferior or non-conforming goods. I felt that I had to accept an item that did not match the description, because the auctioneer filed a non-payment dispute, and I had no recourse with LiveAuctioneers. I reported the non-conformity to LiveAuctioneers and sent photos but never got a response from them. I felt that I had to complete the payment and take the damaged item against my will just to get LiveAucioneers off my back and let go of my account. And then I went to my bank later and filed a chargeback.
Without the pro-seller, anti-consumer policies of LiveAuctioneers I normally at any other business would have had a right to reject and not pay for that item. LiveAuctioneers won't let consumers do that.
I have filed complaints with numerous consumer groups this week over how poorly I was treated on this website. I would point out prior to this I had made dozens of purchases from numerous other auctions on the site and never had a problem until now. LiveAuctioneers would rather throw me under the bus than have to confront one of its auction houses for abuse. it's just sad.
princeton auctioneers
I have bid on many auctions live and never had a problem before. On a September Asian Sale(Aug. 31, 2019) I bid on Princeton Auctioneers Lot #0081. I successfully won the pair of Chinese Porcelain Blue and White Flower Zun Vases. Therefore, Princeton sent me an email invoice #2805175 for the following:
Item : $1400.00
Buyer's Premium : 350.00
Sub Total: 1750.00
Shipping : 30.00
TOTAL $1780.00
I sent them a check immediately, which they cashed on Sept. 11, 2019. I have not received the items. I have called repeatedly and as of now have not heard from them. If they cannot send me the items paid for, then I am requesting a full refund.
This is not the way to do business. This gives LIVE AUCTIONEERS a bad reputation,
one that I am sure you do not want.
I would appreciate any assistance you could give me in this matter.
Thank you,
Linda Halpert
Cell: [protected]
Email: [protected]@aol.com
s. dali bronze
Purchased "Rare limited edition numbered bronze Dali -Dalinian", for $1, 339.45 with shipping. I am a collector of bronze figurines. It appraised for between$80-120. It is not rare, not numbered, not limited and not a Dali. The value presented on line was between $3, 150-$6300. This was a complete fraud. The misrepresentation had to be known by the auction house. This bronze is a knockoff probably from China. I am now skeptical of ever doing any future on line auction purchases in the future. (Lot#241, Dalinian Dancer-Salvador Dali,
9/16/19)
Dr. Bernard Nash
live auctioneers website
Cannot access the Live Auctioneers Web Site -- it comes on and flashes right off. It happens if I access directly from Google; from my emails, etc.
Other websites work just fine; in fact INVALUABLE comes up instead.
Have you gone out of business? You don't answer your phone, you don't return voicemail, you don't return email...Have you gone out of business?
Nina Coltrane
mc inns auction on jan 26 2019
last eve i was fooling the auction on live auctioneers and had few items i was planning on bidding on.It seemed there were technical problems thru out the sale...
when lot 1543, silver box with dog in stone 9n lid came it opened at $ 100
i sent my bid and waited and waited and nothing was happening..the next thing i know they went to following item so id did not get it?did some one else got it or it was taken off the floor?
what ever it was i am not a happy camper as i wanted the box as i collect SERIOUSLY all things Whippet, tyhis dog looked like my now gone dog Zoey
please help
thx
alain filiz
absentee bid not taken into account
Hello,
I let a £2000 absentee bid for the lot 1382 of the 27 Spetember sale of John Nicholson auctioneers (a bronze sculpture).
Apparently, my bid has not been taken into account. I have contacted John Nicholson Auctioneers and for them, the item has been sold for £1220.
That is of course not acceptable. To bid is legally binding an d my bid must be considered.
What can we do now?
Best regards,
Antoine de Labretoigne
[protected]@yahoo.fr
gallery submitted false complaint
Hi I won a silver basket in online sale with Live Art TV
Send a check they lost it sent a second check before it arrived the CEO emailed me to say the consignor took the item back, so it was no longer available for sale.
I complained to Live Auctioneers about this, as well as that gallery running a "rigged" sale - generating phony bids to elevate prices - - nothing happened
In fact, they just submitted a non payment complain against me !
This is my third email /call to you
with no reply...
please reply Dr R Barresi
customer support
Stopped receiving emails from LA a few weeks ago. Tried to email/ phone to get it rectified, only to find that customer service is virtually non existent. They claim to have Live Chat available from 9-5 on weekdays, but there's no way to access it. No response to emails, phone call ended at an extension that "wasn't available".
When an auction is won, communication with the seller is essential- recently, all of them have filed disputes because I hadn't paid, which is a direct result of LA not sending out automated emails. From what the auctioneers told me, there have been other complaints about the same issue. They're not getting paid because customers aren't being invoiced.
They don't even go as far as reaching the Junk/ Spam folder. I have added them as a safe sender/ contact as they told me to the last time this happened.
Very unhappy.
pay high hidden fees but receive nothing
The lot price is 20 euros but the seller ask extra 60 euros hidden fees! All of them are not mentioned in the description or terms of sales.
When I file a complaint to Liveauctioneers with this overcharging, they told me it's normal and lie through their teeth they could found all the information in the terms of sales! (impossible at all)
They told me the purchase is located in UK and should followed UK's law. I ma located in France and the seller located in Swiss. Why the purchase is done in UK? U can choose which country's law as u want after the sell?
Finnaly I paid 50 euros but never receive the lot. When I contact the auction house and site. No respond at all!
Fraud on quality and value of object
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/48004312_genuine-tanzanite-necklace-50-cts
"Vancouver Island" auction house posted a nice strand of Tanzanite beads at a starting bid of US$150 (estimate 2'500-3'500) so I went in with the starting bid, much to my surprise I was the winner and the only bidder. When I received the merchandise I was shocked it was Tanzanite OK but very bad quality something you would find at the flea market not at all like the picture and in no way worth the starting bid (real value maybe $30 max). Later on I did some research on "Vancouver Island" and found complaints about their FAKE merchandise. I'm surprised Liveauctioneers still allows them to use the site.
I posted this complaint. The link that appears on the first page is incorrect it should be: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/royal-treasures - FRAUD Glass not Hetian Nephrite - soft stone not Jade
Just received package with the three lots mentioned below. Here are my comments :
Lot 3223 Natural Green Round Spinach Jade Bracelet 61mm $100.-- This is in no way jade but a soft stone probably Serpentine
Lot 3668 Natural Yellow-Lime & White Jade Bangle 60mm $125.-- Not jade this is a very soft stone
Lot 3001 Natural Translucent Hetian jade Bangle 61mm $175.-- This IS NOT STONE but a very bad cheap glass imitation with bubbles and chips.
xxxxx thought you were a trustworthy person. I hope it is the case but then your consigners have very fraudulent ways.
What I don't understand is how an EXPERT can estimate a piece of chipped glass with bubbles at the price of Hetian jade.
Who are these people ? who appoints them to do the job ? Liveauctioneers ? You ?
I knew the the first two bangles I ordered were not jade but at least they were nice and some kind of a soft stone.
It goes without saying that I am very very disappointed by the latest merchandise but there's even worse; I trusted the wrong person the wrong company.
Regarding lot 0175 the hammer I bid was $25.00 not $50.00 Please investigate and get back to me. I already addressed it with David Killen auction and they told me to talk to you. I have already paid the invoice. Let me know what is the procedure.
Athena Lazarides
EXCELLENT SERVICE
I bought $20, 000 worth of items from SMRJ AUCTIONS and to my surprise the package arrived in a very timely manner after 3 days of making payment. All items were as described and advertised. I would like to commend an excellent customer service who patiently answered all my queries. So far this is the best auction house I ever dealt with. Very good value of money and excellent service, this company is highly recommended specially now a days that it is very hard to establish trust in dealing with online purchases. I will be making more future purchases with SMRJ since they are proven and tested.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Fraud
Live Auctioneers of New York City in conjunction with Elite Decorative Arts of Boynton Beach, FL, scammed me at an Auction held at Elite's offices at 1034 Gateway Blvd., Boynton Beach FL. Live Auctioneers handles the Internet bidding for Elite's auction as well as other auction houses. On 5/19 the owner of Elite, Chris Hayes, came to my home and I gave him...
Read full review of Live Auctioneers and 2 commentsScam
I bid on a lithograph from these people, and when it arrived, it was completely different than that which was shown on their site. Even the signature was in a different place on the print! The colors were all wring as well. I wish I had done my homework. Avoid these people!
Read full review of Live Auctioneers and 15 commentsBBB F Rating - Unethical Website
I beg of people to stay far away from LiveAuctioneers.com. I used my email address for a LiveAuctioneers.com profile and I had over $6000 forced from me without any services or products provided. I made the mistake of dealing with this website before doing research and now I am paying huge penalties. Here is the BBB report. A solid F rating.
http://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-reviews/auctioneers/live-auctioneers-in-new-york-ny-123530/
Bad company! Stick with Ebay where you are protected! LiveAuctioneers.com is a Horrible website.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I had over $6ooo stolen from me
My email address was used to sign up for a LiveAuctioneers.com account. Suddenly there were thousands of dollars in charges associated with my profile. I did not place the bids, I did not sign off on the bids, I did not agree to this websites terms. Yet 3 months later I was harrassed by a collection agency called Lazarus Fianancial Group. This collection agency said they were collecting for Western Asset reserve and Live Auctioneers. They threatened me into giving them $6038.14 to settle my www.LiveAuctioneers.com profile. I was never provided any goods or services from Live Auctioneers LLC, yet after I signed up for a profile, I was scammed for over $6k. This website claims on a BBB response that they take no responsibilty in what happens on their site. I would stay far away from this website. I was personally scammed out of $6k+. I will make it my life mission to warn others of these unethical internet companies
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I too am having trouble with this auction house. The amount involved is fairly small but I will not let them steal any money from me. I hope they will refund my money for a 'lost' item very soon but so far they have not acted in a reasonable or professional manner. I will very soon instigate legal proceedings and will not rest until they have reimbursed me for the sum I paid for the item loss of profit for all my out of pocket expenses.
BEWARE OF WESTERN ASSET RESERVE! I've had good luck with LiveAuctioneers, so I'm not ready to throw them as a venue out the window yet (but if they continue being as useless as they have been on this, it's not long in coming).
I'm in this same boat now. I "won" an item I DID NOT BID ON from Western Asset Reserve ("WAR") through LiveAuctioneers. Luckily only $15, which doubles after their buyer's premium, shipping charge, mandatory insurance, and handling fee. The money is not the point, though. Yeah, times are hard, but I earn more than the total price in an hour. For me, it's the principle. And these people are horrid to deal with!
I've been inconstant contact with LiveAuctioneers (no help so far) and Western Asset Reserve (far less than no help). In signing up for their auction, I obligated myself to their terms and conditions (which I was told is a "privilege" by the way **roll eyes**). That's great, I sign up for many auctions and don't bid on anything. No issue, because the terms and conditions are terms and conditions of SALE. This is fine and dandy, but I DID NOT place a bid, thus there was no SALE! let me warn you, if you ever get the "privilege" of signing up for a WAR auction, pass on it. Trust me, it is NOT worth it.
Here's a quote for you from a telephone conversation with a woman at WAR regarding this issue... Me: "I did not bid on this item. I did NOT place a bid." Woman: "Ok." Me: " But you are telling me that I have to pay for something I did NOT bid on or buy?" Woman: "Yes." Me: "And if I don't pay for something i did not purchase, I will get sent to collections and ruin my perfect credit history?" Woman: "Yes." Me: "Is that even legal?" Woman: "Yes."
I even offered to pay then the $15 actual bid - that they could keep it (FAR more generous than I should have been, but if you saw the hideous junk I "won, " you'd understand). I didn't want merchandise credit because I would never shop with them again. No, that was completely unacceptable. I had to pay the full invoice, including shipping, for an item that would not be sent to me.
The lady told me that they hear this complaint all the time (sadly, I believe this - there are a bunch of idiots in the world whose word means nothing to them). This, however, is NOT an excuse for a company to LOSE all common sense. This is reportedly why their policy is so strict (and leaves no room for common sense). They want to lose me and the person who recommended me to them as customers over $15. At least, as consolation, with business sense like that, they won't be in business long. Unless they keep stealing from and scamming people.
She said the most common "excuse" was "my dog's paw slipped and hit the bid button." Look, I don't care about your dog, your friend, your kid, you, or anyone you know. I keep my account secure. I have quite a history built up buying MUCH more expensive items. I've accidentally placed a bid on the wrong item before, and paid for it because it was my fault (an ugly watch I gave to my boyfriend, even he hates it... and I spent $200 on it!). It's funny, I've never had another issue in the past over any other issue or with any other auction house. (Ever heard the saying "it's probably not the rest of the world..."?)
They tell me someone had to have pressed "BID." Someone teleported into my locked office when I was in a meeting, went to my locked computer, turned my screens back on, and placed a bid. She says one of my coworkers must have thought it would be "funny." If I knew who it was, I would give them a raise, because teleportation and omniscience of my passwords are a seriously niche skill set I could definitely appreciate!
Ever heard the saying that the simplest solution is probably correct? Hmmm... food for thought. No, wait, it makes more sense that someone got through a locked door, onto a locked computer, turned my multiple screens back on, and bid on a particularly heinous item to be "funny." Or I bid on $15 junk (magically, because I was 100 yards away from my computer, mind you), when my long history indicates I always buy far nicer and more expensive items, only very unique, rare, or one-of-a-kind yellow gold cat jewelry, occasional 19th century yellow gold jewelry, 17th-19th century cat paintings, or vintage cat bronzes (and a questionable Tag Heuer watch, previously mentioned).
That's why I bought a "scrimshaw" mass produced piece of junk which they list another of every day they have an auction (total China junk). Both scenarios make tons of sense. I clearly need to go to collections. I have never had an issue, and I've bought from Skinner, Sotheby's, and a ton of other reputable antique auctions, just to name a few. I'm just looking to scr*w WAR out of $15... that's actually kind of funny. I once volunteered with mentally ###ed children, and it kind of reminds me of the things they would say that just made NO sense. But they were kind and sweet, so it was cute and funny. WAR, on the other hand... not so much.
I've had more intelligent conversations with my cat. Wait, maybe my cat came to work with me and stepped on the keyboard while I was in a meeting? That's probably it. Shoot, how did I not think of that before! Or maybe my cat can fly, and he magically flew out of my house and followed me to work, then dissipated through the window of my highrise office and did it the second I went to my meeting. And vanished without a trace left beyond my "winning bid" afterwards. All of these are very plausible scenarios.
So, here's the moral of the story: I can just waltz around, charge someone for something they did not bid on or buy, acknowledge that fact, but legally be allowed to charge them and send them into collection for said item. Where do I sign up? I work 60 hour weeks and make an honest living for nothing! If I would have known it was this easy to steal money from people, I would have thrown my morals and conscience to the wind before I was out of diapers!
I had $6038.14 stolen strong armed from me
My email address was used to sign up for a LiveAuctioneers.com account. Suddenly there were thousands of dollars in charges associated with my profile. I did not place the bids, I did not sign off on the bids, I did not agree to this websites terms. Yet 3 months later I was harrassed by a collection agency called Lazarus Fianancial Group. They threatened me...
Read full review of Live Auctioneers and 6 commentsLive Auctioneers Reviews 0
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About Live Auctioneers
One of the key features of LiveAuctioneers is its user-friendly interface. The platform is easy to navigate, and users can quickly find the auctions they are interested in. The website also provides detailed information about each auction, including the date, time, and location, as well as a description of the items up for bid.
Another advantage of LiveAuctioneers is its global reach. The platform has a vast network of auction houses and sellers from all over the world, which means that buyers can access a wide range of unique and rare items. This global reach also means that buyers can participate in auctions from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection.
LiveAuctioneers also offers a range of tools and features to help buyers make informed decisions. For example, the platform provides detailed information about each item up for bid, including high-quality images and descriptions. Buyers can also view the bidding history for each item, which can help them gauge the level of interest in the item and determine its value.
Overall, LiveAuctioneers is a reliable and convenient platform for buying and selling items at auction. With its user-friendly interface, global reach, and range of tools and features, it is a great option for anyone looking to participate in online auctions.
Overview of Live Auctioneers complaint handling
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Live Auctioneers Contacts
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Live Auctioneers phone numbers+1 (888) 600-2437+1 (888) 600-2437Click up if you have successfully reached Live Auctioneers by calling +1 (888) 600-2437 phone number 2 2 users reported that they have successfully reached Live Auctioneers by calling +1 (888) 600-2437 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Live Auctioneers by calling +1 (888) 600-2437 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Live Auctioneers by calling +1 (888) 600-2437 phone number
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Live Auctioneers emailsinfo@liveauctioneers.com100%Confidence score: 100%Supportsupport@liveauctioneers.com98%Confidence score: 98%support
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Live Auctioneers address220 12th Ave., Fl 2, New York, New York, 10001, United States
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Live Auctioneers social media
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Checked and verified by Rachel This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn moreNov 19, 2024
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Most discussed Live Auctioneers complaints
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