Question About Auction Description

I just received my box from an auction. The description was:


Bold added.

I was told by the auctioneer after the auction that the "imperf proof sheet" was the table of contents of the Wildflowers USPS presentation book, with page numbers instead of denominations.

I feel like this was a fraudulent description. Am I overreacting?

thanks

Joe

I would think that you have a good case, especially if your bidding was contingent on that one particular item. If you feel the remainder is not satisfying, I would petition for a refund.

The "imperf proof sheet" was the item that caught my eye.

What do the terms of sale say about large lots. This will guide and dispute the parties to the issue have.

There's often a caveat around refurns of mixed lots, although in this case the problem element was specifically described by the auctioneer. Also the possibility of negotiating a revised price with the auctioneer, if you were interested in the lot beyond this specific item.

This one definitely amused me...

As a fellow collector, I sympathize - almost...

If it was a small lot, that would be a different story. With a lot of 27,000 stamps?? Complaints about one item will likely not be well received. You're certainly welcome to try - my guess is that returns are explained in their terms & conditions, as already stated.

Had you ever heard of an 'imperf proof sheet' of this issue? I certainly haven't.

We've all 'taken a flyer' on auction lots with poor pictures & bad descriptions - hoping to 'snag' that rare/valuable item. My guess is that is what you were hoping for here?! (And we don't want to ask in advance - and alert the auctioneer to potential excess value?!!)

You didn't get it this time. From the description, it sounds like you got value for your money in any case. Overreacting? Perhaps. You can try to get a refund/adjustment; if they accommodate you, then it's a truly honorable auction house.

Clearly a bad sentence in the description. But the auction houses get to win occasionally too!

I think there is a point where the lot has to match the description. If I were complaining because the lot only contained 25,000 stamps, I would be overly fussy. But what if I got a box with 2500 stamps?

In this case, the description was quite specific,




There was no indication that the "proof sheet" was, in fact not only an "illustration in the book", but the table of contents with page numbers in place of denominations.

I find it hard to believe that an auction house that regularly sells stamps, and is a member of the ASDA, could not tell the difference.

No matter the size of the lot, the very specific wording by the auction firm goes beyond "bad description". It looks like deliberate fraud to me.

"Deliberate fraud" might be too strong; it's possible that the auction house simply didn't know and made a mistake. This happens a lot more often then most people realize. I would talk to them politely to see if an adjustment can be made, but the success or failure will depend on the particular auction house involved and also on how often you bid with them. Some are much better then others in this area.

If they didn't know, they have no business being in the stamp trade.

NO auction house knows everything. EVERY auction house makes the occasional mistake. Even Siegel. Some make more then others.