To begin with, it should be noted that there are a number of reputable autograph auction houses that specialise in this field and can provide a guarantee for the authenticity of their items. However, these trustworthy auction houses are not very common.
Due to the effects of Covid, there has been a surge in the number of "Auction Houses" compared to before, and many of them lack knowledge or expertise in authentic autographs, making caution necessary. The field of autographs is highly specialised. Most simply rely on a Certificate of Authenticity (which often lacks contact information of the original seller) or the word of the seller. They take advantage of the fact that the majority of bidders are now online and do not physically attend the auction, which means the items are not examined firsthand.
The book with the signature of Rowling displayed is not authentic, as it was produced by a machine and was falsely advertised as being signed by the author at a public sale.
Typically, the purchaser approaches me after already buying the item and realising it is not authentic. The auction house, on the other hand, always claims the authenticity of the item and places responsibility on the buyer for not inspecting it before bidding. However, they never acknowledge the fact that the item is not authentic. They will insist that no refunds are allowed and suggest that the buyer must obtain written opinions from two experts (usually ones they approve of) and also should have familiarised themselves with the terms and conditions beforehand.
So let's examine these terms as they are fairly typical of some auction houses. "XYZ Auctions will not be held liable for the accuracy of any statement made, whether it is written in a catalog or spoken, concerning the assessment, authorship, attribution, authenticity, origin, date, age, provenance, and condition of the item."
Simply put, it states that they have the freedom to express their opinions without regard for accuracy or truthfulness. This is a common occurrence in the fine print, but how many of us actually take the time to read and verify these details? So always take time to read those small print terms !
In the event that an auction house refuses to provide a refund for an item purchased, there are steps that can be taken to obtain one. Despite any claims made by the auction house about their "terms and conditions," the law supports the customer's right to a refund. Simply stating that their opinion is the only one that matters and that the customer should have read their terms before bidding is not enough to absolve the auction house of responsibility. Ultimately, if the item was purchased without being seen in person, a refund is well within the customer's rights and this is normally supported in law by the Distance Selling Regulations
Before placing a bid, it is important to thoroughly review all the fine print. If anything seems questionable, it is best to avoid the auction. Request high-resolution images of any item you are considering and inspect them closely before bidding.
And be sure to steer clear of auctions that only allow payment through bank transfer, as this could make it difficult to receive a refund.
In an upcoming blog, we will provide instructions on how to obtain a refund. Stay tuned for more information!
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