Bang the Gavel Auction Service dba Seized Assets Auctioneers

I have left a few messages via phone for Ms***Her purchase is almost months old, and this is the first that we have heard of a
problem, almost months after the purchase (our consignors have already been paid) the fact that she has waited almost (9) months to tell us of a problem is not really reasonableIt appears that Ms*** has been trying to sell the items that she has purchased from the auction to professional jewelry stores who usually try to purchase items from the public at figures well under wholesale and usually for 65% of gold value and they generally do not offer very much for stonesSince we cannot control prices paid or where individuals try to sell their items we clearly publish in our terms and conditions (which are agreed to by the bidders prior to them being accepted as a bidder) that that, we are the auction company, not the appraiser of the itemsOur terms and conditions warn bidders to do their due dillagance prior to bidding as we can obviously not guarantee that she could sell these items for a profit or a loss, since she set the price by bidding at the auctionShe had the benefit of being able to do her research prior to the auction and make her own decision as to how much she wished to bid at the auction Her own appraiser stated that the items were not misrepresentedThat said, we are interested in doing the right thing and we have established a proper protocol for investigating customer complaintsI am hoping that Ms*** will contact me so that I can discuss the options that are available to her
Drew Donen
Seized Assets Auctioneers

Dear Sir or Madam,Please accept this letter in response to the complaint pertaining to the above referenced case Len Parsi1. On November 8, Len Parsi purchased lot # from auction. 2. Len Parsi received the tem via UPS on December
15, 3. The items that Len Parsi won at the auction included pictures and a detailed description4. It’s abundantly clear that Len Parsi knew exactly what he was purchasing and made a conscious decision to purchase the items based on how they were clearly and visually presented.5. It is our contention that the items that Len Parsi received are the exact items that he purchased from the auction.6. SAA Guarantees that items you purchase at our auction will be as described within industry standards to be accurate so far as weights, gold content, clarity, cut and color7. The following disclosure is prominently displayed on the auction page that Len Parsi had to click to agree to prior to bidding on any item in the auction..a. All items are sold AS IS, WHERE IS WITH ALL FAULTSALL SALES ARE FINAL - NO REFUNDS AND NO EXCHANGESWE AND THE CONSIGNOR, AS APPLICABLE, DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSENO WARRANTIES ARE MADE THAT ANY OF THE MERCHANDISE COMPLIES WITH ANYAPPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL RULES, REGULATIONS OR ORDINANCES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVERAll items are available for inquiries prior to biddingWritten and oral descriptions are the opinions of SAA, and should in no way be construed as a guarantee of any kind as to authenticity, age, condition, materials or any other feature of items beingsoldSAA believes to the best of its knowledge that the information presented in any auction has come from reliable sources. However, such information is presented solely for the convenience of the prospective purchasersSAA attempts to catalog every lot correctly and will attempt to point out any defects but will not be responsible or liable for the correctness of the catalog or other descriptions of the lotIt is the responsibility of prospective bidders to examine all items in which they have an interestBy placing a bid, in any capacity, you signify that you have examined the items as fully as you desire and have had the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from SAA that you deem adequateIf you require absolute certainty in all areas of authenticity, and the results of your evaluation leave uncertainty in your mind, do not bid on the lot in questionWe are not affiliated with any government entity and not all of the items sold were seizedItems sold by us are sourced from multiple channels and there are no assurances that any of the items being sold have been seized.b. Seized Assets Auctioneers clearly states its return and refund policy on every item it represents and clearly states the following: “IN THE EVENT THAT YOU REQUEST AND ARE GRANTED BY SAA A RETURN, CANCELLATION, OR REFUND, YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE TO PAY A 15% RESTOCKING FEE BASED ON THE FINAL SALE PRICE (I.ETHE HAMMER PRICE) OF EACH ITEM THAT IS RETURNED PLUS THE ENTIRE BUYER’S PREMIUM FOR EACH ITEM AS WELL AS ALL OF THE SHIPPING/HANDLING CHARGESTHIS MEANS THAT THE RESTOCKING FEE, BUYERS’ PREMIUM AND SHIPPING/HANDLING CHARGES ARE NEVER ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OR RETURN.” Please see the attached Seized Assets Payment and Bidder Agreement which is clearly posted on every page.8. If the customer does not agree to the terms and conditions, they cannot participate in the auction.9. Our terms and conditional are also listed on the detailed listing of each and every item.10. Our terms and conditional are also listed at the time of completing the purchase via credit card.11. Len Parsi contacted us in regards to the items received. Stating there are flaws in the emerald. Under further review; these flaws are clearly visible in the pictures which were shown with the item.12. We offered Len Parsi solutions: 1) He can keep the item; 2) Our customer service department offered to send a call tag to pick up the item and give him SAA Credit (store credit) for the hammer price and the buyer’s premium for the item; or 3) He can return the item at his own expense and it will be subject to our return/refund policy as stated in number 7b above. He can ship the item back to Seized Assets Auctioneers*** *** Road Suite DWestlake Village, CA

","sans-serif">As the auction company, we are very interested in seeing
to it that you get what you pay forWe are not jewelers, rather auctioneers,
which is why we send items to outside appraisersOur job as the auction
company is to maintain an orderly auction for both buyer and sellersWe DO NOT
have any control over the appraiser’s opinions nor the appraisal process, in
order for an appraisal service to qualify to be hired by our company to do
appraisals they must be a non selling, 3rd party, GIA educated
graduate gemologists
We do guarantee that items you purchase at our auction
will be as described within industry standards to be accurate so far as
weights, gold content, clarity, cut and color
Our terms
and conditions clearly state if you are not sure on an item, please don’t bid
on it. When M*** *** won the bid, he
owns the item from our consignor. In an
attempt to satisfy the bidder we did receive the item back from him. We sent the items out to a 2nd
unrelated non selling, 3rd
party, GIA educated graduate gemologists The second report came back
and is consistent with the first report.
We were in contact with the customer; offered a few options and he chose
the refund. We refunded him as per out
terms and conditions. As the auction
house we receive a buyer’s premium for running the auction. This fee is nonrefundable along with the
shipping and handlingWe charged a 15% restocking fee for the consignor. This is also clearly stated in our terms and
conditions
M*** *** may
contact the appraisal to proceed with his claims regarding the appraisals
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

L*** *** attended our live auctions and had to
agree to our terms and conditions in order to participate in our Live
Auction. We have been in contact with Larry and we have resolved the issue to his satisfaction
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

","sans-serif">*** *** attended our live auctions and had to agree
to our terms and conditions in order to participate in our Live Auction. We have been in contact with *** and we
have resolved the issue to her satisfaction
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

Complaint:
I am rejecting this response because: That is 100% falseI had disputed the items with Amex until the situation was resolvedI never authorized Seized Assets to return the items and issue a refund To this day, they still have not provided me with a copy of the third party appraisals, and will not respond to my email, other than "call me"
I have sent numerous emails requesting copies of the new appraisals, and they have not provided them to meI want to see the supposed new appraisals
Regards,
M*** ***

What I am complaining about is the same deceptive practice that countless people on this review website have complained about in the past with SAA. On September 5, 2018 I bid on some items (jewelries such as a watch, bracelet, rings, earrings) with SAA on their website and was sent an invoice. I promptly paid this invoice and my shipment was sent in two batches, the last of which was delivered on September 13, 2018. On receiving the items I noticed that the watch was damaged (it was not working) and took all the items to 3 reputable jewelers in the area to get their opinion on it. I was consistently informed that the items were worth significantly less than what SAA had quoted during the auction process. I then reached out to SAA on September 14 to let them know I was returning all the items. On September 17, 2018, SAA sent me a shipping label to return the items as they said they wanted to follow protocol and have the items inspected. All the items were sent back that week and confirmed to be received by SAA on September 20, 2018.

SAA has been holding on to my money ever since and I have followed up with them via email a couple of times to ask what was going on with my payment without a response. I also raised questions on why the damaged watch that I was sent that was identified as being in "excellent condition" had the same exact pictures, wording and description as another one I accidentally found on another website, that watch was sold a few weeks before my watch was sent but I received no convincing response to that.

Rather on October 9, 2018 the person I spoke to on the phone declined to refund my money saying that the appraisers stood by their original appraisals. This is a well-honed practice that SAA has been engaging in with impunity with many people complaining of these deceptive practice as can be found in numerous reviews by others of this company. SAA should do the right thing and issue a refund of my money.

","sans-serif">Per our terms and conditions, all sales are final. MsH[redacted] agreed to the terms prior to
bidding. However, to resolve this to Ms
H[redacted]'s satisfaction, we reduced the restocking fee and issued a refund
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

","sans-serif">We have attempted to contact M[redacted] with no
success. However, we believe we have
resolved this issue to the customer's satisfaction
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

","sans-serif">MrW[redacted] has asked not to be contactedWe are an
auction environment. All sales are final. That being said, we believe we have resolved
this to MrW[redacted]'s satisfaction
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

","sans-serif">We have contacted MrDave Robb and resolved this issue
to his satisfaction
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

","sans-serif">As the auction company, we are very interested in seeing
to it that you get what you pay forWe are not jewelers, rather auctioneers,
which is why we send items to outside appraisersOur job as the auction
company is to maintain an orderly auction for both buyer and sellersWe DO NOT
have any control over the appraiser's opinions nor the appraisal process, in
order for an appraisal service to qualify to be hired by our company to do
appraisals they must be a non selling, 3rd party, GIA educated
graduate gemologists
We do guarantee that items you purchase at our auction
will be as described within industry standards to be accurate so far as
weights, gold content, clarity, cut and color
Our terms
and conditions clearly state if you are not sure on an item, please don't bid
on it. When [redacted] won the
bid, she owns the item from our consignor.
As the auction house we receive a buyer's premium for running the
auction. This fee is nonrefundable along
with the shipping and handling. In an
attempt to satisfy the bidder we did receive the item back from her. We charged a 15% restocking fee for the
consignor. This is also clearly stated
in our terms and conditions
Sincerely,
Seized
Assets Auctioneers

Dear [redacted],
","sans-serif">As the auction company, we are very interested in seeing
to it that you get what you pay forWe are not jewelers, rather auctioneers,
which is why we send items to outside appraisersOur job as the auction
company is to maintain an orderly auction for both buyer and sellersWe DO NOT
have any control over the appraiser's opinions nor the appraisal process, in
order for an appraisal service to qualify to be hired by our company to do
appraisals they must be a non selling, 3rd party, GIA educated
graduate gemologists
We do guarantee that items you purchase at our auction
will be as described within industry standards to be accurate so far as
weights, gold content, clarity, cut and color
As our
standard protocol; we would issue a call tag to have the item picked up. Once we receive the
item back, we will send the item a second (different) appraisal company which
will also be a fully certified,
non-selling G.I.AGraduate Gemologist. These companies are independent from
us. They do not sell jewelry
so there is no conflict in interest. Their only job is to appraise
jewelry, not sell jewelryIf the second report comes back and is inconsistent
within industry standards of our first appraisal, then the item was not listed
accurately we would give the customer a full refund. If the 2nd report came back and
is consistent with the first report, then the item was listed accurately, we would either
ship the item back to the customer, offer credit towards future auctions with
us, or refund as per our terms and conditions
[redacted] refuses to send the item back to us.
She wants a full refund prior to sending the item back to us; which we cannot
do nor will any company issue a refund prior to receiving the merchandise back. If Leslie wants to proceed with our return policy,
she may contact our customer service department toll free at ###-###-####--Seized Assets Auctioneers

Complaint: 10286255
I am rejecting this response because:
 
It is true, the item is like they described, there is no problem about that. The problem is about the PRICE !!! 
It is imposible to evaluate a gem like a Tanzanite or an Emerald in a picture and there is not an exact grading qualification you can just write in a paper like it is for Diamonds, that is why honest appraisals are needed. 
It is really imposible to determine the quality of a gem like those until you see it. I trusted t in the appraisal but as soon as I got the ring I saw it was not a special piece that worths $7.400, and so I took it to a different  GIA gemologist.
What does this company have some more complains about the appraisals if they are accurate  ?
If they get a percent in the business  they should make sure of what the offer. They do not care about the customers they just care about making money no matter what the seller does.
If the company takes the piece to a GIA gemologist and pay a real appraisal they will find out the piece does´t worth what the seller´s appraisal says. Just talking we can be here for ever, that is why I decides to place a complain because the company does not care about the customers.
Just to give an example, you can find an offer selling a car like this :
Mercedes Benz  2012, E500,  Dark Red, with new tires and post a picture. $ 40.000.
But then when you see the car the engine and may other parts are not in good shape, so the car worths just $28.000. and yes the car car is still what they described
 
Regards,[redacted]

The customer is complaining about cracks in one of the Emeralds, however these are only common “inclusions” and were clearly shown in the pictures at the time of purchase. We do not photoshop any of the gemstones, metals, or items in our pictures because it is important for us to show the exact item the customer will be receiving.  As an auction house we understand the importance of giving accurate and detailed information where ever possible and so we would never purposely omit any information in an effort to “trick” or “deceive” the customer.  As we are sure the customer knows there are many different levels of color, clarity, size, and cuts in gemstones.  If the Emeralds that Mr. Parsi purchased didn’t have the inclusions as shown in the pictures, the same Emerald earrings could sell for 40-50 times the amount that the customer paid for the item. In addition even though our terms and conditions state all items are sold as-is, where is and all sales were final, we always try and do our best to keep the customers happy wherever possible and so we offered the customer the full amount of the purchase as a credit for future use with us, in addition to 2 other options, however the customer was still not satisfied with the solutions offered.

In addition to our previous response, we do not have any control over the
appraiser’s opinions nor the appraisal process. 
Seized Assets Auctioneers sends item out to an independent
third party for Retail Replacement Value Appraisals, which are the most common
type of appraisal. These types of evaluations are written for insurance needs.
This would be the cost to replace the jewelry with an item of equal quality and
kind, considered to be the current market price or the replacement value. This
type of appraisal is done to protect you in the event of damage or loss of a
valuable item. Our appraisals are conducted by independent 3rd Party appraisal
firms that utilizes Certified GIA Gemologist. Appraisals should be used for
verification of gemstone and/or metal weight, size, and grade only, not actual
value.
As per our
terms and conditions, we cannot and do not have any control as it pertains to
the values that the appraisers put into their appraisals and therefore cannot
and do not get involved nor guarantee the appraisers opinion of values either
up or down.  This is in our terms and conditions that you must agree to
prior to being accepted as a bidder and at time of payment.  We clearly advise you to do your own research
with regards to the values prior to biding. You may rest assured however that
you may rely upon the appraisers statements as to the weights, gold content,
clarity, cut and color to be accurate within industry standards.
Sincerely,
Seized Assets
Auctioneers

I am rejecting this response because:  The appraisal that was provided by your appraiser was so inflated to the point of being fraudulent in regards to any insurance company or claim resulting from its loss as is witnessed by my own appraisal from a reputable local jeweler.  I will not be responsible for the 20% of the gavel price in order to return the ring to get a refund because the so called appraisal that was provided by your company. I will reluctantly pay the restocking fee of 15% but no more.
Regards,
[redacted]

As stated by the Business. We have now received the Customers ring back from a fourth appraiser. This is an appraiser we have never used before, Gemassure Geological Appraisals.  All appraisals were paid for by the Seized Assets Auctioneers, the auction house, at no expense to the Customer. All four appraisals have come back consistent within industry standards as to cut, color, clarity, and weight. The Customer purchased an item that was accurately represented as verified by all four appraisals. We have made every attempt, in good faith, to address the Customer‘s concerns. The item purchased was as represented. After speaking with the Customer on 10/14/15, she has stated she does not want the ring. Per our terms and conditions, Seized Assets Auctioneers will be charging the Customer the restocking fee and the buyer’s premium and Seized Assets Auctioneers will refund the remaining balance. Thank You. Seized Assets Auctioneers

As Stated by the Business. We are sending out the Customer’s item for a fourth appraisal to validate the item was as represented when she made her winning bid.
Roman', serif;"> She was informed of this today buy our customer service department.
Bang the Gavel, Inc.

Seized Assets Auctioneers does not have their own
appraisers.  Seized Assets Auctioneers
uses independent, non-selling, 3rd party, GIA educated graduate
gemologists.
We do guarantee that items purchased at auction will be
as described within industry standards to be accurate so far as weights, gold
content, clarity, cut and color.
Ms. [redacted]
has not been able to demonstrate that the items are not as described.  Our terms and conditions clearly state if you
are not sure on an item, please don’t bid on it.  When Ms. [redacted] won the bid, she owns the
item from our consignor.  As the auction
house we receive a buyer’s premium for running the auction.  This fee is nonrefundable along with the shipping
and handling.  In an attempt to satisfy
the bidder we did receive the item back from her.  We charged a 15% restocking fee for the
consignor.  This is also clearly stated
in our terms and conditions.
Sincerely,
 
Seized
Assets Auctioneers