Pristine Auction

I was very excited when I first found Pristine Auction. That unfortunately changed very quickly and it has escalated to the point that I spoke with my attorney today who specializes in class action lawsuits and he is looking into the situation. My first order was won on August 16th. I paid immediately. I did not understand the invoice and had to speak to someone a few times. I buy and sell mostly music memorabilia and had bought two David Garibaldi Paintings and a few other items. I still have not received the Garibaldi Paintings from August 16th and they were not shipped out until I called Pristine and said He (They were being shipped from Garibaldi not Pristine) Made a shipping label but never sent it out. I had a client who those were for and one was a surprise for his wife birthday. Well I lost the sale and one of my best clients because when I spoke to Pristine they said the items are shipped out in 5-7 biz days. Well these were shipped in 12 - 14 biz days and would probably still be sitting there if I didn't say hey WTH is going on.
During this time before I realized this was going to cause me more headaches, problems and cost me my very good client who has spent tens of thousands with me over the years I bought a few more things and then one day I won 15 items. I was super excited but once again I did some research. Several items I purchased were Rock and Roll Themed Pictures and Artwork that had retail prices listed at double or more then I paid. My excitement turned to anger when I looked up the artists and they themselves are selling their own pieces on their own websites and all have eBay stores of their own selling for 50-75% of the "RETAIL PRICE" advertised by Pristine. It was at that point that I said to myself I need help with this. So last night I chatted with someone and said listen I have already paid for 2 orders and I am so disgruntled by the shipping issue, losing a client and the false advertising of price that I am proposing that you send me the 2nd order that I was holding to combine shipping rates and cancel my third order as it has not been paid for and after everything I have been through I do not want it. I can't compete with the artists themselves and I morally can't sell something to one of my clients that they can go home and google and find out I am charging them a lot more then going to the artists site or eBay store. You see I am honest with my clients and I trusted the advertised price that Pristine was FALSLY ADVERTISING!
The girl I spoke with said I am sorry but you will have to pay or we will automatically charge your card. I said are you serious? I don't even want the crap your sending me but figured I paid for it and just send it and I will try to make amends to my client over a week after her surprise Bday Party. While it sat in some warehouse with a label printed and someone just didn't ship it.

So after speaking with my attorney who is one of the best class action lawyers in the country, he said let me look into it tomorrow. So tonight I was watching the auction as the last order I won (Doesn't feel like winning) was a signed Darth Vader Framed Piece and I was up to like $125 when someone chimes in and types the minimum bid is $155 if you bid $155 you will probably win it. Well tonight someone won it for $72.45 Seventy Two Dollars and forty five cents when I was coerced to buy it for the Minimum of $155. Are you Fking Serious. Excuse my french but this is absolute BS. You Got Me Once, You Got Me Twice, You Got Me Three Times but in the end we shall see who gets who... See you in court.

I tried to settle this by talking to your people but that didn't happen so unfortunately it comes down to making this right or taking it to court and I am sure there will be many many people that will benefit from your false advertising, fake minimums and not taking any responsibility for anything.

GOOD DAY SIR!

Hi,Thank you very much for your response.  I agree with you that there is nothing w[redacted]g with reserve auctions and these are a normal part of a bidding process.  This issue that I have is the way that the reserve bids are presented. On Pristine Auction, if you bid on a reserve auction, it is impossible to tell whether you are bidding against another individual or pristine auction.  This is because a bid is placed by Pristine Auction that is one bidding increment higher than the current highest bid.  This is misleading; instead of stating "reserve not met" like on eBay, it appears that another person is bidding on the auction when in fact it is just the reserve system being presented as additional bids.  I have seen other complaints online about this system being very misleading as well. It would be great if you could make this system more transparent in demonstrating that there are not other bidders when it is just the reserve mechanism bidding to drive up the price.If you would be willing to make an exception to cancel this purchase, that would be appreciated.Thanks,[redacted]

James,The price listed is the raw Beckett Value. Beckett is considered the leading authority in the market for the value of sports cards. However, the pricing is simply a guideline and the actual sale price can vary drastically for various reasons (including the condition of the card). Each auction...

includes a high resolution scan of the front and back of the card in order to ensure that the condition is well represented. Here is a link to the auction in question: https://pristineauction.com/auction/index/details/id/734077/1959-Topp...⇄ an auction, items that are delivered as represented are not returnable. However, if you feel that the card you received does not match what is represented in the listing, please e-mail our customer service team to [email protected] or by phone 602-626-5218 and we would be happy to help.

Our customer service team is actively engaged in working this issue out. We received the first notice from you on 2/7 and replied on 2/9 beginning the conversation towards a resolution. Our team received a high volume of inquiries and has not yet been able to read and reply to your e-mail from 2/10...

but this will be forwarded to management to expedite this for you. We would appreciate a reasonable amount of time to resolve an issue before opening a formal complaint with the Revdex.com. Thank you for your business and patience.

We have been in regular communication with [redacted] as we work on a solution to the concern. This is an ongoing issue, but the evidence now is showing that the images of the ball sent to us was NOT the ball that our approved vender shipped to him. This lot was an auction purchase so, per the...

user agreement, it is not returnable. We are working with our vender to ensure that the customer receives exactly what was described.

Our customer service manager called and left a voicemail on 2/15 in an attempt to further resolve this. Please call us back at ###-###-####

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait until for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
William T[redacted]

When registering for our auction, a bidder agrees to the terms in our user agreement. As part of that agreement, the bidder gives Pristine Auction permission to charge the card on file for an auction invoice if the invoice has not been paid within 7 days. This is a necessary policy because of our...

commitment to getting our consignors paid within an agreed period of time. The auction policies are agreed to upon sign up of the auction as well as with every bid placed. Policies can be found here: [redacted]

When our staff picked up the sports memorabilia collection from [redacted], there was never a guarantee made that the items would be posted for sale before Christmas. We verbally made it clear that we would do what we could to get the items up as quickly as possible, but that listing them before Christmas would be unlikely. Unfortunately, we were not able to do that because of the amount of consigned items submitted before [redacted]'s collection. In addition, many of the items in [redacted]'s collection required third party authentication which slows down the process.In addition to being clear about our policies verbally, [redacted] also signed a written contract with us which partially states: #1: "Lots will be offered... with no reserve price" and #8: "Consignment items may not be withdrawn...". The entire contract presented to and signed by [redacted] can be viewed here: [redacted]The actual contract hand-signed by [redacted] is available for viewing if desired.[redacted] has shown no integrity toward the contract that he signed. After communicating that items would have no reserve prices verbally and in writing, [redacted] then demanded reserve prices on nearly every lot consigned. It was communicated that most of the reserve prices were significantly above a fair market value and that the addition of the reserves were in violation of the agreement, but [redacted] continued to demand the addition of reserve prices. In an effort to please [redacted], as our customer, we fulfilled his request and added the reserves. [redacted] later demanded, clearly in violation of our agreement, that all of his items be pulled from the auction and returned to him. The demands turned into threats and, in our best interest, we chose, again against the terms of our signed agreement, to cut our losses in this business relationship and part ways. We have returned all lots to [redacted] and consider this matter closed.[redacted] continues to claim that we have not provided accounting for the authentication fees that he incurred. The accounting is available through his account pages on our website. Furthermore, I personally offered to print out all of the account (which can also be accessed online) and [redacted] did not accept that offer. The discounted rates offered on the authentication fees are only offered for items that are consigned to the auction. Being that [redacted] violated the contract and pulled the items from auction, there should be an additional charge for the authentication service provided. However, once again went above and beyond by not charging [redacted] these authentication fees.The terms of our contact are clear and [redacted] showed a complete lack of integrity towards the agreement. We are happy to part ways and consider this matter closed. We certainly wish [redacted] well and hope that he can find a way to obtain the unreasonable prices that he is looking to get for his collection.

The 30% restocking fee is part of the user agreement. This is a necessary charge in order for us to maintain the integrity of the auction. Our customer service team made Mr. [redacted] well aware of this charge before it was assessed and gave the option to pay for the item bid on. We have confirmed the...

identity of account multiple ways. First, the account was not open for bidding until the registered e-mail address and Mr. [redacted]'s phone number was first verified. We have communicated directly with Mr. [redacted] after the item was won at auction both on the confirmed e-mail address and the confirmed phone number. In addition, we record the IP address used with every action taken on our website. The IP address used to open the account and confirm it is the same IP address used to place the bids on the item in question. Given the multiple pieces of evidence, we have complete confidence that this item was bid on and won by Mr. [redacted]. The restocking fee was assessed in accordance with the user agreement. The restocking fee was paid and we consider this matter closed. Per Mr. [redacted]'s request, the account has been blocked from placing any future bids.

First I would like to state and request that you change your tone. I'm very familiar with auction houses such as Steiner whom I've purchased countless genuine items from and never had a complaint or problem. Secondly, after the lnitial time ran the item went into extending bidding for (10) minutes and ran down to the end again whereby at the end of that ten minute time it reset for an additional (10) minutes whereby it ended at the purchase price of $93.32 and charged to my account. Nevertheless, after countless attempts to get in touch with someone from your company, I finally had the opportunity to speak with Breanna, from your customer service department who worked out an agreement with me as follows: My account would be officially closed effective immediately and any items remain or pending in my account after completion of auction time which where the following:   1. Joe Torre baseball item# [redacted]; 2. Mike Richer Ranger mask item [redacted]; 3. Joe Torre baseball item# [redacted]; 4. Joe Torre baseball item# [redacted]; 5. Derek Jeter baseball item# [redacted]; 6. Paul O'Neil baseball item# [redacted]; 7. Derek Jeter rookie photo item# [redacted]. would assess a re-stocking fee of (30) percent of the final cost for the item left in my account. Further the other items under invoice numbers [redacted] and [redacted] which have been paid in full will be shipped to me.

New accounts need to be verified before they are open for bidding. In review, I show that your account is fully verified. There was an IT error that wasn't allowing your account to bid, but I resolved that for you. You can login and place bids whenever you are ready! Thank you for your business and...

thank you for your patience! If you have any other questions or concerns please e-mail us to [redacted] or call our office at [redacted]

I have not received any responses to my original email.

There was a problem with me up loading my rejection response to the merchant Pristine Auction. I called and spoke with a Revdex.com Arizona representative that explain to me since I am unsuccessful with trying on 3 different occasions to upload and respond in the amount of time giving to me from your...

bureau, that you will be able to upload this email rebuttal along with the photo attachments to support by rebuttal/claim. The representative stated that she will notate my records to make you aware of this issue. I am also having problems sending emails from my [redacted] but I can receive emails and I was told that it was fine for me to send this rebuttal from this email address. Can you please respond to let me know that you have successfully received this rebuttal along with the attachments to support my claim so I can know that you have successfully uploaded my rebuttal?:If the Revdex.com look further into the facts that I pointed out such as the fact that Steiner Sports do not have the Legal Authority to deem a signature or Game Used item as Authentic.  For example, if I get an item signed by a athlete and take it to Steiner to get it authenticated, Steiner can't  legally authenticate the item.  Steiner must take that item to a Lico authenticator such as JSA whom they do use, PSA/DNA, or Beckett.This is why I am asking for my 30% restocking fee of $450 to be refunded to me, because the item in question cannot be, or has not been Legally authenticated as "Game Used".  Pristine Auction was very vague in their description of what they was auctioning off and they did not get me the proper information that I requested to Verify that the item was Authenticated Game Used by MLB. If you look at the MLB hologram number, it only validate the autograph ONLY and not "Game Used"!  The only thing that Pristine Auction have to say that  this item is Game Used, is a card from Steiner Sports who is not Legally authorized to issue that opinion. Anyone that has an item that is considered game used always look for the MLB hologram which will state that the item is game used and the details of that game. You can go to MLB.com and put in hologram # JB096817 to confirm this cleat is from a signing only.  Since Steiner sports cannot Legally give their opinion on a signature or if an item is game used, that the Revdex.com make a decision based on the facts. The cleat for all I know could be game issued which is different from game used  or Derek Jeter could have used this cleat for practice, which is not game used.  One of your selling points on this item was game used and there is no one that verifies that this item was game used. Maybe you should ask Steiner sports to take it to a Legal company that is legally qualified to give their opinion such as JSA, whom Steiner uses to Authenticate item(s) for them since they are not Legally able to. If more information or attachment is needed I can supply that. I just asked that you speak to MLB if needed But I am asking you to please look at the fax at Steiner sports have no Legal Authority to Authenticate any memorabilia in anyway. I beg of you to look into that fact. Thank you for your time and patience.

Per our posted auction policies, an item can be removed from auction at any time. It is rare that an item is pulled from auction once the auction has started; however, it can happen for a couple of different reasons. After review, the lot in question (lot #[redacted]) was pulled based off of a previous...

bidder fulfilling their obligation to pay for the lot. Based upon the timeline, a winning bidder has 14 days to pay for a lot before that lot is relisted for sale in the auction. The bidder then has 7 additional days before the lot is forfeited and they are no longer permitted to pay for that lot. If the previous bidder pays for the lot before that time expires, they are awarded the lot and the relisted lot is cancelled. That is what happened in this case. The lot in question was cancelled due to payment from the previous winning bidder and that was done early on in the process of the item being re-auctioned. As for accounts being restricted, it is our policy to restrict accounts after 5 days of non-payment on an invoice. At that point, payment on the unpaid invoice would be required before new bids can be placed. We do give an option at checkout to hold an invoice to combine shipping with future invoices in an effort to keep shipping costs to a minimum and to allow multiple invoices to be combined.If there are any other questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me directly to [redacted] or give us a call at the office at ###-###-####. Thank you for your business and thank you for your patience.

We also would encourage the Revdex.com to look into the facts about Steiner Sports' authority to authenticate signature. Once again, Derek J[redacted] is their exclusive athlete. They handle his autographs and memorabilia directly. Any reputable source in the autograph industry will confirm that there is no authenticity concern with Steiner Sports, especially when it comes to their Derek J[redacted] memorabilia. From our perspective, this seems like a buyer's remorse situation. As an auction, we cannot allow bidders to bid on and win an item and then not complete the purchase. Allowing that to happen would completely destroy the integrity of the auction. We have monetary losses as well as potential lost business from our consignors when items go unpaid which is why our user agreement calls for a 30% restocking fee for auction items left unpaid. This was clearly communicated to the customer on multiple occasions. In this case, we are happy to make an exception and reinstate the forfeited purchase. if not, the restocking fee is valid and is due.

To provide some possible solutions - We would be happy to sell the card for you at auction under the standard consignment terms. In addition, we would like to extend an offer of a $20 credit towards your next purchase in good will since you are unhappy with the card. Unfortunately, allowing returns in an auction format for items delivered as described destroys the integrity of an auction.

This issue was escalated to our customer service manager who did assist. She reviewed and confirmed the information already provided in the last response. We have to consider the evidence at hand which shows that this account was opened with all of your proper information. The account was not activated for bidding until your e-mail address (which we have communicated on directly) and your phone number (which you called us directly from on 6/2). If we allow bidders to win items and not pay, we destroy the integrity of the auction. In addition, we have monetary losses as well as potential loss of business from our consignors when bidders win items and don't pay. The 30% restocking fee was assessed in accordance with the user agreement.

Revdex.com:I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.The seller's choice of words is unacceptable.  It shows his attitude towards customer service.  The pictures of the additional helmets were of lessor quality than the one which he shipped me, which was lessor quality than the one I purchased from him (he used a 'stock' photo of a great helmet, and then shipped a different helmet)...so yes, I did not find this option acceptable.  The seller did offer to have me return the product for a full refund.  I rejected that option for 2 reasons.  First reason is trust...he mislead me originally and I did not feel I could trust him to pay me back and I didn't want more hassle with him and the credit card company, etc.  The second reason for not accepting that offer is that I wanted a [redacted] football helmet, and this seemed to be as good as it was going to get...so I refused the complete refund option.  The SELLER was the one to initiate a partial refund while letting me keep the helmet.  In his Revdex.com response, he's making it sound like I was demanding something that he was not willing to do, when in fact, he started it.  He offered me a low $$ as a partial refund and demanded that I remove or amend any negative feedback I have left on his page in my review.  I counter offered with a $$ that was reasonable in my mind...the difference between what I paid for the great helmet, and the average selling price of the helmet he shipped me.  It wasn't until I told him I was going to submit a formal complaint to my credit card company and the Revdex.com that he came back and asked how we could work this out.  I told him my offer still stands and he countered that offer with the same price, and the removal of any negative feedback, and to agree no to post any future comments and to not do business with them again.  I agreed.  I consider this claim resolved and closed, however, I would like other consumers to be aware of the fact that he uses stock photos and does not ship what you think you purchased and, on top of the buying price, is a buyer's premium that you pay the auction house, and they you are responsible for any shipping charges that he does not collect for up front.  So beware and be ready for any surprises.Regards,[redacted]

[redacted],We would need more information in regards to what you are referencing. Everything offered in our auction comes with highly reputable authentication. In review of your account, we show that you purchased a Kobe Bryant jersey which included a PSA COA (Lot #[redacted]), 2 Dak...

Preskott Signed Cowboys jerseys which both included JSA COas (Lot #[redacted] & Lot #[redacted]) and an Ezekiel Elliott signed Cowboys jersey with a JSA COA (Lot #[redacted]). These authentication companies are the most trusted in the hobby and are recognized as legitimate by any major auction house. We are completely confident in the authenticity of these jerseys and request that you research this further. With proper research, we are confident that you will be completely satisfied that what you purchased is 100% authentic.