Hello - The individual filing the complaint registered for and participated in our U.S. Treasury Department online auction. Upon registration, he agreed to the sale terms, which included paying for items in full within the time specified. The complaintant will be referred to as...
"Buyer". Buyer was the successful bidder on one of the three items he submitted bids on. For the two items he was not successful on, he received "Outbid" notices, which gave him opportunity to bid again prior to the auction closing. For the one item he was successful on, just following the end of the sale, he received a "Successful Bid/Payment" email which instructed him to make payment within 48 hours.Buyer was confused about the notices he received, so he contacted our office by phone and was told that he was not successful on two of the items, but was on the third, and that he needed to make payment according to the email notice, which was within 48 hours. Payment was not received, and when given a reminder email notice two days later, he was given a courtesy payment extension.Both email and voice communication was established with Buyer. 7 emails in total and at least three phone calls. The final communication gave the buyer until close of business the following day to have the funds be in our bank, which was the latest they could be accepted and transferred to the government agency. The funds were not received at our bank until the following morning after the deadline, and therefore were sent back to the auction participant.I personally called the Buyer, and respectfully spent over 30 minutes listening to and explaining all emails that were sent, and the terms of sale. In addition, I appologized for the final result, but informed him that there was nothing that could be done at that time, and that he would have opportunity to bid on the item again in the next upcoming government sale. My comments were only met with threats and accusations. Regretfully, even with the courtesy extension of payment, which was granted because of his initial confusion, the Buyer was clearly in default of the sale terms. Below is a timeline of events.12/12/17: Buyer sent (3) emails. Two for being outbid on two items, and one for being the successful bidder on one item. This email contained payment information including that payment must be received by Thursday, 12/14./12/12/17: Buyer called our office and it was confirmed that he was not successful at bidding on two lots, but was on one lot.12/15/17: Email notice was sent to Buyer asking when payment can be expected. Buyer stated he still didn't know he was a successful bidder. He was told that he was and that payment was due.12/18/17: In the morning, Buyer confirmed via email that he was to make payment. He was given until the following day 12/19 close of business.12/19/17: Payment was not in our bank, and the sale was closed. No additional payments were accepted.12/20/17: We received notice from our bank that payment has arrived. The bank was instructed to return funds. An email notice was sent to Buyer notifying him of the action.12/21/17: I spoke with Buyer at length after he has contacted a coworker complaining of the end result of the transaction.Thank you for your consideration.
Hello - The individual filing the complaint registered for and participated in our U.S. Treasury Department online auction. Upon registration, he agreed to the sale terms, which included paying for items in full within the time specified. The complaintant will be referred to as...
"Buyer". Buyer was the successful bidder on one of the three items he submitted bids on. For the two items he was not successful on, he received "Outbid" notices, which gave him opportunity to bid again prior to the auction closing. For the one item he was successful on, just following the end of the sale, he received a "Successful Bid/Payment" email which instructed him to make payment within 48 hours.Buyer was confused about the notices he received, so he contacted our office by phone and was told that he was not successful on two of the items, but was on the third, and that he needed to make payment according to the email notice, which was within 48 hours. Payment was not received, and when given a reminder email notice two days later, he was given a courtesy payment extension.Both email and voice communication was established with Buyer. 7 emails in total and at least three phone calls. The final communication gave the buyer until close of business the following day to have the funds be in our bank, which was the latest they could be accepted and transferred to the government agency. The funds were not received at our bank until the following morning after the deadline, and therefore were sent back to the auction participant.I personally called the Buyer, and respectfully spent over 30 minutes listening to and explaining all emails that were sent, and the terms of sale. In addition, I appologized for the final result, but informed him that there was nothing that could be done at that time, and that he would have opportunity to bid on the item again in the next upcoming government sale. My comments were only met with threats and accusations. Regretfully, even with the courtesy extension of payment, which was granted because of his initial confusion, the Buyer was clearly in default of the sale terms. Below is a timeline of events.12/12/17: Buyer sent (3) emails. Two for being outbid on two items, and one for being the successful bidder on one item. This email contained payment information including that payment must be received by Thursday, 12/14./12/12/17: Buyer called our office and it was confirmed that he was not successful at bidding on two lots, but was on one lot.12/15/17: Email notice was sent to Buyer asking when payment can be expected. Buyer stated he still didn't know he was a successful bidder. He was told that he was and that payment was due.12/18/17: In the morning, Buyer confirmed via email that he was to make payment. He was given until the following day 12/19 close of business.12/19/17: Payment was not in our bank, and the sale was closed. No additional payments were accepted.12/20/17: We received notice from our bank that payment has arrived. The bank was instructed to return funds. An email notice was sent to Buyer notifying him of the action.12/21/17: I spoke with Buyer at length after he has contacted a coworker complaining of the end result of the transaction.Thank you for your consideration.