Boltonauction Reviews 8

I have been buying & selling at auctions in the UK for 40+ years; this is the 1st time an auction house sold my goods, and refused to pay me what is legally mine
They sold my goods, got paid for them, and simply refused to pay me, the excuses are laughable; buyer didn’t pay, we’re still waiting for payment, then they changed their story into: your item never sold in the first place, we will put up for sale at the next sale, then they didn’t, sorry we forgot, next sale, next sale, and the one after that, on and on the lies went; 8 months, and I haven’t yet got paid. Their reputation must be in the toilet if they only have as little as 40 item per sale whereas: within 2 square miles of where they are, trust-worthy auction houses would have as much as 1000-2500 items per sale.
Up to us buyers and sellers to force them to stop these dishonest practices!
I’m giving them one more chance, then I’m taking them to court

Item was packaged with minimal consideration for it surviving the post. Box was too large for the vase and the bubble wrap within was a token gesture, not intended to stop it getting damaged. Item arrived in many pieces not as originally designed. The two representatives on the phone were both dismissive before the senior rep put the phone down on me, repeating that there's no refunds for damage in transit. If you can't collect from the auction house and the item you purchase is in any way fragile and important to you, go elsewhere as their business model is to take your money with zero consideration that the item will arrive to you in one piece. Wish I had looked at the other reviews first but the item was one of a pair that an elderly friend had been looking for decades until it turned up at the Bolton auction, only to have it arrived smashed to bits. If it happens to you, use the dispute option with your bank to try and get your money back. Ignore the positive reviews of this company as they were written by the company reps themselves. Shouldn't be trading. I would give no stars but that's not possible.

Bolton Auction is a great auction to visit!
Excellent service and weekly auctions unlike some that hold auctions monthly or less!
I would like to place on record how disappointed I was to read Trustpilot s incorrect reviews/ comments and ratings for Bolton Auction Rooms! Get your facts right please ! This auctions room is open Monday to Friday and for viewing at weekends.

On 6th November 2023 I bought an "Alfred Hitchcock Signed Cunard Menu April 1959" (exactly as described in their online catalogue). To ensure it was authentic I rang Bolton Auction Rooms Before the auction and asked to speak to the proprietor Harry Howcroft. The member of staff went to tell him I was on the phone, but she came back and said he was "busy" and could she help. I told her I wanted to be totally sure this signature was authentic or I would Not bid. Her reply was " Oh Yes, it's definitely fine - Harry is 100% happy it is genuine - he knows the vendor". So I then bid and won the item for a total cost of £150 including commission. Two different signature authentication companies later told me it was definitely a FAKE. I rang to return it and asked for a full refund. These despicable people at Bolton Auction Rooms then started prevaricating, blustering, making excuses, or totally ignoring me - and used their pathetic "10 day return rule" and said there was no "COA" with the signature, - so basically it was my hard luck - "buyer beware" they said!!!! Of course it took me longer than 10 days to attempt to have the signature authenticated - which it is NOT my place to do in the first place - it is the *Sellers* responsibility to ensure the signature they are selling is genuine - NOT the buyers!!! I approached another auctioneers (a reputable one this time) to ask their opinion, and they said they would have refunded me immediately without question - morally and ethically they could do nothing else as I had actually been assured it was Genuine!!! DO NOT DEAL WITH BOLTON AUCTION ROOMS - EITHER TO BUY OR SELL. They have Zero morals and ethics and treat their unsuspecting customers APPALLINGLY. They do not care AT ALL for anyone except themselves, and making money out of people. The other reviews confirm this. BOLTON AUCTION ROOMS YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. You have cheated me out of £150. As far as nasty sarcastic replies are concerned (which I would expect from these kind of people). BRING IT ON.

Do not trust the people that run this auction room.
They only have their own interests in mind and will NOT do what they say. I left items with them to go separately into auction. The items were lumped together with some of them missing four months after leaving them.

I had a an awful experience with this auction house, and with Alan especially. Not only was my credit card charged twice (which they supposedly didn’t notice and joked about, and we are talking about over 1100 pounds or $1500 US), but my items were not as described, shipping was delayed multiple times with a myriad of excuses...and the VAT that was promised to be refunded never was. Many emails never received a response, I was forced to call overseas multiple times, and after my patience finally was wearing thing I did the legwork and told them the form they needed as they supposedly didn’t have one. Still no refund. So, I finally left a review stating I had a frustrating experience...and wouldn’t you know! Suddenly a quick response....a vindictive one but I finally got a reply. Rather than wanting to make things right with me Alan sent me a sarcastic and snarky, unprofessional message saying he wasn’t going to refund my VAT because I wrote the review. Apparently, customers are expected to accept unprofessional treatment and not say a word. Well, sorry...I will be sharing my experience with colleagues and others so that they know what they might expect from this business. And I’ll still get my VAT the roundabout way...so, it’s the auction house who has lost here.

Steer clear is my advice, and work instead with one of the other professional and friendly auction houses in the U.K.

AND BY THE WAY, THE REVIEW BELOW BY Alan H is the director of the auction house leaving himself a review. Which I have reported.

I love this place, friendly staff, amazing place with a great atmosphere. 100% recommended