After showing a lack of professionalism, failure to account for items sold at auction and at an onsite estate sale dating back to October 2019, together with the failure to return phone calls I recommend that no one use the services of either Peachtree & Bennett Galleries, LLC and its sister company, Companies Estate Sales, LLC. I have filed complaints with both the Better Business Bureau and the Georgia Auctioneer Licensing Commission and my attorney has sent a demand letter for an accounting to both entities. Frankly I do not understand how both companies are allowed to stay in business and why their principals have not been arrested for stealing.
By customer
Do NOT use these people if you ever…
Do NOT use these people if you ever want to see your money!! We left several items with them that they said would be auctioned in late July/early August, when we were moving out of the country I have been calling and e-mailing them now for five months. They will not return my emails or calls, and have not remitted our funds. We are now forced to seek legal action, as well as to make a formal complaint to the Georgia Secretary of State!
By Ted
A WARNING TO INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS TO HELP AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT USING PEACHTREE & BENNETT
On Saturday 6th Jan 2017, I requested approval on an auction that was taking place at Peachtree & Bennett on Sunday 7th Jan 2018. During the afternoon of Sunday, I had to call Peachtree & Bennett in Atlanta, a total of six times from the UK in order that I was approved to bid on an important item that I really wanted and watched for a while. With thirty minutes to spare, I was approved.
Under the watchful eye of my friend, for whom I was bidding on his behalf, on lot 22, then the bid went to $1000 again I bid. Within a millisecond the status went to sold.
Ordinarily, with an auction it states “Fair Warning” three times before an item is sold, which my friend also witnessed with disbelief, this has been verbally confirmed by Invaluable. Also I have previously used the Invaluable platform and successfully won using their process.
I called the auction house immediately because I presumed there was an error and acted quickly as I wanted to continue with the bidding. I was told it had been sold and they would have to call me back.
I looked at the history of the bidding through my Invaluable account and sure enough the log showed three people including myself were the last three bids, mine being the only one that was not accepted.
After waiting an hour I had to chase up again through calling, only to be told I would have to wait until the lady I was talking with could speak with the Auctioneer and would promised to return my call.
At 10:30 pm UK time I called the auction house again in Atlanta, no one answered. After a short time, Garry, from the customer services department finally called back and said there was nothing he could do because the item had been sold.
As a first time client of Peachtree & Bennett, and my first time bidding with them and holding high expectations, these were w=swiftly crushed in a huge blow of disappointment.
This has totally destroyed my faith in Invaluable serving as a platform host to allow international bidding.
Having spoke with Invaluable today, they advised there is nothing they can do.
There has been no addressing of this issue from either side.
Where is the Customers Welfare Protection regarding online bidding?? Its all one-sided!!!
A word of warning to people who are thinking of bidding internationally, especially using this auction house, THINK AGAIN. I would hate for anyone else to go through this stress.
Maybe Peachtree & Bennett can afford not to earn more commission from items that could be sold at a greater price, however, have they considered the Seller may have liked more money. I was more than willing to pay a lot more for lot 22.
SHAME ON PEACHTREE & BENNETT FOR ALSO LOSING A POTENTIAL LARGER PROFIT FOR YOUR CLIENT THAT CHOSE TO SELL THROUGH YOUR AUCTION HOUSE SUCH A PRICELESS ITEM!!!!!
