Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Cole on August 2, 2009 at 2:50am

How does it work with other collectibles? If a charity auctions a piece of art, are they held accountable for authenticity?

Permalink Reply by roger epperson on August 2, 2009 at 5:39am

in my feelings i say yes. they are representing that any item they sell are authentic so they should do thier homework. celebitites used to donate items to charities but with more and more charities donations are harder to get so they go to second hand markets to get items. these second hand market dealers need to be researched. more later.....

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Cole on August 2, 2009 at 12:15pm

It seems to me that the auction is functioning as a "reseller," and would be liable for the claims it makes about the products. But I wonder how it plays out in reality. For example, if a charity auctions off a new car, and the car is a lemon, wouldn't responsibility for correcting the problem revert to the donating dealership?

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 6, 2009 at 5:43pm

If the auction doesn't state that auction lots are sold as-is I can't imagine they wouldn't be responsible for a refund. But I've never held an auction so I don't know the law. But there are a lot of charities unknowingly selling highly questionnable autographs—ones experts I trust and I consider forgeries—and I think they're in for a hard lesson someday.

Permalink Reply by Steve on August 25, 2009 at 12:14pm

YES most items go for some big amounts. When you pay that kind of money you are expecting it to be real otherwise why would you even buy it? Especially in these rough economic times. If people dont feel that they got there moneys worth then they wont come back for the next one.

Permalink Reply by JOEL BRIER on August 25, 2009 at 1:05pm

I THINK MOST DO YOU MAYT PAY MORE BUT IF YOU DO THE RESEARCH AND MAKE SURE THE SIGNERS ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE CHARITY YOU CAN USUALLY VALIDATE THE SIGNING AND FIND SOME GREAT STUFF!

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 23, 2009 at 9:53pm

Joel,

There are some good companies that supply charities, but most of the companies we've seen that supply charity auctions supply autographs we think are forgeries. Now if the charity gets the autographs for free direct from the celebrities themselves, that's a different story.

Permalink Reply by roger epperson on September 24, 2009 at 5:03am

i agree, that would put the responibilty on the celebrity not the auction house.

Permalink Reply by DC on August 26, 2009 at 4:59am

I believe that any seller of a product who is ethical has a level of responsibility to ensure that any item they represent is authentic. However that being said, most auction houses are only required to perform "due dilligence" which means their level of checking provenance could amount to a simple phone call to "their contracted expert" or worse an online search for similar pieces for comparison. In any event its the buyers responsibility to check each piece to the best of their ability, and only buy with the condition that the item maybe returned within a specific time frame FOR ANY REASON of dissatisfaction. Credible auction houses do allow you an inspection period, however they may still charge the buyers premium even on a return, unless "acceptable" proof the item to be false is provided to their satisfaction.