LRDG Pith

[lifeochil]

When the scam no longer works it's easier to just accept the items back.

[Mike H]

Excellent news Sean.
I wonder where they will resurface for sale next ?

[manchesters]

Their next sale is now on line.

Plenty of Special Forces and SS 'rare' badges

regards

[seanhath]

Originally Posted by Mike H

Excellent news Sean.
I wonder where they will resurface for sale next ?

Wouldn't it be a great thing if we could trust the auction house to destroy the items they know to be fake, and seek their own restorative measures with the vendors?

Chance would be a fine thing!


Sean

[popskipa]

Good news Sean,

I would encourage everyone who unintentionally purchases fakes at auction to return them for refund. The more people who do this the better. It may persuade the auctioneer to be more careful with their descriptions and make them wary of the vendors who peddle fakes.

[seanhath]

Originally Posted by popskipa

I would encourage everyone who unintentionally purchases fakes at auction to return them for refund. The more people who do this the better. It may persuade the auctioneer to be more careful with their descriptions and make them wary of the vendors who peddle fakes.

Agreed.
Thank you for your help Keith.

Best Wishes,

Sean

[grenadierguardsman]

Brilliant Sean, im chuffed for you mate.
Andy

[CAM]

Originally Posted by seanhath

Agreed.
Thank you for your help Keith.

Best Wishes,

Sean

Sean,

I am glad you got a refund.. I would have said that (depending on the price (less than I believe £5K) take them to the small claims court. If memory of my law serves, it is what the "man on the 'Clapham omnibus' believes" not their expert.

Chris

[seanhath]

Originally Posted by CAM

Sean,

I am glad you got a refund.. I would have said that (depending on the price (less than I believe £5K) take them to the small claims court. If memory of my law serves, it is what the "man on the 'Clapham omnibus' believes" not their expert.

Chris

Agreed, however going through the small claims court can be a daunting prospect - which allows fake items to be sold unchallenged, which encourages the sale of more fakes.
Breaking the cycle is the trick - but how?

Is there such a thing as a 'collectors union'? With enough members and a clear agenda to prevent the sale of fakes in the marketplace it could have some legs as a lobbying body to put pressure on auction houses etc.

[Frank Kelley]

That is very good news, never mind, put it behind you and do not bother with them again.

Originally Posted by seanhath

So, good news!

After lots of emails bouncing back and forth I have sent the items back for a refund.
A basic history of communication between us can be summarised:

I first made contact to point out that the goods weren't just 'wrong', they were were completely counterfeit and had been made to deceive.
The Auctioneers directed me to their ambiguous terms and conditions.
I replied to say the T's & C's were misleading and asked them to accept return of the items under distance selling rules (See Gov.Uk webpage - its actually pretty helpful).

The auction house replied to say that I had every opportunity to request a free 'Condition report' which would have provided greater detail, with an expert opinion regarding each lot.
I replied and asked for a retrospective report on each item (Offering to pay too) - I explained that it would be a great comfort to me if their Militaria expert would put his name to each piece, authenticating each as being genuine.

They replied to say I could send the items back for a refund ! Such was their faith in either the expert, or the authenticity of the goods?


Almost a satisfactory outcome, because I know I wasn't their only victim.
I hope that anyone else reading this in similar circumstances doesn't give up. We can't roll over and let this criminal activity continue under a cloud of dodgy T's&C's, unscrupulous item descriptions, and a LOT of hand wringing.

Too many of us write off being a victim of what is plain fraud as a 'learning experience'.
Power to the people!

Kind regards,

Sean