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Author
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Topic: Aurora Galleries
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Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-05-2002 06:00 PM
   
How long is reasonable to wait after an auction closes to receive the merchandise that you won?? I only spent $2500 so maybe I am not at the top of the list, but regardless, I am still waiting for my items to arrive. I have sent two emails to Michael and one to Victoria(??) and they have never even extended me the courtesey of a reply! If one of them had written back to me and indicated that they were really backed up, I wouldn't be posting tonight. Common courtesey still goes a long way these days!! How many others are still waiting?
This is not a very good way to get a new business off of the ground! I must say that I have not been impressed with everything leading up to the auction and continue to be disappointed ... I wish that I could be more positive but they've done nothing but disappoint!!
I'd like to hear if others are in the same boat that I am.
Best,
Dan |
Werb
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posted 06-05-2002 06:32 PM
I've talked with my cousin who also won during the Aurora auction, and he hasn't gotten a reply or his stuff yet either. He's kinda hot headed and wanted me to post on his behalf so he doesn't offend anyone. So add him to the list.Mike
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Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 06-05-2002 07:02 PM
I spent $250ish (including the premium) and I'm getting a little annoyed myself. In fairness, I have gotten two responses from Michael, one a couple of days after the auction and one last week. Last week it was "we're working on it."Well, damn it, in this modern world, I had some stuff sent home from my vacation from the UK and it was on my porch before I got home. A non-space thing I got on Ebay arrived from Holland in -FOUR- days. Something from Italy took -SIX-. It's been six weeks and I haven't seen my stuff. So, I'm getting a bit troubled here.
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Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-05-2002 07:17 PM
Wow!!! I wish that I knew that all I had to do was post to this message board to get a reply from Michael and Victoria!! Please note that I do not consider myself a controversial guy, or one that goes looking for trouble (please ask any one that knows me or that has had contact with me in the past).... but I do like to be treated with the respect that all of us deserve! Let me post the two replies that I received from Michael and Victoria that I received within 1/2 hour of posting and emailing them!!
VICTORIA:
"Interesting approach, Dan. By the way, your shipment was processed yesterday and sent today. Victoria"
MICHAEL:
"Mr. Lorraine - An interesting message. I'm not sure if it is intended to be a complaint or a threat. In either case, I am only aware of one message that I received. I found it in my email when I returned from Florida this morning. Obviously it arrived after I left last Friday. In any case, I checked on the status of your order with Victoria and found that your order was processed (in the normal course of business flow) yesterday and shipped today.
Regards...Michael Orenstein"By the way .... I spoke to Michael approximately 10-14 days ago and he told me that he was processing my order as we spoke! Wow .... a threat?? I may be a bit naiive here (stupid if you'd like to call it so), but where is the threat in my original post?? In my email to Michael I did indicate to him that I would be posting my dissatisfaction on other message boards .... a threat? .... hardly not! .... just the plain and simple truth!!! I'm a hard working guy that would like to receive the merchandise that I won at auction within a reasonable amount of time from the close of the auction .... or at the very least, receive a reply to one of my inquiries as to what's the delay. Now Michael claims that he never received a previous email .... if he's willing to pay for AOL to do the research on the emails I've sent (and I'm sure that we'd find the one I sent to Victoria as wel!!) I would be willing to let that happen.
Michael and Victoria, replies of this nature are not appreciated! All I want is what I paid for and not an attitude!!
Best,
Dan
[This message has been edited by Dan Lorraine (edited June 05, 2002).] |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-06-2002 06:12 AM
I think you're all being a bit harsh on Michael and Victoria here. How many items do they have to ship - 2000-ish? Traditionally they take around 6 weeks internationally, but I for one am happy to wait, knowing that (a) the team are buried with the volume, (b) they'll arrive sometime soon, and (c) Aurora are bound to have teething troubles.
I have had correspondence with Michael over the last few weeks and consider him helpful and very much has the collector's interest at heart.
Just BE PATIENT!
Now, where's my Heroes Helping Heroes item? ;-)Paul
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spaceflori
Member Posts: 1499
From: Germany
Registered: May 2000
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posted 06-06-2002 11:53 AM
I have received my stuff from Aurora today and I'm very pleased with the shipping service and packaging - very professional.In defense of Michael and Victoria I could only say that I already get in trouble when I have 40 ebay auctions at a time ! :-) Now they have 1500+ items to ship and take care plus watching money coming in etc. Since they are only two who run the business along with a few helpers I would imagine it takes some time to process 1500+ orders...however I would highly recommend that they get some more helpers next time.
(Michael - you hear me ?? :-) ) Anyway let's be bit more patient before we start complaining (and I'm usually the first one who does.. :-)) ) Florian ------------------
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Werb
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posted 06-06-2002 12:53 PM
Hmmmm. I really get annoyed at the people that feel they need to lecture individuals on things such as this. There are always different stories coming out of places, and it just so happens that there are some bad ones as well as all of the good. While I do not know these folks, nor do I intend to, it seems that there is a bit of a problem when someone emails you saying that something is being processed and will be in the mail soon, and then a couple weeks later they tell you the same thing. Yes they may be busy, but I feel it is a bit of bad business to state things of that sort just to make someone else happy. I for one would much rather hear from someone that they haven't gotten to it yet, and all that good stuff. So give people a break and remember this.... a little complaining can be a good thing. Just my 2 cents worth on the subject.From The Last Frontier......... Mike
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Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-06-2002 06:51 PM
I think if you read my postings a little more carefully, my concern is not so much with the delay (although I will admit I am anxious to receive the goods), as it is with the lack of a response, and being told that my order was being processed. I certainly understand the logistical issues when dealing with an auction and mailing of this magnitude -- it has to be overwhelming! However, communication can go a long way to smoothing these issues over. So please don't confuse my concerns with a "be patient" issue .... because it's not!Best,
Dan |
riolag
Member Posts: 81
From: Fl, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-06-2002 06:57 PM
Why should Dan be patient? He's paid his money and not received his goods. Aren't you under a legal obligation to deliver upon receipt of payment. Granted a few times I've had delays in delivery, but it's always been upon my instruction.One other point people haven't mentioned is that there was a hefty 15% premium paid by the buyers and I believe also by the sellers premium, meaning they would have made up 30% of the hammer price on each lot that sold - and I don't know as I didn't win any items that shipping was on top of this. Either way on the most conservative basis that Aurora only received a 15% buyers premium (commission) and no shipping and handling. Then Dan would have paid Aurora a commission of $375. Paying that sort of fee definitely gives a person cause for concern if the item hasn't turned up in a month and a half! I have yet to be over impressed by Aurora. When they originally announced the auction I checked the web site with the intention of registering for a catalogue. When I saw that the webpage where they ask for credit card details did not (and still doesn't) appear to be secure, I sent an e-mail asking about this (who wants to put there cc info on an insecure webpage). I never received a reply and at the time thought fine they obviously don't want my business. I'm now most probably going to join Dan on the blacklist (btw guys great way to retain customer loyalty - insult them), but there are other options available for a new collector who has a reasonable level disposable income and no will power.  Not my loss. That's my tuppence on the matter, and I'll wander back off to the oblivion of lurkdom (until next time!  ) Val
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Ed beck
Member Posts: 227
From: Florida
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-06-2002 07:34 PM
Give 'em hell Dan! If you spent that kind of money, and have been treated this way, then I don't blame you one bit for posting. Sometimes you have to get out the steel toe shoe and kick the right backside in order to get something done. I am surprised, and disapointed to see this. I haven't gone there yet, and now I don't think I will. |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-06-2002 11:22 PM
I couldn't have said it better, Val and Ed. When you take in 30% of what each item goes for, then only having a few people to handle the orders is absolutely no excuse at all. I was also very put off by their response to Dan. Someone needs to take some customer service lessons from Todd Mueller or some of the other class acts out there.
Scott |
Dan Lorraine
Member Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-11-2002 05:56 AM
Received my items yesturday. I had a little bonus on one of the items that I purchased, the flown GT-3 $2 bill .... the bill is also inscribed in ball point (very small) "Joe Trammel Good Luck Gus" in addition to the red marker sigs on the bill and the signatures on the certificate!!Dan |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-04-2002 07:33 AM
Having previously been rash enough to suggest patience ;-( I STILL haven't received my $2k worth of goods. It's now about 11 weeks since the auction and I've never had to wait this long before. I was promsed the stuff 2 weeks ago, but nothing came.
Anyone else still missing their Aurora stuff?Paul (was "Mr Patient" now "Mr Angry") |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 07-14-2002 06:46 PM
I haven't received my 4K worth of goods either.------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 07-14-2002 06:58 PM
Oh, come now! They are a new outfit and are doing our hobby a great service and doing so at great personal risk with nothing in it for themselves, so don't you dare complain!! You should be on your knees thanking God every day that they stooped so low as to self stuff to the likes of you lowly vermin!*ahem* Wow, 11 weeks - now *that's* service!
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xdef66
Member Posts: 43
From: Detroit MI. USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-14-2002 08:31 PM
Welcome to my world !
Just short of 1 year ago I won items on Collectspace's Heroes for Heroes Auction ! I also felt a little awkward complaining when I knew that Robert Pearlman had invested so much of his valuable time to such a wonderful cause . My first posting as did yours received immediate attention (mostly negative) (Please refer to Heroes for Heroes ???) also on this forum ! Unfortunatly I've left two other replys with reference to my items with only broken promises to show! I've only invested a few hundred dollars but regardless of the amount we should be at least told that we have not been forgotten ! Hopefully this will be the last time I have to tattle-tale or out someone for not doing the right thing and also please note that if I lived closer to Virginia I would volunteer to help send out these items to all the people who make up the community where we're posting these messages today ! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-14-2002 08:55 PM
I have replied to your past posts via e-mail and on this board with a request that you contact me. You have not replied. But you are due your items.You have my phone number and e-mail address. Please write me. (Yes, I am seriously overdue on returning some of the items from HHH and for this I have and will continue to apologize both publicly and privately to each bidder. A majority of the items have been returned. I have been working as diligently as I can to return the remainder. For those of you still due items, I have or will be in touch again as soon as I can. As always, I appreciate your understanding and your patience.) [This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited July 14, 2002).] |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 07-20-2002 07:39 PM
My Aurora goodies arrived via UPS yesterday in perfect shape...thanks Michael!------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 07-22-2002 12:13 PM
Any hints or rumors as to when/if Dave Scott might do another autograph signing session with them? If I could get his autograph I would have all 10 of the Moon walkers who do sign. I've pretty much given up on Armstrong or Young, unfortunately. |
cms
Member Posts: 62
From: Dayton, OH
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 07-22-2002 02:34 PM
Not to get off the topic of Aurora Galleries, but this is in response to the previous message from "tncmaxq". I just received a personalized autographed photo from Mr Young a few days ago. From time of mailing the request to actual receipt of the photo was only about 8 days. Don't give up, but keep in mind he only signs his current NASA portrait (which he also supplies). Good luck!
..and Thank You very much Mr. Young!cms |
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