posted 12-24-2008 07:03 PM               

I've just discovered that over $1100 has been charged to my credit card account and I've not yet even received a Preliminary Invoice for any of the three Items I won.

I had a similar problem in connection with an item I won in their October auction and after an exchange of emails with Alan Lipkin I understood that this resulted from issues concerning bids placed via eBay Live which I had used for that sale.

This time I placed my absentee bids directly with the auction house and other than an email informing me of the results of my bids which I received on the 22nd December,I've heard nothing more which is fair enough having regards to the Christmas holiday.

However, I would have expected, in due course, the courtesy of a more detailed communication confirming the hammer price, commission due and shipping charges at least at the same time or before payment was collected.

Can the more expereinced auction buyers on the Forum tell me if it is usual for auction houses to just collect payments without first letting you know exactly what you are paying for?

posted 12-26-2008 05:52 PM               

You were notified by Email soon after the auction at: psgkemp@btinternet.com (if this email address is not correct, please let us know). You authorized payment via your credit card when you bid in the sale. Your material has already been mailed to you via USPS Express Mail; it was one of the first shipments we sent out after the auction, since you are an excellent customer and we did not want you to have to wait any longer than necessary. Your tracking number is EM297106890, please track it on line.

posted 12-27-2008 04:52 AM               

"3. Payment can be made by Cash, Check, Money Order, or major Credit Card (at no additional cost). Successful bidders who have furnished a credit card will have their lots forwarded immediately; all others will be invoiced, and payment must be remitted in full within 7 days."

I had indeed provided a credit card upon pre-registration, not noticing that it it was not compulsory (I figured that they used it as a credit check). But having read Terms of sale item # 3, and wishing myself to use an other mode of payment, I sent an email to Regency Superior as soon as I presumed to be a winner (even before I was sure that the winning bid was mine), asking them to bill me instead. They obliged, but I've had a nervous couple of days before I received their email to that effect...

Alan will note that customers may be inconvenienced by this Terms of sale provision, for various legitimate, practical reasons. While I understand that a credit card is a convinient and the least invasive way to pre-check someone's credit, I suggest that Regency-Superior put a "check box" in their bidding registration Web form next to a statement such as "I have provided my credit card number for credit verification only. Please do not charge my credit card automatically should I win an item; bill me instead".

posted 01-02-2009 12:32 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by capoetc:
The extra $75 wasn't the e-Bay buyer's fee, was it?

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No, at first glance, I thought that, too. But the invoice was for $425 plus an additional $93.50 for a total of $518.50.

posted 01-02-2009 12:47 PM               

Thanks

posted 01-05-2009 03:14 PM               

Any others in Europe with the same "shock"?

posted 01-06-2009 02:39 PM               

I was surprised to find the Regency-Superior package in today's mail. I never got a final invoice. I checked my main checking account, and R-S had debited funds from the account on 12/30, which caused the account to overdraw. If I had received a final invoice, I would have paid with PayPal.

posted 01-07-2009 06:34 PM               

The packet had been opened and examined by Customs and had not been very well packed before being resealed.

Luckily nothing was damaged but there was absolutely no indication of the person or Customs official who carried out the examination, just a yellow sticker saying it had been opened.

I expect that the chances of doing anything about any damage that had been caused would be absolutely nil.

I thank Alan Lipkin for clarifying the status of the credit card I registered with Regency and how the after auction administration works in respect of absentee bidders.

I assumed like others that registering my card was primarily to underwrite my bona fides as a genuine bidder and although I am happy for payment to be collected immediately as per the terms and conditions of the auction house, so that my items can be given early shipping I would still have appreciated an email detailing the hammer price, commission and shipping charges before they were depatched to me.

However, I am a relative novice when it comes to adding to my collection via auctions so this has been useful in adding to my level of knowledge.

posted 01-08-2009 04:14 PM               

While you may be able to claim back 10% of the VAT I agree that the Parcel-farce charge is outrageous at £13 or so. It is effectively another tax as you are paying them to do the job that Customs are supposed to do, ie assess and collect duties.