Over decades, I have bought many antiques online, either directly with auction houses or through Easy Live and The Saleroom - including over 50 valuable items up to £2500 in value. Additionally over 1000 items on eBay. I have never had any issue with any of these channels. I bought a watercolour through Crows Auctions directly in July but was not able to pay immediately via their online portal - the payment just didn't go through and I tried several cards and more than one computer to try to deal with the issue. Having planned to collect the painting, I decided to pay then. However, my trip up from Devon to Sussex was cancelled so I eventually paid by bank transfer.
I was surprised after this that I had been given negative feedback, as a non-payer for an auction lot, (on a system that many UK auction houses refer to), and this has resulted in my bids not being accepted by them. Having paid for the painting in full, I asked for this feedback to be removed (which was possible) but they decided to change the feedback to classify me as a late payer and they will not change this.
I face a future having to explain myself to some auction houses and reall resent Crows' initial incompetence that caused the problem and now their vindictive refusal to retrace their complaint.
I can see why this company has such a mediocre score online. I would not give them a single star if the system allowed. Use them at your peril...! read more
