ComplaintsforPutney Auction Service

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On August 3, 2023 my husband attended an auction held by **********************. During the auction he purchased a Big Tex Flatbed Trailer in the amount of $10,000. After making settlement he hooked on to the trailer and started driving home when he noticed the trailer was not trailing straight. *** immediately turned around and went back to the auction and spoke with Mark ********************** who rode with *** and agreed that the trailer was not tracking straight. ********************** told *** to take the trailer to Central Trailer Sales in ******* and have them take a look at it to see if it could be fixed and that he would pay for the inspection. Upon evaluation it was determined that the axles were not welded correctly but could be fixed. The day of the auction it was announced that the trailer was like new and used very little, when *** called ********************** to let him know what the shop found ********************** become hostile and started raising his voice over the phone and told *** to ***************** back and he already had it lined up to sell it to the reserve bidder and that the trailer had been hauled all over the US and the previous owner had no issues.We immediately went to the shop on August 7 to pick up the trailer and paid the bill of $180.97 and drove it directly to the ********************** Auction site. We went inside the building and ********************** was not there but were told to unhook the trailer so we did and I left the copy of the work order from *************** Service with their findings. I inquired on August 29 about getting reimbursed for the $180.97 and ********************** has told that he would mail me a check and I still have not received one and he no longer takes my calls.I just want to get reimbursed for the money that I had to pay to pick the trailer up as it was in our name at the shop as it was taken there to be inspected at the direction of **********************.

  Business response

  11/17/2023

  Thank you for reaching out to us with this complaint, we would be more than happy to explain the terms and conditions of our sale and the action we took in this situation. The Big Tex Flatbed Trailer was purchased at our August 3rd 2023 Equipment auction. Items that are sold through our auction they are sold as is where is, it is the responsibility of the buyer to inspect the item they are looking to purchase, any issues seen by our employees will be listed and brought to attention. The customer purchased the Big Tex flatbed trailer for $10,000.00 AS IS, WHERE IS per the terms and conditions of the auction. these terms and conditions are always announced at the beginning  of every sale. The customer wrote a check and left with the trailer, he didn't feel as though it pulled correctly, he brought it back and we told him to go have it inspected and let us know what they find. Upon inspection they found the issues with the axles. We informed him that we would refund his money but not cover the inspection cost because per our terms and conditions we were not required to give him the money back, once again everything is sold AS IS WHERE IS. The customer proceeded to cancel his check, drop the trailer right in front of our business and contact us with phone calls being very rude to our employees. This bidder was present at the auction and had a bid number card at the bottom of the bid number cards it states ALL ITEMS AS IS WHERE IS. If you guys would like we can scan one of our cards and send it over to you.

  Here a copy of our terms and conditions that are listed on every sale:

  All accounts must be settled at the conclusion of the auction. Putney Auction Service will accept payment at time of pick-up. Please contact Putney Auction Service at ************** with any questions.  All items not picked up will have storage, and late fees applied.
  
  Items left after scheduled pickup dates and times become property of Putney Auction Service unless prior arrangements are made. Buyer is responsible for all outstanding invoices and other fees.
  
  We accept *********** Master Card, and Discover credit cards, Check, Money Order, or Wire Transfer. Credit cards are subject to a 3.5% service fee. Wire Transfers are subject to a $25 service fee.
  
  A $25 service fee will be charged to any account that payment is declined/returned, requiring additional time to contact and establish payment for merchandise or shipping! 
  
  All items are sold "as-is, where-is". There are no warranties implied or given. Please reference pictures or personally inspect items for condition and accuracy of lots being sold. Putney Auction Service will provide as much information as is available to us. Announcements made on sale day take precedent over any previous print or oral statements. Putney Auction Service is not responsible for any inadvertent errors in advertising or descriptions. All sales are final. Buyer is expected to exercise due diligence when deciding to bid.
  

  Customer response

  11/27/2023

   
  Complaint: 20844613
  
  I am rejecting this response because: as I stated in my original complaint the trailer was mis-represented at the auction the day of the auction it was stated that the trailer was only pulled a few times and when we contacted ********************** Auction with the findings of *************** **** stated that the trailer had been pulled daily.  Iowa has a 3 day lemon law and once hooked on (which there is no way to have known that the axles were that far off upon inspection) *** immediately turned around and it was **** who requested the trailer be taken to *************** and he would work with us to get a solution.  

  **** has stated that we were rude to his employees but that is another lie, when we walked into the Auction house we waited our turn as the employee was with another customer.  I handed him the paperwork from *************** and requested that reimbursement be sent to the address on the invoice and walked out there were no exchange of words or raised voices or anything of the kind.

  We were told to unhook the trailer on the cement and we did as was asked, we did not block any drives and/or doors.

  I am still requesting that I be reimbursed as Mark ********************** told me on the phone that he would be mailing me a check and then hung up on me.  If **** had no intention of paying the bill he should have requested the trailer back that day of the auction when it was brought to his attention that the trailer was defective.  I do understand as is/where is but until the trailer was pulled there was no way to know how far off the axles were as was stated by the repair shop that Mr ********************** requested it be taken to for evaluation.  This is a very poor business practice on the part of ********************** Auction.

  It is my belief that the trailer has a salvage title and that was not disclosed at the auction.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

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