Pioneer Auction Gallery and Quik2Sell fake, deceptive, over-valued, misleading Portland, Oregon
I have attended a number of their in-person and online-only auctions, as well as have purchased a few things and looked at / investigated multiple items in every auction catalog over the last 6+ months.
They do have a fair amount of legitimate offerings, but anyone considering bidding on anything from them should be warned:
Any jewelry items / gemstones etc that come with a so-called "appraisal" will turn out to be junk. They use a company called GLA to do their appraisals, which come in at hundreds of times more than the actual value. I purchased an item that was GLA "appraised" to be worth over $20,000, for $500 in one of their auctions. I took it to a local jeweler they said it was basically worthless except for the scrap/melt value of about $50. Which isn't to say you shouldn't buy any of these items from them, but do not pay more than 1% to 3% of the so-called appraisal value, and do not expect to re-sell it nor get a good buy.
Some of the jewelry / gemstones etc will be appraised incorrectly to begin with. The item I purchased was stated to be one type of stone, and it turned out to be a different type entirely.
All sales are final, no refunds, and it is your responsibility to verify the facts beforehand. That is their policy, so even if they misrepresent something in their catalog, you have no recourse.
Don't bid on anything in their online-only auctions unless you are 100% sure you know what you're getting. I purchased an item that had "condition issues", and when it arrived, it was basically something that someone should have thrown in the garbage. It was worthless and unusable. They do provide photos, but did not include photos of the "condition issues". They do not offer in-person previews of their online-only items, and will not answer questions during the auction.
The vials of gold flakes they sell for $30 to $50+ each are actually worth less than a dollar each. Check eBay. Not sure why people are buying these - the photos are misleading and make them seem much larger than they are.
The "retro" advertising signs they sell are 90% reproductions. Every so often they have real vintage signs, but the vast majority are reproductions that are distressed to look old.
The auctioneer will bait and mislead [lie to] bidders. They frequently say things like "These sell for $100 on eBay" when in fact they do not, or the item itself is not allowed on eBay to begin with (n**i, KKK etc type of items).
They simulcast their auctions on proxibid.com, liveauctioneers.com, icollector.com and auctionzip.com, so if you use any of those sites be sure you know who is holding the auction.
If you do plan to bid on anything from them, I would strongly urge you to do so on in person, and with your own full knowledge as to what the item is and what it is worth. Don't get caught up, and don't be swayed by what anyone else says (they have employees and friends in the audience that will "talk up" items as though they were just another bidder).
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Pioneer Auction Gallery
Our Terms & Conditions are Industry Standard
#8REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, March 28, 2013
You only posted a PARTIAL part of our Terms & Conditions. Why not post it all so people can see them? We have nothing to hide & welcome you to.
I Suggest that all of you research Terms & Conditions of ALL Auction Houses... Ours are Standard in the Industry. Also, we require that people read & agree to them BEFORE they are allowed to place bids. That means each person complaining here, (IF they are even Customers & not Competitors) AGREED to the Terms & Conditions OR they wouldn't have even been able to bid. That means that they agreed that items are Sold As Is with No Returns, the Catalog is Meant as a Guide & is Opinion Only & that THEY were responsible for determining age, authenticity, value, etc... BEFORE they bid on any item. Extra Photographs, Having specific questions answered & in person Preview is also always available when requested.
If we do not know something is Vintage, we do not state it is. If we do not know something is Bullion, we do not state it is. If we do not know whether something is authentic, we do not state it is. Many times, Consignors state something is Vintage, Period, etc... but we do not list it as such, because we cannot guarantee it as such. We sell many newer collectibles & liquidation items also but these items are not listed as old, vintage, originals, etc... unless they are. We are a very honest company - Please browse any current or past Auction catalogs on-line to see for yourself.
Whenever we make an error in listing an item a refund is offered. When it is a case of 'Buyers Remorse', Refunds are not offered because items are Sold As Is & all Bidders have Agreed to that by Agreeing to our Terms & Conditions. We frequently get threatened with Blackmail when someone has 'Buyers Remorse', wants a Refund & we refuse. This results in complaints to rip off report, etc... that are unjustified.
We apologize to any customer unhappy with their purchases, but again, when we have listed something incorrectly, we ALWAYS offer a full refund.
afflictedbuyer
Tinseltown,Internet,
Thats the One I bid in
#8Consumer Suggestion
Wed, March 27, 2013
We were outbid on a few of these thankfully...lol
Armyofone
Santa Ana,California,
United States of America
Pioneer Auction Gallery Misrepresentation
#8Consumer Comment
Fri, February 01, 2013
Pioneer Auctions provides collectible/vintage items to be sold via online auction. They provide an online description of the item and typically two basic digital photographs. Buyers, unless otherwise notified within the online advertisement, have a reasonable expectation that items sold by Pioneer are geniune/non-replicas. It should also be noted that for the casual/amateur collector, Pioneer Auctions online presence is that "clearinghouse" where one can expect them to due their basic due diligence when qualifying an items authenticity. Well, I bid on two auctions of theirs for what was represented as "n**i Medal - Luftwaffe" and "Kriegsmarine" (Airforce/Sumariner") valued between $60-$8,000.
All they provided were two photo's of the front and back but no side pic (which reveals the reality that they are thick/resin reproductions). I received them and could tell upon personally inspecting. I contact Pioneer Auctions and their only response was "they do not accept refunds nor do they guarantee items are authentic". Really? A auction house specializing in collectibles/vintage items and they didn't represent these items as replicas and you'd only know if you physically inspect them (which I could not do until I purchase them). They certainly have trained staff given this is their line of business but they blatantly lied on their ad and are now hiding behind their "terms"..
212pjs
New York,New York,
United States of America
autographed Items
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, May 26, 2012
http://live.autographmagazine.com/
212pjs
New York,New York,
United States of America
Really And They Are still doing Business?
#8Consumer Comment
Fri, May 25, 2012
http://pioneerantiqueauction.com/
Here is their main Page.
http://www.auctionzip.com/OR-Auctioneers/39922.html
http://www.icollector.com/auctionlist.aspx?ae=1186
http://www.proxibid.com/asp/AuctionsByCompany.asp?ahid=2500
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/browse/seller/bidpioneer
bidpioneer@aol.com- to me; If you attempt to call or email us anymore we are filing charges of harrasment against you. This is their response to my claim!
I just got off the phone with the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office, a report was filed on you with Officer Scott. She said to let you know a report has been filed on you. She said to inform you that a log is going to be started every time you call or email us and if this continues a charge of telephonic harassment will be filed against you.
really you are selling Counterfeit Items Knowing it!! That is Illegal! Last time I looked!
The Collector
New Port Richey,Florida,
United States of America
Pioneer Auction Gallery = FRAUD !!!
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, September 19, 2011
Here is just a small part of Pioneer Auction Gallery's "Terms and Conditions". Do you think an honest company would have these following terms and conditions if they were honest? They offer no refunds for any reason, the item could be fake, broken, not even the correct item and they will refuse to accept a refund. This tells me that the company knowingly sells cheap fake items, represents them as authentic or leads the bidder to conclude the item is real through use of deceptive wording. You decide for yourself if you would want to buy anything from a company that has these kind of terms, and this only a part of their entire terms and conditions, but this alone is enough to scare the average consumer.
PIONEER AUCTION GALLERY (Terms and Conditions):
"Reading & Agreeing to Our Terms & Conditions is REQUIRED Before Placing Bids. By Placing a Bid in Our Auction, You Agree that you Have Read, Understood and Agree to all Terms & Conditions and that this
is a Legally Binding Contract. All property is sold AS IS, ALL SALES ARE FINAL - NO Refunds or Credit Card Chargebacks for ANY Reason. Anyone attempting a Chargeback will be Charged a Breach of Contract Fee of $1000.00 OR 50% of their Total, whichever is greater. It is the Bidders responsibility to Research, Inspect, Determine Authenticity, Genuineness, Age, Condition & Value or any other determinative
factor. Our Company may attempt to describe the merchandise in our Catalog, Advertising, on the Internet and at the auction but makes NO Representations, Guarantees or Warranties on any item Sold. Catalog is
merely an Opinion that is written as a guide to aid potential bidders & may contain errors or omissions. By Bidding, you acknowledge that our Catalog is an Opinion & not a Guarantee or Warranty. You, the
bidder, also agree, before placing any bids, that YOU are Responsible for Researching & Inspecting all item(s) up for bid & Determining their Authenticity, Genuineness, Age, Condition & Value or any other determinative factor. In no event shall Our Company be held responsible for any errors or omissions or for having made or implied any guarantee or warranty of authenticity, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No employee of our Company or any person purporting to act on behalf of Our Company is authorized to make on our behalf or on the behalf of the consignor, any representation, guarantee
or warranty, oral or written, with respect to any lot or item for sale."
Pioneer Auction Gallery
United States of AmericaDisgruntled Competitor? Business Owner Proves Complaint is Full of Lies
#8REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, July 18, 2011
That 'Report' is absolutely untrue & in this response, I will provide proof, including links, that prove the person who posted it (Virgil) has not only not purchased from us, but not even ATTENDED our Auctions. "Virgil", I know your Momma taught you that Lying is WRONG! I hope you like the taste of internet 'soap' cuz I'm gonna wash your mouth out with it after this...
This is obviously NOT an 'individual' but someone who stands to profit if they slander us...i.e., our COMPETITION. We are one of the Fastest Growing Auctions on the West Coast & this is yet another attempt by the Competition to slow us down. (Shame on you, 'Virgil')
Our Company has been around since 1994. We are Licensed, Insured, Bonded & a Member of the NAA. We are the BEST Auction Company in the Northwest to deal with & appreciate the opportunity to Advertise Our Business is Response to this 'Report'. So thank you, 'Virgil', I bet we get a lot more business thanks to your bogus, lie filled report :)
Check our Website at: http://www.pioneerauctiongallery.com
Please check our Past Auction Catalogs for proof that the 'report' we're responding to is filled with lies:
http://www.proxibid.com/pioneer
http://www.proxibid.com/quik2sell
OUR RESPONSE TO 'VIRGIL' & HIS LIES:
-We keep a record of all buyers & all sales. Where are your
specifics, 'Virgil'? Necklace, Ring, Ruby, Diamond? There are none because You did
NOT purchase the piece of Jewelry you stated from us. We checked our
records under ALL Auctions & ALL Winners, Not just Fake 'Virgils' like you.
-1 of the Consignors of Jewelry here also Consigns to other Major
Auction Houses throughout the USA incl. 1 that currently has its own TV
show. Do you have a TV, 'Virgil'? I know you have a computer or at least borrowed 1, so Please check out GLA's Qualifications at: http://gemlabamerica.com/info.asp?qualifications - We Sell Jewelry with Appraisals from MANY Companies & Lots of Jewelry & Gemstones without Appraisals at all. Please check out this link to a 63.6 CT. Genuine Natural Emerald that sold for $7 recently. Pretty Awesome, NON rip-off deal, isn't it 'Virgil'? :
http://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=3024&aid=40843&lid=10796069#topoflot
-Vial of Gold Flakes are NOT Sold as Bullion, which is OBVIOUS because
they are not listed as 14K, 18K, etc... Photos are taken to SHOW the
item. In your 'Report', You complain that we don't show items clearly in our photos, then
complain when we do! Are you serious? We do the same thing with small gemstones so people
can SEE what they are bidding on. 'Virgil', you should already KNOW that since you say you've been to so MANY of our Auctions...shouldn't you?
-You say our photos hide condition? That is another one EASILY proved as
a lie - Check our photos on items...our Photographers are ALL told to
check for damage, photograph it if they find it & make sure the
catalog is changed to reflect it. Here's a link to a recent one to prove
another of your lies, 'Virgil'. Shame on you, you naughty boy:
http://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=2500&aid=40962&lid=10862194#0
-Advertising signs that are VINTAGE or Antique are LISTED as such. No
signs that are not old are EVER listed as old. In fact, NOTHING is
Listed as OLD unless it IS old since we sell Newer items also. In fact,
'Virgil', if you had ever attended 1 of our Auctions, you would know that our
Auctioneer says "NOT OLD" a lot when selling newer items. Here's an
Example of a sign that LOOKED Old, incl. Chips & Spots of Rust. We
were not POSITIVE whether it was old, so we did NOT list it as Old. 'Virgil', you really have to research your lies better :
http://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=2500&aid=40962&lid=10862314#topoflot
-We don't sell items that are worthless due to condition issues. That's
ridiculous! WHY would we? We have a backlog of consignments, struggle to
find room for all the items we have coming in & REGULARLY have to
add more Auctions to be able to sell everything we have being Consigned.
WHY would we sell junk? We regularly give items back to Consignors that
do not meet our Guidelines for Value, Condition, etc... OR, if they
come in an Estate, we take them to OTHER Auctions to Sell because,
again, they do not meet our Guidelines. Was it YOUR Auction & that's why you're Disgruntled, "Virgil"? Or did you bring us your priceless items to Sell & we didn't take them? Life is too short to be so bitter & lie, 'Virgil'. How's that soap in your mouth tasting so far?
-Quik2Sell, which is the Oldest Operating eBay Drop-Off Store in Portland. Our
Auctioneer & Staff KNOW what things sell for on eBay because we
Subscribe to Terapeak Market Research in order to do eBay Appraisals
& Determine the Best Place to Sell items for our Consignors, 'Virgil'. You probably don't know about that at your Auction, do you? We like to do a good job for our Consignors which is why we have so many of them. Our Auctioneer may mention 1-2 times an Auction how much something is bringing
on eBay, yep. That is because we do our Homework. You, as
the Competition should know that n**i items are not sold on eBay, but
many WW2 era German items ARE. Incl. Coins, Stamps, Holocaust, Badges
that are Sports Related or do not show Swastikas, do not have n**i in the title, etc... Shame on you, 'Virgil', for not knowing that! Go to www.ebay.com & search for ww2 german. I just did &"31,974 results found for ww2 german" is what eBay told me. Are you gagging on that mouth full of soap yet, 'Virgil'?
-We strongly suggest people bid in person also! Please check our Terms
& Conditions on ALL on-line bidding websites where we state that
& also, that it is the BIDDER'S Responsibility to determine value,
age, etc... and that Condition checks are available BEFORE auction day.
The FTC states the same thing about Previewing items before bidding that
WE do, I believe. Hmm...Hey 'Virgil', how can you possibly report us as a 'rip off' for something that WE ALREADY DO??? 1 thing we are is UP FRONT & HONEST, 'Virgil', wish I could say the same about you. Need more Soap yet?
-Lastly, it particularly infuriates me to hear that we have 'friends
& employees' in the audience! That is the most blatant of ALL of
your lies! Anyone who has EVER been to our auction knows that ALL of our
employees are either at a table or behind a counter during the auction.
NONE of our employees are EVER in the Audience!! As far as
FRIENDS? None of Our Friends Come to our Auctions, but we try to be
friendly with all of our Bidders, which is our GOAL here. 'Virgil', Our Auctioneer
regularly talks to her 75 yr. old Mother during the Auction when she is
in attendance. Yes, that is true & that will continue until her
Mother can no longer attend them.
In Closing, 'Virgil', you are a horrible LIAR who should be ashamed of yourself
for posting such blatant LIES about our Company AND us. Lies like this hurt the people who work here, their families & their children. Hope you enjoyed the soap :)
http://www.pioneerauctiongallery.com
"So Awesome, the Competition will do ANYTHING to keep you from Dealing with us!"