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  • Report:  #272010

Complaint Review: Heritage Auction Galleries / Mr. Doug Norwine - Dallas Texas

Reported By:
- Coalinga, California,
Submitted:
Updated:

Heritage Auction Galleries / Mr. Doug Norwine
3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor Dallas, 75219-3941 Texas, U.S.A.
Phone:
214-528-3500
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
Mr. Doug Norwine lied to me and now my inheritance worth $30k to $40k is missing!

Heritage Auction Galleries, located in Dallas Texas is the subject of this Rip-off report. The Director of Music and Entertainment Memorabilia for Heritage Galleries and Auctioneers is Mr. Doug Norwine. I will present the evidence that will prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt that Mr. Doug Norwine lied to me. It also appears that Mr. Norwine was responsible for misrepresentation as it relates to my deceased grandmother being in the movie Gone With The Wind.

My grandmother was Miss. California in 1935 and then she became a Hollywood movie actress. She had a fantastic collection of movie star photographs. I had fantastic 11 x 16 and 8 x 11 inch autographed photographs and snap shot pictures. I had snap shots of my grandmother with the original Three Stooges, Betty Grable and many others. I had a full two page newspaper article that was all about my grandmother. This same two page newspaper article had a picture of Bing Crosby with his arm around my grandmothers waist. How cool is that? I sent my only copy to Mr. Norwine, it was totally priceless.

I had pictures of my grandmother in costume on the movie set for China Seas which stared Humphrey Bogart. I had snap shots of Carol Lombard on the motion picture back lot. I had 11 x 16 inch photographs signed of Jayne Wyman (President Ronald Regans first wife), Ann Southern, Florence rice, and many many more!

I had original Gone With The Wind movie stills, my grandmothers Motion Picture Employee identification card, and many original photographs of movie stars from the 1930s and 1940s. The vast majority of these photographs had a personalized note or wishes in addition to the signature of the movie star.

Mr. Doug Norwine claims he personally signed for the FedEx box, but that is not the truth. I have proof that Mr. Doug Norwine lied to me.

I spoke to Mr. Doug Norwine late in the afternoon on 2\16\2006. He said the deadline to have my parasol included in their upcoming auction catalog was the very next day.

Mr. Doug Norwine asked me to send my photograph and newspaper collection with my parasol. He said that these collections would support the authenticity of my parasol being used in the movie Gone With The Wind.

The box went FedEx overnight from California to Texas. Mr. Doug Norwine said he signed for the box and opened it himself. He said the photographs and newspaper articles were not in the box.

Photograph and newspaper collections do not just selectively vanish from sealed FedEx boxes while in transit.

Thank God I took pictures of my photograph collection right before I mailed them to Mr. Doug Norwine.

I put the photograph and newspaper article collections in the box. They had to be there when the box was opened.

The FedEx Track Shipments Detailed Results printout that I have shows a person with the name of S.MCCLENNY signed for the box on Feb. 17, 2006 at 9:03 AM. The tracking number is 841186856634.

I called FedEx to inquire about the possibility of there being a mistake about who signed for my box. FedEx said there was no mistake. The FedEx customer service person that I spoke to said that a person with the name S.MCCLENNY signed for the box, not Mr. Doug Norwine.

Someone is lying. Either I lied about putting the photograph and newspaper collections in the box with my parasol and continue to do so by virtue off writing this rip off report or Mr. Doug Norwine is lying.

I am telling the truth. I am not lying. I will go take a lie detector test today and be happy to have anyone that is interested witness it.

I personally put my parasol, the photograph and newspaper collections into a plain brown box that I found around the duplex my wife and I were renting. I taped the box closed and took the box to the closest FedEx office. I personally witnessed the FedEx employee weigh the box, fill out the FedEx USA Airbill, attach it to the box, and then put my box with all the other boxes waiting for the next and last pickup for that day.

Why did he lie to me? What did or does he have to hide from me? Not only did he lie to me but, he adding insult to injury, told me, half laughing as he spoke his words, to look around my house. He said I might find my photograph and newspaper collection in a drawer.

I could not believe the audacity, the cold hearted tone of voice, and unprofessional behavior. I was being ripped off, lied to, and insulted by a man who I had previously thought must be trustworthy. How wrong I was. I should have listened to my wife! She told me not to send my photographs and newspaper articles to Mr. Doug Norwine.

Are all the essential elements of a Bad Faith law suit present? Grand Theft?

I am 47 years old. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease 7 years ago. I was an Immigration Information Officer for the Federal Department of Justice for 4 to 5 of the last 6 years. My hands and head started to shake more and more. I had to take a medical leave from I.N.S. I.N.S. is now called C.I.S.

There are some memory issues as Parkinsons disease progresses. I might go upstairs and then once there, forget why I went upstairs or forget the name of a meal that my wife has cooked 100 times but I did not forget what I did with my treasured inheritance. I know exactly what I did with it, when and where it was the last time I saw it.

The last time I saw it was when it was in the box that had a FedEx USA Airbill with Doug Norwine listed as the recipient, Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers as the company, and 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th floor, Dallas Texas 75219. I am listed as the sender, William ; I now live in Coalinga, California.

How can anyone trust anything Doug Norwine says anymore? Once it is established that he lied to me, doesnt he earn the loss of any and all creditability?

If I was Mr. Steve Ivy, the CEO or Mr. Greg Rohan, the President of Heritage Auction Galleries, I would ask or tell Doug Norwine to go take a lie detector test TODAY. If he has not lied and if he has no knowledge of my missing collections, he should have no problem taking a lie detector test TODAY!

I can not prove that he took my collection, but I can prove that he lied to me about who signed for the box. Why did Doug Norwine lie to me about signing for my box? What was Doug Norwine trying to hide from me, his customer; from me, Heritage Auction Galleries customer?

How can anyone trust anything he says anymore?

One thing for sure is that Mr. Doug Norwine lied to me several times. Another thing for sure is that my inheritance did not just vanish from the FedEx box. Captain Kirk or Spock did not beam them up out of the box and leave the parasol?

Now my inheritance, that I estimate the value to me to be over $30,000 is missing.

Since things like that dont just vanish, they have to be physically in someones possession, and the question is in whose possession. Perhaps they are in S.MCCLENNYs possession.

I am ready to go take a lie detector test today

I believe that I would have gotten 10 to 100 times more than the $650.00 that it finally sold for in their auction. Mr. Doug Norwine cost me big time.

The auction catalog stated that the owner of the parasol was in the movie Gone With The Wind. I never told Doug Norwine that my grandmother was in the movie, so who gave the advertising copy to go with the picture in the catalog?

Where is my photograph collection and articles collection?

I want them returned, no questions asked

William

Coalinga, California

U.S.A.


17 Updates & Rebuttals

Mark

Port Richey,
United States
Strong accusations and passionate stance

#2Consumer Comment

Mon, December 25, 2017

I have been thinking to consign a fairly valuable collection of coins I have collected through the years with Heritage Auction and I was searching to see the cunsumer reviews about the company. In the past I have had some dealings with the company, but, always as a bidder/buyer. Although, I don't question the sincerity of both William and Mr. Norwine, and I have no desire to take side in the matter, but, this experience tells me to be educated about the company rules and clearly understand the process before signing up with them, particularly, contracting a high value item or items. My experiences with Heritage as a buyer have all been positive. I am also aware Heritage is a sales company and the more they sell the more income they make. The company makes millions of $$ in sales per year. Obviously, for the company to manage such operations as successfully as Heritage has there has to be some solid ground rules. So, for one employee no matter how senior or even a couple in kahoots with each other to rampantly go through packages received and help themselves to their likings defies the success of the company and their positive reputation.


realclient

William's Complaint is Obviously Libelous

#3Consumer Comment

Fri, May 10, 2013

I have throughly read William's complaint and Heritage's response thereto. It is excruciatingly obvious that there is something seriously wrong with William's mental state. His post is nothing more than rambling, impertinent, libelous babble. William, we do not want to read your tediously boring life story nor your imagined interactions with Heritage nor anyone else. Your alleged misfortunes do not mitigate your defamation. The bottom line is that Heritage has proof of what William actually sent them - and his transaction was handled professionally and in accordance with his signed contract. I am not a fan of one of the owners of Heritage, but I do like the company itself and most of its employees. I do not want to see anyone unjustifiably tarnish the image of this outstanding corporate example of what America is supposed to stand for: successful free enterprise! 


realclient

United States of America
The Real "Ripoff"

#4Consumer Suggestion

Thu, March 14, 2013

The only "ripoff" is being perpetrated by this thug customer who is enraged that he could not extort money from a legitimate, honorable, hardworking company. Yes, in my experience Heritage's executives are sometimes arrogant and pompous, but so are all other corporate executives. That does not make them felonious or even unethical. I am officially jumping on the bandwagon with those who defend what America is truly about: An honest, successful, rags-to-riches company!

The five unique complaints about Heritage that were posted on this website were written by nearly-illiterate, bottom-of-the-socioeconomic-ladder crybabies who seem to think that Heritage is in business to royally cater to their every uninformed whim, fallacy, and misconception. I do not believe that a gargantuan auction firm like Heritage would risk damaging their stellar reputation just to cheat these small-time losers out of their virtually worthless junk. 

I suspect that what is really going on is that five obsessed wackos who have failed miserably at life (versus the satisfied 700,000-plus Heritage customers) did not get their backsides kissed during their minuscule transactions with Heritage, so they are unfairly trashing this outstanding company just to fuel the emotional void created by their failed extortion schemes. Several wealthy friends and I are longtime customers of Heritage, yet have never experienced any difficulties. Nobody with an IQ above 70 would take seriously the obviously suspect charges made against Heritage, a firm with an unblemished reputation amongst both heavy hitters and small spenders alike. 


ClaudeP

United States of America
Heritage Is An Honest Company

#5Consumer Comment

Tue, March 12, 2013

My name is Claude P****. I have done untold millions of dollars in business with Heritage, both buying and selling, since the 1980's. I have usually dealt through agents; Heritage barely even knows who I am! A quick check reveals that I have personally placed bids with Heritage that total over $4 million since 2009, but my actual bids through representatives are well into nine figures. Neither I nor my agents have ever been cheated by Heritage. Ditto for several collector and dealer friends whom I know quite well.

I suspect that William's problem - if it is real - may have been caused by Federal Express. It is entirely possible that William's package was slit open and resealed whilst in Fed Ex's custody. You should not blame Heritage for that. Why would Heritage cheat you out of your measly consignment, knowing that it would tarnish their fabulous reputation? That is, if your complaint is even genuine and you are not lying, possibly because you are a shill for a sleazy competitor.

Heritage has sold several billion dollars worth of collectibles at auction, so it is extremely difficult to believe that they would defraud anyone, especially for such a small amount of money. Heritage currently has dealt with millions of customers, so why should anyone believe that one person was cheated and deceived by them? I shall continue to spend untold millions with Heritage and ignore unproven, libelous allegations. Actions (my actual transactions with Heritage) scream louder than words from someone I do not even know and whose story sounds like a fairy tale. 


gordonanalytic

chelmsford,
Massachusetts,
United States of America
Auction house issues

#6Consumer Comment

Thu, January 10, 2013

If a large auction house treats you with little respect then take your business elsewhere. There are plenty of alternatives. Rather than deal with Texas con-men... For sports items I think very highly of Hunt Auctions, Memory Lane, Robert Edward, SCP, RR Auction, Goodwin, Mile High, Lelands, Huggins & Scott, Legendary, among others. 


A.C. Robinson

Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Never had a probelm with HA

#7Consumer Comment

Wed, November 28, 2012

I've been a buyer at Heritage for 2 years now and wanted to add to the support of their transparency, helpfulness, and my total satisfaction with them. If I've ever had a minor issue with needing another invoice or paying late they've been helpful and respectful and I usually hear back from them same day, or the next at the most when I contact them with a concern.

I also attempted to look into consigning with them. It was a single item, rather low value, which I knew going in but wanted to test consigning out. They very politely told me it wasn't high enough in value to warrant auction by itself, and totally explained in depth why, and I was glad I inquried none the less for the info. 

From buying at no fewer than 4 different major online auction houses I also know (as some consumers here have complained) why Heritage's initial item values are usually much lower than a consigner feels it should be. It's not a pawn shop, what they simply do is give you the base value of an item as is. All auction houses values are lower than most hammer sale prices, it's the way they operate. It's a practice designed to give consigners a realistic monetary value they can expected to get no matter what. Usually the prices climb during bidding, but that obviously can't be guarenteed or factored in before hand, thus why the only give their base value. 

My collection is all strictly old Hollywood based, all 1930's-1960's. And $650 for a parasol from Gone With The Wind is actually slightly higher a price than I would have expected it to sell for. Considering the item was likely used briefly and by a extra (not a primary actor or even character actor- because such people are known by collector's and always named in the auction details), and especially because there's no way to verify if it ended up in the actualy print film or not. GWTW was such a huge production there are thousands of props and costumes from it, some go to auction on almost a yearly basis, if not more often. 

Also, although I'm a frequent buyer I haven't spent more than several thousand dollars with them, a pitifully low amount compared to their millions in sales. And even me a little lowly buyer is treated like a king. They have also sent items out for me before I got around to paying before, since I'm a regular buyer and always pay on the same consistent date. They send me their huge book-sized collectible catalogs for free. And are always super quick in helping if a probelm arises. I've never been treated badly, and not just with respect, but enthusiasm that I'm a customer of theirs, even though a relatively very unimportant one. 

My best advice about any and all auction houses, things that savvy, regular collector's and sellers know: do your research on your collectibles- check other auctions hammer prices, etc., direct item to item sold comparisons (the price of gold doesn't equal how much gold coins will sell at a collector's auction). And always document every step of the consignment process and your items before sending them in photos, descriptions, even get notorized papers, and always document shipping processes and all receipts. That way if you were actually wronged by an auction house you wouldn't need to vent it online, you'd have airtight proof and would be able to follow the proper legal channels instead. 


NH_Seniors

Freedom,
New Hampshire,
United States of America
Is this a pattern?

#8Consumer Comment

Mon, May 14, 2012

Between Feb 2010 and Sept 2012, we submitted around 80 posters to heritage. They sold a few, but now the posters have gone missing. I went looking online to see if there were any others who had experienced the same problem....  although Heritage has a lot of people who believe in it's staff -- my opinion is that someone at Heritage stole our posters. So what the Ripoff Report suggests is true.


M. L

Baltimore,
Maryland,
United States of America
Heritage,

#9Consumer Comment

Wed, April 07, 2010

I am also  a customer of  Heritage and have consigned items in several collectible fields over many years.
I have never had a bad experience or transaction with the several persons I have been pleased to be acquainted
with at this firm.  I would find it difficult to believe the allegations in the complaint!



RICKC

Boca Raton,
Florida,
USA
FRAUD CHARGES ARE SUSPICIOUS and OVERBLOWN

#10Consumer Comment

Mon, March 15, 2010

In the past five years I have sold nearly 100 items through Heritage auctions in Dallas.   These items were valued at well over $1,000,000 with one item alone bringing just under $100,000.   Heritage not only sent a schooled rep to my warehouses, but the also sent two people who helped me catalogue and carefully packed everything into a truck that they paid for and provided.  Everything was account for and I was paid quickly for what had sold and the items that did not sell where quickly returned intact, well packed and fully accounted for.  Under the circumstances, even the largest, most honest auction houses could have easily made mistakes, but Heritage shined through it all and all of their employees were courteous and professional.  This parasol guy sounds a bit unstable and in ill health and he appears to be grossly vindictive about seemingly worthless items.  If Heritage was a rip off company they could have ripped me off 100 different ways.   They did not and I would do business with Heritage again.


Alpha_Flght

United States of America
Heritage Auction an internet pawn shop

#11Consumer Comment

Thu, December 24, 2009

Several time I have sent pictures of my items to Heritage Auctions and each time they come back to me saying my items are worth far less than they actually are.  Example, I have a solid gold Spanish coin from around 1650.  According to Heritage Auctions it is only worth $1000 (which was a huge red flag considering the coin weighs almost an ounce and an ounce of gold on the market alone goes for $1100).  Luckily I found a museum the specializes in Spanish Coins and they informed me it is worth $2500.  Heritage Auctions is nothing more than an online pawn shop.  They lie, cheat, manipulate, and underbid just like every other pawn shop in the world.  Put this place out of business!


Ia

Los Angeles,
California,
U.S.A.
Concerning Doug Norwine

#12Consumer Comment

Sat, April 18, 2009

Hi, I have known Mr. Norwine and his wife for many years. I have done business with Heritage Auctions for just as long. I have never known Mr. Norwine to deceive or even embellish any product. As a matter of fact, sometimes when I ask his opinion about an item I'm interested in at his auction, he will let me know what he really thinks, with a subtle hint, such as .....welllllllll, if you really like it, lol. This man has never tried to steer me in any direction, even when I was pushing hard to get steered. I believe this shows integrity. If he's not crazy about something, he won't hide it........even when he has a customer chomping at the bit to buy it. Over the years I have sent Mr. Norwine many items, and have had some returned. Never a problem. Many times Heritage has sent me items before I've even paid for them. For example, if I want to write a check for the items I've bought, many times the items arrive before I've even sent the check. I know this comes from doing business with a company for a long time, but I feel this is an indication of honesty. Honest people believe most people are honest while crooks believe most people are crooks. I don't believe a crooked company would EVER send something without being paid first. When was the last time you ordered something and received it before paying for it? On a final note. Some of the items I collect are very expensive. I've regularly sent items worth 100K or more. If Mr. Norwine has never taken or lost any of these items.....why would he lose a few photographs? In closing, I feel sorry for the gentleman with Parkinsons.....that can't be pleasant and I hope he finds his items, but with his admissions of memory problems......and my history with Mr. Norwine and Heritage, I felt I had to write and post my experiences. Thank you.


Doug Norwine

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Unfounded defamation of character

#13REBUTTAL Individual responds

Fri, April 17, 2009

It is obvious that anyone with an agenda can write whatever they want and place it on the internet. I believe this Rip Off Report is a valuable service, but it is unfortunate that it can be used for statements that are clearly grounds for defamation of character litigation. Ironically, the last two posters didn't even provide their names. My hope is that whoever reads the previous post will do proper research, check into the Better Business Bureau and see that Heritage has a great record. We are completely transparent and I challenge anyone to provide evidence otherwise. I stand on my reputation and the reputation of Heritage- both of which I am proud. Doug Norwine


Doug Norwine Is A Lying Bastard

NY,
New York,
U.S.A.
Norwine Lies, Shills, Slanders Competitors

#14Consumer Comment

Thu, April 16, 2009

William in Coalinga has Doug Norwine of Heritage pegged exactly right. He's a dressed up con-artist who will lie and shill his a*s off to squeeze a dollar from bidders, and who regularly slanders both major competitors in the auction field as well as individual collectors, rather than face competition in the market. He's a small man who'll surely come back with some self-serving commentary, but he's aware of his business practices and so are the several collectors who have already signed sworn affidavits to this effect. See you in Dallas Superior Court real soon, Doug!


Concerneduser

Port Orange,
Florida,
U.S.A.
NORWHINE CAN'T BE TRUSTED AS EVIDENCE SHOWS HE IS A LIAR

#15Consumer Comment

Fri, February 20, 2009

DOUG NORWHINE can't be trusted as has no credabilty based on what I know . Mr Norwhine if my sources are accurate gave away confidential information to an outsider which is totally against HA policy that line about the biggest auction house is actually the same line that the guys at Enron and MCI used before going bankrupt and their leaders going to jail. YOU ARE A CROOK IN MY OPINION Mr. Norwhine and can't be trusted. just cause you are the biggest means squat as Enron was the largest and so was Bernie Maddoff and their leaders are in jail . Any more Commets Doug ?


Doug Norwine

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Rebuttal from Doug Norwine

#16REBUTTAL Individual responds

Thu, February 19, 2009

I am Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment at Heritage Auction Galleries. When this report was posted on September 3, 2007, by William, it upset me. I was advised that the best policy to adhere to when someone posts a gross untruth online is to ignore it. I heeded that advice, but since this report is still very visible online two years later, I feel a need to respond. William had sent a CD with images of all the items he writes about to another category head at Heritage. Eventually the CD was passed on to me. My associate and I agreed that the only piece that could have good value was the parasol. I contacted William about it, and there was a considerable amount of time that went as William and his wife decided whether or not to consign with Heritage. We all had numerous phone calls discussing this. Finally, as my consignment deadline loomed, I urged William to send the items via Fed Ex ASAP. William sent a standard Fed Ex box to the Heritage address and to my attention. When anything arrives at my company, it first goes to the shipping department, just as William's box did. It was signed for by Mr. McClenny, who was working in shipping. Later that day, it was delivered to me, and I had to personally sign for it. I did, and when I opened the package, the total contents were the parasol, a towel it was wrapped in, and some bubble wrap. The way the parasol was packed would not have allowed for anything else to be put in that box, plus the documented Fed Ex shipping weight of the box was exactly what a parasol, towel, and additional wrap would weigh. The other memorabilia was not in that box and I never received a second box at any previous or further date. I discussed this with William and his wife telephonically several times, and I was always polite and respectful. On several occasions, I suggested he look around his house to see if he had misplaced the rest of the items. Again, I was always respectful in my tone and my manner. The write-up of the parasol was done by my catalogers, and, as is the practice at Heritage, each consignor is emailed or snail mailed the full description of each lot, much in advance of the publishing of the catalog. If William found a mistake in the description and reported it to us, we would have changed it immediately. In fact, he did not contact us about the description. My associate and I at Heritage also found that William's demeanor was not consistent during the various telephone calls we had with him. He could go from nice to angry on a dime, and this was slightly disconcerting. As William said, the parasol sold for $650. We had determined from the CD he sent that that the parasol was the item with the highest value, so I won't comment on his valuation of the rest of the memorabilia we never received. The reason Heritage sells over $550 million of collectibles per year and is the world's largest collectible auction house is because we have integrity and treat our customers with the utmost respect. When any mistake is made on our part, we make it right, and the collecting world knows this. In this case, outside of the possibility that the description of the parasol could have been changed if William had alerted us, there was no further mistake made. All we ever received from William was the parasol; we sold it, and he was paid. End of story. Doug Norwine [email protected] 214-409-1452


Doug Norwine

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Rebuttal from Doug Norwine

#17REBUTTAL Individual responds

Thu, February 19, 2009

I am Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment at Heritage Auction Galleries. When this report was posted on September 3, 2007, by William, it upset me. I was advised that the best policy to adhere to when someone posts a gross untruth online is to ignore it. I heeded that advice, but since this report is still very visible online two years later, I feel a need to respond. William had sent a CD with images of all the items he writes about to another category head at Heritage. Eventually the CD was passed on to me. My associate and I agreed that the only piece that could have good value was the parasol. I contacted William about it, and there was a considerable amount of time that went as William and his wife decided whether or not to consign with Heritage. We all had numerous phone calls discussing this. Finally, as my consignment deadline loomed, I urged William to send the items via Fed Ex ASAP. William sent a standard Fed Ex box to the Heritage address and to my attention. When anything arrives at my company, it first goes to the shipping department, just as William's box did. It was signed for by Mr. McClenny, who was working in shipping. Later that day, it was delivered to me, and I had to personally sign for it. I did, and when I opened the package, the total contents were the parasol, a towel it was wrapped in, and some bubble wrap. The way the parasol was packed would not have allowed for anything else to be put in that box, plus the documented Fed Ex shipping weight of the box was exactly what a parasol, towel, and additional wrap would weigh. The other memorabilia was not in that box and I never received a second box at any previous or further date. I discussed this with William and his wife telephonically several times, and I was always polite and respectful. On several occasions, I suggested he look around his house to see if he had misplaced the rest of the items. Again, I was always respectful in my tone and my manner. The write-up of the parasol was done by my catalogers, and, as is the practice at Heritage, each consignor is emailed or snail mailed the full description of each lot, much in advance of the publishing of the catalog. If William found a mistake in the description and reported it to us, we would have changed it immediately. In fact, he did not contact us about the description. My associate and I at Heritage also found that William's demeanor was not consistent during the various telephone calls we had with him. He could go from nice to angry on a dime, and this was slightly disconcerting. As William said, the parasol sold for $650. We had determined from the CD he sent that that the parasol was the item with the highest value, so I won't comment on his valuation of the rest of the memorabilia we never received. The reason Heritage sells over $550 million of collectibles per year and is the world's largest collectible auction house is because we have integrity and treat our customers with the utmost respect. When any mistake is made on our part, we make it right, and the collecting world knows this. In this case, outside of the possibility that the description of the parasol could have been changed if William had alerted us, there was no further mistake made. All we ever received from William was the parasol; we sold it, and he was paid. End of story. Doug Norwine [email protected] 214-409-1452


Doug Norwine

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Rebuttal from Doug Norwine

#18REBUTTAL Individual responds

Wed, February 18, 2009

I am Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment at Heritage Auction Galleries. When this report was posted on September 3, 2007, by William, it upset me. I was advised that the best policy to adhere to when someone posts a gross untruth online is to ignore it. I heeded that advice, but since this report is still very visible online two years later, I feel a need to respond. William had sent a CD with images of all the items he writes about to another category head at Heritage. Eventually the CD was passed on to me. My associate and I agreed that the only piece that could have good value was the parasol. I contacted William about it, and there was a considerable amount of time that went as William and his wife decided whether or not to consign with Heritage. We all had numerous phone calls discussing this. Finally, as my consignment deadline loomed, I urged William to send the items via Fed Ex ASAP. William sent a standard Fed Ex box to the Heritage address and to my attention. When anything arrives at my company, it first goes to the shipping department, just as William's box did. It was signed for by Mr. McClenny, who working in shipping. Later that day, it was delivered to me, and I had to personally sign for it. I did, and when I opened the package, the total contents were the parasol, a towel it was wrapped in, and some bubble wrap. The way the parasol was packed would not have allowed for anything else to be put in that box, plus the documented Fed Ex shipping weight of the box was exactly what a parasol, towel, and additional wrap would weigh. The other memorabilia was not in that box and I never received a second box at any previous or further date. I discussed this with William and his wife telephonically several times, and I was always polite and respectful. On several occasions, I suggested he look around his house to see if he had misplaced the rest of the items. Again, I was always respectful in my tone and my manner. The write-up of the parasol was done by my catalogers, and, as is the practice at Heritage, each consignor is emailed or snail mailed the full description of each lot, much in advance of the publishing of the catalog. If William found a mistake in the description and reported it to us, we would have changed it immediately. In fact, he did not contact us about the description. My associate and I at Heritage also found that William's demeanor was not consistent during the various telephone calls we had with him. He could go from nice to angry on a dime, and this was slightly disconcerting. As William said, the parasol sold for $650. We had determined from the CD he sent that that the parasol was the item with the highest value, so I won't comment on his valuation of the rest of the memorabilia we never received. The reason Heritage sells over $550 million of collectibles per year and is the world's largest collectible auction house is because we have integrity and treat our customers with the utmost respect. When any mistake is made on our part, we make it right, and the collecting world knows this. In this case, outside of the possibility that the description of the parasol could have been changed if William had alerted us, there was no further mistake made. All we ever received from William was the parasol; we sold it, and he was paid. End of story.

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