***BUYER BEWARE!!!***

Pafal2011

!!! BUYER BEWARE !!! I purchased a supposed Authenticated Nirvana Band Signed Photograph from Heritage Auctions during COVID-19. Once the Country was opened from the Virus I brought it to a Reputable authenticator "JSA James Spence Authentication" it was found to be FAKE NOT REAL NOT SIGNED by the Band as it was Advertised! I requested a refund, supplying Heritage with all documentation they requested and they still will not offer a Refund! The associates Diana, Becky and Diane who is the assistant to the CEO Steve Ivy are Rude, Condescending and lack compassion!!! This was my experience with this world wide company which I think is TERRIBLE!!!

Pafal2011

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Relaxn

Did you pay via credit card/PayPal? File a claim.

Yes, I absolutely despise Heritage Auctions.

JBK

I have no experience with them. But, if they are like most auction houses they are the agent between buyer and seller. You did not say how much time elapsed between the sale and your authentication but perhaps that was the issue.

Also, when you bid, what sort of authentication was there on it? If it was not reputable or identified then I would have passed.

Hydrant

Get a third opinion.

LarkinCollector

There are many reasons not to bid with Heritage, this one is one huge red flag for me ...
21.The Auctioneer, its affiliates, or their employees consign items to be sold in the Auction, and may bid on those lots or any other lots.

Another gem ...
17.Lots bearing bidding estimates shall open at Auctioneer’s discretion (generally 40%-60% of the low estimate). In the event that no bid meets or exceeds that opening amount, the lot shall pass as unsold or the Auctioneer may place a protective bid on behalf of the consignor.

REF: https://www.ha.com/c/ref/terms-and-conditions.zx?view=terms

@JBK said:
But, if they are like most auction houses they are the agent between buyer and seller.

Given the above, they are unlike most auction houses as there are no lines between employee/buyer/seller and a single individual could easily be all three.

JBK

Yikes. Shill bidding opportunities built right in.

LarkinCollector

Best wishes on a successful resolution with the CC claim. Sadly, this doesn't surprise me.

Pafal2011

Thanks Everyone!!! The amount paid was $6000 ouch that hurts not pennies! I paid with CC and filed a claim. The picture came with a Heritage Certification which I thought would be Good! I shop with R&R Auctions and Iconic Auctions and they are Good even when giving house cert.

DeutscherGeist

@Pafal2011 said:
Thanks Everyone!!! The amount paid was $6000 ouch that hurts not pennies! I paid with CC and filed a claim. The picture came with a Heritage Certification which I thought would be Good! I shop with R&R Auctions and Iconic Auctions and they are Good even when giving house cert.

It came with a Heritage Certification and Heritage Auctions, itself, will not make you whole when you have a third party expert claiming its a fake? This sounds like a slam dunk case in your favor. Good luck with your claim. This is one of the best reasons to use a credit card for a major purchase.

291fifth

I'm surprised people are willing to pay that kind of money for autographs of anything. There are just too many variables in the autograph market. Is it actually signed by the person claimed? Is it a secretary signature? Is it an autopen signature? Is it just a mass printed signature? Is it an outright fake? Actual signatures can vary considerably as a person ages or experiences medical issues and they also vary a great deal depending on how rushed the signer was. This is also the age of the unreadable "scribble" signature. (Why anyone wants "scribble" signatures mystifies me.)

Panama Mutiny (Formerly lawyer05)

i guess HEritage Certification is NO NO

Hydrant

6k? Wow! Now I understand why you might be just a little upset.

Panama Mutiny (Formerly lawyer05)

u figure Heritage was reputable. An autograph is as good as his cert.