[Drew Alcazar]

Hello Motion68,

From an idealistic standpoint, I very much agree with you. Where things start to get “sticky” is when the Auction House, in any way what so ever, begins to involve itself in the representation process (from writing descriptive text, to implementing research, to initiating disclosure measures) we then are placed in a position of liability and responsibility for the integrity of the transaction. Very true, we benefit a great deal from this transaction (in almost 20 pages of posting, I never heard any one mention that we had significant commissions on the table over this deal that completely disappeared when it went south) so there is indeed tremendous value to the auction company to ensure that a car is correctly represented so that a deal “sticks” and we can pay some bills with the applicable commissions.

To that end, and with a very pragmatic and “realistic” perspective, I would very much enjoy a conversation and suggestions as to how we can provide this measure of accountability without exposing my company to undue liability. By contract, we have specific provisions that address this to some extent, but as we all know, there are numerous ways to be “duped” either maliciously or unknowingly by a seller.

I think the very best scenario has been inviting (and many times we do) known authorities in the hobby to attend our sales. Galen Govier for example has been a tremendous help, as has Kevin Marti, Ed Meyer, Jim Wicks, etc. There are also many organizations that have lots of archived information. Look at the Shelby American Automobile Club for example. The larger question is, how can any auction house scrutinize hundreds of cars when so much of what our discussion has been about in this instance requires some degree of dismantling?

Just to cross-reference the Ford VIN number (on file with SAAC) requires the removal of the Shelby SFM VIN Tag. Some could argue that simply drilling the rivets out could be an illegal act, but can you image if I accidentally slipped when drilling them out and let my Makita slide across a freshly restored fender? Yikes!

I am already in the process of re-painting the cowl panel off the silver Camaro we have been discussing as it was scratched to hell from removing the wipers and then tossed in the trunk by the defaulting buyer. Here we go again, another couple of hundred bucks to ‘fix’ something following shipping charges, entry fees, lost commissions, and two upset clients. No problem Drew, just keep smiling…

As you can see from just these two scenarios (one hypothetical and one sadly very real) getting involved with this level of discovery by the Auction House has some real serious liability associated with it.

So the question is: how do we provide some level of assurances to our buyers (over and above what is stipulated by contract) – maintain a ‘level playing field’ for all – and not open our selves up for tremendous risk while still fulfilling the objective of what we all want: Honesty.

Lord knows we work pretty hard to deliver to our bidders the very best level of customer service I know of. From Josephine’s killer food buffets in Scottsdale to full coverage insurance binders from Grundy Worldwide to offering free shipping for 6+ purchases, not to mention our block being reserved only for credentialed clients, I believe this evidence clearly demonstrates how much Russo and Steele values their Bidders.

I am open to suggestions on how to address providing an additional level of protection to our buyers. These discussion forums are great tools to “hear what the hobby has to say” – learn, adjust and continually work to improve our level of service and integrity.

I will look forward to realistic and constructive comments and suggestions. We are all stronger together than we are apart.

Drew Alcazar