DISPUTES NOT RESOLVED

Disappointing. 15 Dec 2022 I gave Bernardi Auctioneers proxy to sell on my behalf all items they collected from my home.

The proxy was given to them based on my decades experience with Bernardi Auctioneers as a buyer that gave me confidence that they had the most expertise knowledge and integrity in this field and my items were in the best hands to obtain decent prices, or the items would be carried over to a following sale if unreasonable price were obtained.

Some items were general cheaper items, all in working order, and fair to good condition, several larger furniture items, some high price collectable items, various art work, designer furniture, Persian Carpets, etc.

The selling of items started in early January 2023 and payments for sold items were accompanied with detailed statements via Email in Pdf format.

In the beginning, sales of high priced items, I was called to confirm the price offered is acceptable to me, Eg. King-size Xtra Lenght Latex base set bed, and later in the year, Dec 23, for an offer on a black piano finished Design Benedict 6 door side cupboard, from a walk-in customer. Apart from these two items, I was never contacted again for any other high price items.

It is understandable the same procedures could not be followed for small's and cheaper items.

Periodically after the sale of my items, it was followed up with statements and payments.

I started receiving payments and statements for items sold that were of high value, worth a couple of thousand Rands items, but only received a rediculous couple of hundred Rands. I queried these items numerous times telephonic and via Email, WhatsApp and in person. The items in dispute were never discussed or resolved, nor did I get answers to my questions.

We now at 7 October 2024, 22 months since commencement date, and these disputes and discrepency has not been addressed or resolved, nor has our transaction been mutually concluded.

Back-forth endless communication with promises made and not kept, left me unfairly frustrated, distressed and anguished.

Surprise, surprise, the moment the HelloPeter.com post went live I very quickly got a phone call, not to engage how we could resolve the disputes and unpaid items, but to threaten me with legal action if I don't remove this review.

I was assured they would resolve any disputes and unpaid items, if I would please give them an opportunity to do so, and remove this review.

I obliged their request giving them the benefit of my doubt and removed my review, only to be subjected to the same delay tactics as was done before.

Therefor, here I am back to posting my review after promises and commitments weren't kept.

The admin tracking, billing, payments and statements issued were sporadic and very difficult to figure out and track which of my items were sold and at what price. Most initial statements were send via Email in PDF format, and then suddenly some statements was send via WhatsApp in Jpeg format, making it difficult for me to recon.

I eventually had to create a spreadsheet to see what the status is on all my items.

I shared this spreadsheet with them via Email to help them navigate through what was sold, what was still outstanding and what items I am disputing.

Eg: A particular high price item received an offer from a walk-in customer (not on auction). This offer was relayed to me telephonic, I propsed a counter offer which was accepted. When I received a payment (without a statement) for this particular item, the amount I received was nor the accepted counter price, but a price even less than the original offered price. I brought this under their attention more than 8 months ago, and to date it has still not been rectified.

In this type of business there is a level of blind trust given to the company.

The trust that was cultivated over many decades as a buyer, was betrayed with this one last transaction whereby I am this time round the seller.

😡😖🧐