Active since Mar 2018
They installed quickly, which I appreciate. I paid the installation fee and other fees in advance, which is no problem. Then I get an invoice from them that does does not acknowledge the payment. I have to call to confirm that I do not owe anything. I would kindly ask that they send out invoices that record my payments correctly.
I write this review with some reluctance, because I do not want to be unfair to the business. But 5th Avenue Auctioneers in Johannesburg has a serious problem with the security guard at the gate and it quite takes away from the lovely building, the excellent items for sale, and the very polite and informed staff inside. Here is my story. This Thursday around 3:45, February 14, 2019 (Valentine’s day) my partner called to see if we could stop by and view early some of the items about to go on auction. The items were likely quite expensive, and we wanted a close inspection. The staff said yes, they were open, we could view to 5:00. My partner arrived first, parking inside the gate. Apparently, the guard was quite sullen, but opened the gate as required. I then arrived with a business associate, dropped off by an Uber. It was raining. I waived to the guard. He refused to get up off his chair against the building. I asked, can he let us in? He shook his head. I asked are you open? He then came and stood, with us in the rain, and explained that I would have to go to Sandton to another shop. This was odd, because my partner's car was parked right inside the gate. I tried to explain that my partner was here, and asked again if I could go in. He said no and told me to go away in an angry voice. I called my partner who then came outside. My partner nicely explained to the guard that the place was open, and the staff said we could go in. He still would not open. I said to my partner, "ask the manager what is going on." The guard then opened the gate, only at the mention of the manager, and went on to tell me that when he tells me to go, I need to go and that I am not in charge here and on and on. He seemed threatening, but I was unimpressed. Bullying doesn’t nor, should it work with anyone. We walked in and I asked the young lady at the counter if we were in fact correct to show up and view things. Were they in fact open? She said yes, please go ahead. I explained the situation at the gate. After viewing the items, on the way out I wondered if in fact we were safe to get to our car. In the car lot the gate was still open, and the guard was talking to a couple of apparently homeless people (such as stand at the robots). Nothing wrong with that of course but talking to them and looking at us as we got in the car and drove off made me wonder what else the guard was planning. That’s why I give one star. The experience was awful. I am an academic and I deal with all types all the time, patiently. But this was beyond the pale. I think 5th Avenue Auctioneers need to hire, train and supervise the employees under their charge. It was quite disconcerting and in fact, may have escalated into a very dangerous situation. Besides of course, turning art collectors away. ¬
While I was very excited to join the auction offerred by Old Johannesburg Warehouse, I was unfortunately taken for a ride and lost 7,000 rand from this outfit. They were selling what appeared to be a wooden historical handcrafted model ship of the highest quality. It was in a case. Foolishly neither I nor other bidders demanded it be taken out of its case and examined closely. The auctioneer described it as taking two years for a craftsman to make, with exquisite detail. Everyone assumed it was wooden. Here is the catch. They did not use the word wooden in the description, which means they knew it was merely a plastic model. But they used descriptive language that made it sound like it was wooden. I bought it. But all I ended up with was a cheap plastic model, the kind that kids and hobbyists have been making for decades. They should have honestly told the audience what it was. It would still have sold, though obviously not for as much. I am very disappointed in this outfit. I really thought they were of a higher caliber than this.
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