Bonhams Skinner

Franziska

Ongoing issues with this company continue to get worse. Lack of professionalism, poor communication and others. Will not work with them any more after decades.

ImNot ChevyChase

I have been in the auction business since 1972; I have been a client of Skinner's since 1988... The auction business is a tough one - because the vast majority of people do not understand the process. First, the items are received from the consignor; Then they are described and photographed for the auction; Then they are put in storage pending the auction; Then they prepared (dusted, polished and the like) are exhibited before the auction; Then they are arranged for efficient delivery after the auction; Then they are offered for auction; Then the buyers must make payment and arrange for pick-up and delivery... Those that are not paid for immediately must then be stored once again... Then, after full payment is made; the consignors are paid... As you can see, this is a labor intensive; time consuming' multi-step process involving several different departments... Much more often than not, things go smoothly. The moment they don't; the consignors and buyers that do not 'Get' the process begin to complain. IF you are selling something and the exact timing of payment is required, discuss that with your receiver and/or the head of the Department in advance. I am sure that something can be arranged... IF you are trying to buy something, and take it with you, you will HAVE TO make arrangements in advance. Otherwise your check purchases will be held until your check clears... And I cannot tell you how often checks have to be redeposited several times before they clear, BUT, it is quite common in this business, as some buyers attempt to sell their purchases quickly to cover their checks...

Andrew Gorski

Skinner responded to my original review, posted below. In an email, a Skinner rep asked "if there was anything we could assist you with." I called back and am still waiting for a response. Skinner collected a premium of $675 from me, the buyer, and $675 from the seller. I purchased the item for $2700. So, for the combined $1350 premium that Skinner collected you might expect a best practices policy in customer service of responding to a client's concern. Compare Heritage Auctions charging me $8 for shipping a coin purchase from Dallas to Richmond. while Skinner's recommended shipper charged me $148. Skinner ignores a client once they bank the premium and presume their tackiness will be forgotten. Maybe not. Ms Keane should restore integrity to the shabby and indifferent actions of Skinner's customer service. I bought two lots of coins for $2700. Skinner recommended an in-house shipper who charged me $148 for shipping about 8 ounces of coins to Richmond VA. I called Skinner to discuss adjusting or rectifying this outrageous charge for shipping. Skinner and a Ms Keane would not return calls to their offices. So sad to see this company turn so cheesy and greedy.

Connor Ryan

I met with a representative from Skinner Inc to appraise and then auction my late uncle's estate, (roughly 75 pieces of furniture and over 100 prints). The early process went smoothly. The Skinner employee arrived on time and was courteous and informative during the initial appraisal. He mentioned Skinner would be interested in most but not all of my uncle's pieces, so we scheduled a second meeting to catalog and transport the items. Again, the Skinner employee was punctual and polite, but the truck never arrived. The Skinner employee told me he'd email me a picture of his notes, which he would then write up as a proper catalog. He said he would then email me the catalog. He also said he would email me the direct contact information for the trucking department, so I could schedule the pickup. Then, for no reason that I can discern, all communication ceased. The Skinner employee did not email me the information he promised, nor did he respond to my emails, nor did he respond to my phone calls. It was -- and is! -- still a mystery to me. I have since hired someone else. Short of some plausible explanation of extraordinary circumstances, I will never work with or buy from Skinner Inc.