Midwest Auction Galleries

Midwest Auction Galleries sold my items last year, and, as of today, I still have not received their payments.



On December 13, 2013, I shipped 21 items to Midwest Auction Galleries as described and listed in my cover letter. In January 2014, Midwest Auction Galleries returned 5 items to me. Subsequently, I received a letter from Midwest Auction Galleries (dated January 9, 2014) thanking me for consigning with them, and the letter enclosed a list of my 16 items with descriptions.



My 16 items were put up for auction in their Fine & Decorative Arts Auction on January 25, 2014. As the auction was held simultaneously on Liveauctioneers, I was able to find out that 12 of my 16 items were sold. The sale results are still shown online.



Following their January 25, 2014 auction, Midwest Auction Galleries sent me a letter (dated February 17, 2014) informing me that my 4 unsold items would be included in their auction on March 15, 2014, and the letter enclosed a list of my 4 unsold items with descriptions. Again, I was able to find out on Liveauctioneers that my 4 unsold items were sold on March 15, 2014. The sale results are still shown online.



According to our agreed terms, Midwest Auction Galleries was supposed to pay me 45 days after an auction (minus 20% commission & minus 1% insurance). Despite my numerous requests for payments via emails and phone calls since September 2014, Midwest Auction Galleries chose to ignore my requests. In early December 2014, they even stopped answering my phone calls.



Besides, two of my previously unsold items (from early 2013) were sold on December 15, 2013, and I still have not received payment for these two items. Prior to their December 15, 2013 auction, I received a letter (enclosed a list of the two items with descriptions) from Midwest Auction Galleries (dated December 4, 2013) informing me that the two items would be included in their December 14 & 15, 2013 auction, and the sale results are still shown online.



Since September 2014, I have sent a number of emails requesting for payments to Jim Amato (owner), Christine (Sales Department), Brian and Patrice (Fine & Decorative Arts Department). Also, I have spoken with Christine and Brian a few times on the phone regarding my request for payments. However, I have never been able to get in touch with Jim Amato, and Jim Amato has never replied to my emails.



The total amount owed to me is $3,495.75 ($4,425 less 21%). Please note that I have copies of all the correspondences including emails and letters, and the original letters from Midwest Auction Galleries. I also have pictures to prove that those 18 sold items are mine.



On December 11, 2014, I filed a complaint with the Office of Attorney General (AG) of Michigan. On December 17, 2014, the AG's Consumer Protection Division sent a letter to Midwest Auction Galleries on my behalf requesting them to respond to my complaint. A second letter was sent to them in January 2015. Unfortunately, as of today, Midwest Auction Galleries has failed to respond to the AG's Consumer Protection Division.



On February 5, 2015, I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Detroit & Eastern Michigan. On the same day, the BBB sent them a letter requesting for their response. Unfortunately, Midwest Auction Galleries has still not responded to the BBB, and the BBB will soon close my file. My complaint will be reflected on Midwest Auction Galleries' BBB Reliability Report with the following language: "The company failed to respond either to the consumer or the Bureau to the complaint(s) filed."



To learn more about the dark side of Midwest Auction Galleries, please contact the AG of Michigan (517-373-1140) and the BBB of Detroit & Eastern Michigan (248-223-9400) to verify the above complaints and inquire about other complaints.



I hereby declare that what is stated above is true to the best of my knowledge.