The Artifact Company?

[fishingandfirearms]

I was looking at some of the past auctions from The Artifact Company. It seems that most of the things they offer sell for much lower than the estimated price range. I thought this might be because they have a reputation for selling fakes.

Can anyone give me some reviews of The Artifact Company? Is this a reputable auction house? Thanks.

[Jack Bates]

The problem in talking about anyone in a negative manner on a forum like this is that you can open yourself up to liable. If you do not fell good about buying from someone I would not buy from that someone.

[joshuaream]

Personally, I don't have any issues with Alex.

[fishingandfirearms]

Originally Posted by Jack Bates

The problem in talking about anyone in a negative manner on a forum like this is that you can open yourself up to liable. If you do not fell good about buying from someone I would not buy from that someone.

I can see where you're coming from. When it comes to artifacts, and the real vs fake debate I guess it all comes down to opinions of experts, and we all know experts can’t always agree.

I do however feel that an auction house should fall under a different category and be open to forum criticism (my opinion only). All the sales are final so people buying from them have to feel they are buying from a place that is reputable. Forums seem like a great place to build a positive image for an auction house and also a way to weed out the bad guys.

Over at a gun forum I frequent often, reviews of companies are a big part of making it one of the industries with the best customer service. Companies even make their own screen names and reply to complaints, usually resolve it through forum posts.

[drdave514]

I've not found it to be in the best interest(money) of any auction house to make sure of the authentication of anything. Even though having some things slip through will hurt their reputation. One reason I would not buy without being able to really look something over in person.

[fishingandfirearms]

Originally Posted by drdave514

I've not found it to be in the best interest(money) of any auction house to make sure of the authentication of anything. Even though having some things slip through will hurt their reputation. One reason I would not buy without being able to really look something over in person.

That's good information. I was under the impression that each auction house had a authenticator who screened the items so they sell only authentic. I've been watching to much Pawn Stars, and Auction Kings.

[drdave514]

There was an auction here a few weeks ago but I didn't go due to work. I've already heard back that "there were a lot of fakes".

I'm sure some auction houses are much better than others.

[uttrbo]

For better or worse, everything in this auction is screened by Bill Jackson and if it's not listed as having his paper, one can be had if so requested. Furthermore, I know papered items from other well regarded authenticators have been turned down for consignment if Alex/Bill weren't comfortable with it. If the piece is papered, best you like it and/or trust that authenticator because that sale is final. However if the piece is not papered, the sale is not final for a specific time period. There is an extensive list of authenticators from which one may choose to submit the piece. But as you pointed out previously, all authentication comes down to opinions and these will sometimes differ. So if one chooses to buy non papered artifacts, certainly it's highly advisable to either be convinced of its' authenticity ones' self or have a trusted authenticator to examine the artifact. To the best of my knowledge all of the better known auction houses operate pretty much this way.

As to selling below estimated price, look at the big picture. A lot of these items are consigned and the seller wants top dollar and the auction house operates on commission so they want top dollar as well. Now with that in mind if you're the auction house are you going to estimate value high or low?

[fishingandfirearms]

Originally Posted by uttrbo

For better or worse, everything in this auction is screened by Bill Jackson and if it's not listed as having his paper, one can be had if so requested. Furthermore, I know papered items from other well regarded authenticators have been turned down for consignment if Alex/Bill weren't comfortable with it. If the piece is papered, best you like it and/or trust that authenticator because that sale is final. However if the piece is not papered, the sale is not final for a specific time period. There is an extensive list of authenticators from which one may choose to submit the piece. But as you pointed out previously, all authentication comes down to opinions and these will sometimes differ. So if one chooses to buy non papered artifacts, certainly it's highly advisable to either be convinced of its' authenticity ones' self or have a trusted authenticator to examine the artifact. To the best of my knowledge all of the better known auction houses operate pretty much this way.

As to selling below estimated price, look at the big picture. A lot of these items are consigned and the seller wants top dollar and the auction house operates on commission so they want top dollar as well. Now with that in mind if you're the auction house are you going to estimate value high or low?

Thanks for the reply. This is the kind of info I was wanting to here. I'm still pretty green when it comes to buying artifacts. Thanks again.

[Aboman]

Here's some more helpful general info.
Most auction houses will sell whatever they think they can sell to their customers. So you need a guarantee. Without a real guarantee, a buyer could be falling prey to a common scam- a guarantee that says if an artifact is papered, it is yours, is not much of a guarantee at all. If you buy a piece from your backyard with Joe Schmoe papers on it, and you get it and you don't like it, that is no guarantee. The only guarantee is that the auction house will get your money.
You asked a specific question which cannot really be answered in a public forum, as Jack said. A person can put up smiley positive comments if they want, but negative comments will probably, from past experiences, get met with threats of lawsuits. It's sorta like standing out front of Taco Smell with big signs saying how much their food sux. They don't like it, even if it is true. And yes, there are some real stinkers in artifact sales.