Complaint / Review
Northwest Auctions
Bait & switch auction ripoff

I was a bidder at a live aution held by Northwest Auctions on June 2.

I was the winning bidder against 2 other bidders. I was given detailed instructions and even had a practice bidding before the real auction. I was required to give a 20k check and told if I won the bid I would have to pay the rest within 20days or loose my check.
The advertised bidding started at $180,000. I live in the neighborhood and a week prior recieved by mail a post card giving details of the auction. A lot of the information was mis-leading and down right inacurate. Regardless of this I attend the auction. Many signs had been placed weeks before the auction in the neighborhood and on the main streets leading to the house including a huge sign in front of the house.

Of all the people attending including myself only 3 people bid. I won the bid at $220,000. Going once, going twice, sold! The others left while I signed paperwork.

I bought this house for my daughter recently engaged who also attended. She was thrilled and crying happy tears. After I signed and after everyone left I was told by the autioneer that the owner refused the auction price and that I would not be getting the house for my high bid. We were devistated and couldnt understand after all we were at an Auction?

I asked why? I was told that the fine print stated that the owner could refuse the high bid price. I asked if there was a reserve on this aution and told "no". That the owner had bought the house for $280,000 and put some money into it fixing it up and that the starting bid was $180,000 and high bid was $380,000, meaning the owner expected to get $380,000 from auction.

I view this as a "Bait and Switch" Auction. Bait people with the price and mis leading information on the post card and on their web site then after all was said and done refused sale.

BEWARE of these shifty buisness practices. My family is very hurt and wasted a lot of time and emotion with these people!

We recieved NO apologies or understanding from Northwest Auctions and acted like we were the crimials here.
I hope this report helps keep someone else from going through this, its an awful feeling!