ComplaintsforMecum Auctions

• Initial Complaint

  02/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased lot k252 on 01/07/2023 via the internet. The pictures attached were either outdated or edited as it did not show the damage that can be clearly seen if new pictures were taken. The camera man also avoided damaged areas. The ad also said the truck came with new 22rims and tires. The rims are not new as they are pitted and extremely scratched. It also said the truck has power windows and locks and the equipment is missing. My mechanic looked over the truck after I broke down on the side of the road. Oil is puking out and leaking everywhere along with other fluids from underneath. The belt shredded on the first test drive and caused radiator fluid to leak out due to missing bolts on the serpentine bracket. The motor is also making rattling noise. I was told it was from a private seller and it ended up being from a dealer. I was truly taken advantage of and surprised Mecum auction would allow false advertisement. I have reached out to the company multiple times via e-mail and have not received any response. I havent even received the title!

  Customer response

  02/03/2023

  I purchased lot k252 on 01/07/2023 via the internet. The pictures attached were either outdated or edited as it did not show the damage that can be clearly seen if new pictures were taken. The camera man also avoided damaged areas. The ad also said the truck came with new 22rims and tires. The rims are not new as they are pitted. It also said the truck has power windows and locks and those do not work. My mechanic looked over the truck after I broke down on the side of the road. Oil is puking out and leaking everywhere along with other fluids from underneath. The belt shredded on the first test drive and caused radiator fluid to leak out. The motor is also making rattling noise. Im so distraught as *** spent my savings on a truck thats going to need a lot of money to get right. I was told it was from a private seller and it ended up being from a dealer. This truck is so unsafe! I was truly taken advantage of. Please help!

  Business response

  03/06/2023

  We have reviewed **************************** concerns with the vehicle that he purchased at auction and have determined that the seller did not misrepresent the vehicle through their description. All vehicles are sold as-is per the Bidders Agreement that ************************ signed. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  KC show, purchased 3 cars. One being a 2016 Porsche Mecan ******* as a clean title car. Got the title and went to the *** to register and they tell me it was a SALVAGE title. Contacted Mecum and they said "We are at the ******** show and wont be back for 2 weeks and I had to wait. After that show, they didn't see anything about it being Salvage. I Spent a 2nd day at the Highway Patrol to verify. They again verified it is a SALVAGE title. This time telling me State Farm salvaged the car in 2015. I called State Farm. State farm VERIFIED it was salvaged in 2015. I told Mecum this information. The next day Mecum tells me they contacted State Farm and State Farm is going to issue a letter saying the meant to remove the salvage branding , a YEAR later. Makes no sense, except!!! State Farm and Mecum are partners, it's in State Farm AND Mecums best interest to protect each other. The Carfax report is a mess. "Hit a Tree, Hit a stationary object, Damage front, left front, left side, left rear, rear, right side. Airbags deployed, Vehicle disabled, Vehicle had to be towed", sure sounds like a total loss to me. In order to apply for a Salvage title in ****** I need the insurance information, repair receipts, Also ****** requires any vehicle with that much damage to be branded salvage within 6 years of the vehicle. This was a 2016, that was totaled BEFORE 2016 in 11/2015. I didn't pay for a salvaged car, It was represented as a Clean title, nothing on this title is clean. 5 dealer transfers in the last 5 months, a super dirty carfax with 2 accidents. I would have never bid if Mecum didn't grossly misrepresent this car. No where does it say salvage title, or dirty carfax. The point of buying from a reputable business like Mecum is to not be lied and taken advantage of.

  Business response

  02/08/2023

  Mecum Auctions contacted ********************** and confirmed that the title provided to him by the seller of this vehicle did not have any branding. Research through running a Carfax Report also showed the title had no current branding. 

  Customer response

  02/09/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below

  
  

  *** with the resolutions team wanted me to be factual with my response, so I will be factual. Mecum auctions sold me a car with a title that has to be registered as a salvage title. He did his own research, and said **** DMV, and some guy in ******** said it was a clean title. He did not however call the state I live in, nor the state that the vehicle was sold to me in. ******** DMV has the car as a total loss, ****** has the car as a total loss, AutoCheck has the car at a total loss. The only people that say the car isn't a total loss is Mecum and CarFax. Not sure where ****** didn't get the memo, but everyone else says this car was a total loss. 

  I asked if they called ******? He said he didn't call ****** because they will dig their heels in and say it's a salvage vehicle. Well, that's the state I live in. "**** will title this as a clean title", are you suggesting I illegally title a vehicle in a state I don't live in? I don't care WHERE will title this salvage car as a clean title, but the state I live in, and the state you sold it in, will not. 

  To add further insult to the damages caused by them, "We no longer want your business, you cannot buy or sell at Mecum auctions".. I WAS BANNED from Mecum auctions because they sold me a car I cannot title. The audacity. Why are they so hard set on this? What is there to gain on their end? *** is treating me like this is some buyers remorse case. The only remorse I have is that it cannot be titled in my state without having it branded as salvage. My wife has wanted this car since 2015, now I could finally afford to buy her one and the only thing we can do is look at it in the driveway. 

  ******** says has to be registered as a salvage vehicle.

  ****** says has to be registered as a salvage vehicle

  Auto check says it was a total loss

  State Farm says they total loss the vehicle in 2015. 

  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  02/17/2023

  We have been been working with ********************** to get the issue he was having with the state of ****** to get the vehicle titled resolved. Today I confirmed that the issue has been resolved and he is willing to confirm so with the BBB.  If you could reach out to ********************** that would be appreciated. 

  Customer response

  02/21/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. There was a title issue, Mecum did resolve it. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  we purchased a **** Chevrolet Convertible Bel Air from mecum auction under the assumption they were a reputable auction house i was a telephone bidder which in their paperwork states we would be given personal phone call and walk around of the vehicle which we never received when asked *********** in resolutions they said i was supposed to call to set that up we were never told that when registering to bid this car was advertised as a frame off restoration being sold from a private collection when i was registering to bid i asked if it was a private collection and not a dealer and was told yes it was a private collection not a dealer this vehicle was sold by a dealer and was no frame off restoration at least from the last 2 decades when asked ***** and *** from Resolutions they said it was a dealer that bought a private collection and he was selling it which is misleading the dealer that sold the vehicle is a classic car dealer and if there wasn't any issues with this vehicle he could have sold on his own lot and he didn't because the vehicle has many problems the only thing *** and ***** in resolutions could say it it was my fault for every issue I brought up the trunk did not even close on this car but Mecum charged us $2300.00 to deliver car and could not even secure the trunk lid from bouncing from ***** to ********** and the transportation bill of lading didn't state trunk didn't close nor did we receive the pictures of the vehicle being loaded like they advertise the convertible top doesn't work and leaked fluid all over the car the carburetor leaks gas there are not rear lights at all the interior smells like mold this car leaks oil from everywhere we purchased this vehicle for $82,500.00 plus $9900.00 commission to mecum $200.00 to register to bid for a total of $92600.00 i have video of car being unloaded and driver stating old gas in car and about the trunk issue this is not to mention the paperwork issues mecum is misleading people

  Business response

  11/23/2022

  ************ purchased Lot S57 at our Dallas **** on Saturday, 9/10/22.  He was an absentee bidder and did not inspect or have anyone inspect the vehicle prior to purchase.  Our Bidder Agreement states that all vehicles are purchased "As is - where is".  The vehicle was not misrepresented.  A copy of the ****** 2022 Bidder Agreement is attached. Please not the terms listed under Auction. 

  Mecum Auctions is not planning to ************ with repairs or a billing adjustment based upon these terms.

  Customer response

  11/23/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Please type your response here.]
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************

  The car was misrepresented it says private collection the car was sold to us by a dealer not a private collectior like they made it seem it say frame of restoration which it wasnt  mecum also stated phone bidder get a one on one walk around of car they did not do  they shipped car with trunk open bouncing from texas to ********** the top doesnt work the rear lights dont work the interior smells like mildew  i have pictures and videos of car being unloaded  and trunk open and there driver stating the trunk doesnt close but he never put it in the vehical bill of lading  it is ashamed that a company this size gets away with cheating there customers and there is noththat we can do  this car was almost 100k  82500 for car **** commission to mecum **** to ship 200 to register to bid  do they really think there is no moral obligation  isnt transportation at least different from buying isnt there transportation insurance for the damage that was done from trunk bouncing  this shows that Mecum doesnt care about anything but the money theymake  how do thehave no responsibility for anything  this istrigbt at all  it is costing me another 90k to have this car repaired right  and all they have to say is its ny fault  they offer services they do not tell you about and exspect you to know everything  how many people read there 25 pages if disclosers  and if your so rebutable why would you need them  also why are they not an honesebough company to tell peopyof the service **** offer  how   

  p

   

  Business response

  11/28/2022

  Based upon the *********************** as acknowledged by ************, Mecum Auctions will not be providing any financial relief to *************

  -- *******************************, Compliance Officer

  Customer response

  12/01/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Please type your response here.

  Mrs *****.  Can how do you feel Mecum has no obligation did i not pay mecum to haul car to ********** from texas. As was stated your driver didnt even put on his bill of lading for shipping that the trunk didnt close but hauled it from texas to ********** with trunk bouncing do you not think it caused any damage at all. He even stated in the video we took of the car being unloaded that he should have secured trunk would you like the unloading video  whats sad is that Mecum really mis represented this car and have do e everything they can to accept no responsibility but they did take a video of the car to adversity but they say they know nothing about the vehicle and then ship car and the driver doesnt put trunk issue on his paperwork how underhanded is that. The thing thats ashsmed is how a company can do this to someone with no Conscience and you yourself representing them. Is like selling your soul to the devil. You might get away with cheating me but ultimately you have a higher power to answer to when your time comes you like Mecum have no integrity. Money is temporary and life is short  you know this is wrong in so many levels   I really hope this same thing happens to you and your family i hope you get to feel whst you obviously do to people on s dairy basis all of you ***** *** all of you with no Conscious or integrity i am going to take this as far as i Legally can someone needs to put a stop to mecum and what they do to people i am sure i am not the only one that has been done wrong by Mecum the seller and Mecums transportation department. Not sure how you can dispute recorded video proof from delivery drivers comments about the trunk if nothing else 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a vehicle which stated to have a 500 mile/ one month warranty and they dont want to honor it. The 2010 *** is leaking many different fluids and alternator is not working. Dont buy from mecum!!

  Business response

  11/17/2022

  Mecum Auctions unwound the sale and ********************* has received a full refund.  This claim should be resolved.

  Customer response

  11/18/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.  Mecum responded in a timely manner and went above and beyond my expectations to resolve the matter. I apologize deeply for saying not to purchase from them. I definitely will be back to Mecum when they return to ******* in 2023. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Mecum sold us a vehicle that was not safe, and had thousands of dollars in repairs needed to even pass inspection.

  Business response

  10/04/2022

  The vehicle in question was purchased for $6,000.  The Seller offered to cover $500 worth of the repair cost and Mecum refunded the Buyer $1,000.00 as a customer courtesy.  All vehicles are purchased 'as is'.  

  Customer response

  10/04/2022

  
  We filed this complaint because we did not receive the $1500 after 3 weeks. But it finally arrived yesterday, and we are now satisfied with the outcome. Thank you.
  Regards,
  
  *****************
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  9-10-2022 Mecum ********************* Bid Placed but not recognized by Mecum online? The Issue I have is with the bidding process. First I was logged in to Mecums online bidding system. I bid on item's - lot S4 and S36 - The real issue was with S-36 a 1932 **** Phaeton all steel original bodied car. I bid from the start of the lot as I bid I was acknowledged online and by the Actioner as internet bidder the bidding was at ****** dollars and the auctioneer asked for ****** dollars I hit the bit button and the autioneer came back and said Sold, won by internet bidder ****** wait I hit the ****** bid or did i win the car at ******. There are two to three issues here Mecum does not acknowledge the bidding or who is winning the bidding firmly? Second the system does not have a way to chat with people online is a real-time fashion when problems like this arise during bids. Third the auctioneers go way to fast this item start to finish was around 40 seconds for bidding. This is ****** dollars plus of my money, it may not seem like much to Mecum, but It is to me. If mecum thinks about this, they make their money off of total sale amount and takes 12 % of the total sale. They could make more money if they allowed people like me to bid online fairly. Technology is not going away Account Owner ************************ Customer Number- ****** CONTACT INFORMATION Email ******************** Phone ********** ADDRESS *********************************************************************************************************************

  Business response

  09/20/2022

   Response to ************************* claim:

  ************** states that he placed a bid on a Lot at our ************************ searching our sale files we did not find any bid by his customer number - ******.  I am attaching a copy of the Bidder Terms Agreement as agreed upon by ***************  See our statement under AUCTION at #**.  "......However, the auctioneer's determination(s) in these circumstances is/are both final and non-appealable.

   

  Thank you.

  *******************************

  Compliance Officer

• Initial Complaint

  09/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a car for $96,000 dollars plus the fees and paying to get it home on 5/17/2022 and have been trying to get a title and now they tell me that there is an issue with the *** and trying to offer me $5,000 dollars to take the title as is. I have sat here for 3 months, can not drive the car with no tags and can not sale it. I have ask for them to refund me and come get the car. They keep giving me the run around and trying to pay me off to take the title.

  Business response

  09/26/2022

  I am the responder to BBB claims and was out of the office
  unexpectedly most of the week of 09/05/22.  I am only working mornings
  8-noon for the next several weeks, M-TH.  I am off on Fridays.  My
  co-worker is out of the office due to a death in his family but I
  believe I can get info from his office in the next day or so.  I am
  hereby requesting some additional time in responding to this claim.
  
  Can you please consider our circumstances?  I know from speaking our
  Resolution team that something was in the works to resolve this.
  
  Thank you very much.

  Business response

  09/29/2022

  This vehicle that we sold at SC22 was a **** **** Cabriolet. Prior to the sale, the year of this vehicle was wrong on the title. The seller was notified and this year correction on the title was made. When we received the new title, (issued 04-22-2022) out of the ****************, the *** on the title read ********F0RD. The *** on the vehicle reads ********. We since obtained a *** inspection and are in the process of getting the *** on the title to match the vehicle. We are waiting for the corrected title which should be here any day. We are simply waiting on the ****************.
  
  
  While this is weeks / months outside the sale, however as per the bidders agreement:" Bidder understands and agrees that title processing delays can occur for causes outside of Mecums control. Bidder shall make no claim for damages associated with delays in title processing. Mecum is not responsible for damages incurred as a result of any delay in title processing."
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/29/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  January 10, 2021 Hammer Price: $26,000.00 + $3,205.00 buyers premium Not as advertised, it wasn't a restored car! (A lot of hidden mechanical and electrical issues)Spent countless hours and money repairing this "restored" car, which I have additional photos, if need.

  Business response

  12/08/2021

  see attached 

  This letter is in response to the notice of claim you sent to me on 10/26/2021. I have reviewed the claim and have discussed this matter with the appropriate parties at Mecum Auctions. Approximately ****** vehicles cross our auction block each year. Therefore, it is not feasible for Mecum to test/inspect/validate every vehicle, and every seller claim. For this reason, we encourage bidders to inspect vehicles of interest, and ask questions, prior to bidding. Accordingly, Mecum places language of that nature in our Bidder Terms Agreement which ********************** did agree to and acknowledge on 01/07/2021. A copy of that agreement is attached. I have highlighted several sections in the Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, it is stated that Mecum is merely performing an auction service and is not responsible for a Lots description in any medium, even if the representation is made in a medium owned by, maintained by or associated with Mecum. All Lots are offered as is, where is. Please be advised that ********************** has reached out to Mecum on 2 separate occasions prior to his filing of this BBB claim. As a gesture of goodwill, Mecum did make a payment that amount represented of the costs that ********************** stated he had paid for repairs in his 02/21/2021 letter. Please contact the undersigned should you have additional questions

  Customer response

  12/10/2021

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  

  As I have said before in other emails, along with numerous photos, this was the beginning of my inspection of this so called restoredcar. Mecum Auto Auction advises this was as-is sale, which I understand completely.However, as I have shown in your advertisement of the car, restored, which it is not! It doesnt say older restoration, needs work, potentially restorable, etc.,etc.  The seller promoted a lie about the condition of this car and Mecum Auto Auction perpetuated this lie to the consumer, me. The Mecum representative tells me I had 30 days to bring up any issues that I found and then they would have gone to the seller. I received the car on 01/14/2021 @7:30am and my first email was dated 02/28/2021. Again, as I have indicated before, this is on Mecum Auto Auction website FRAUD OR MISREPRESENTATIVE BY THE SELLER CAN SUPERSEDE AS-IS IN A COURT OF LAW.

   MISREPRESENTATION

  Fraud or Misrepresentation by the seller can supersede "as-is" in a court of law. A seller may remain liable for issues with a vehicle because of misrepresentation or fraud.

  One of the worst items I found and there were many, was the epoxy hidden behind the steering column bracket on the gas tank, trying to stop a fuel leak.

  I have spent a lot of money on parts and countless hours repairing this car. Again, Ive priced many 1930-31 Model As and this one shouldnt have been priced over $15,000.00, in its actual condition.

  Regards,
  
  *****************************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩