Bidder Reviews for Guernsey's (75)

Were helpful people in the business for like 50 years!

Fantastic auction and auction house. Very easy process from bidding to receiving the items!

Very pleased with auction house customer service. A +

I have been trying to get my "PAID FOR" items from this place for 7 weeks. They don't seem to care and the UPS Store involved certainly doesn't give a sh-__. I would find it VERY HARD to do business with this auction house in the future.

wonderful auction experience

This purchase was very important to me. The entire staff understood and supported me with help in becoming a customer of the online auction site. They were also very supportive and when I won the item, they went out of their way to help me with shipping/pick up!

Beware! Super high 25 % auction fees and outsourced shipping. They refer you to a "fair priced" local UPS, but after UPS packing and pickup fees an $1, 100 winning bid turns into almost double. All said and done I paid almost $1, 900 for an $1, 100 item. Wish that they would make all this more obvious in their listing practices, but that would probably hurt their profit margins, though. Strikes me as a little shady. Plus the whole process relatively slow. Dont be in a rush to get your items.

Guernsey does not do their own shipping. They subcontract it to UPS in NYC. Receiving your item is like pulling teeth-took numerous e-mails to both the auction house and the UPS facility The only reason I gave them two stars was because the item was as described and the packing was well done, although expensive. Would not participate in any of their future auctions.

The Traditional Chinese doll was exactly as describe and shown in the pictures.

Items as described in catalogue. Payment and pick-up well-organized and excellent communication. Highly recommended.

Very Good Paintings

polecam do wsp ó ł pracy

Arlan is a pleasure to work with

Great experience... Susan and Owen were a pleasure to work with in all aspects of my purchase!

Bought three items from this auction, was easy to work with the staff and they were helpful but arranging payment was especially difficult for me since I’m a foreign buyer.

I bought several items of ocean liner memorabilia. I went to their location in Manhattan to pay and pick up in person. I paid in full and was given the items to pack and immediately pointed out that a French line Teapot had large chip on the rim, that was not present on the photos or the condition, that was listed as good. I immediately brought it to their attention but was told all items were so as is and I could not get a refund. it seemed apparent that damage occurred after the lot was cataloged and no update was given or that the item was damaged in transport from Newport. I asked to speak with someone else and was told I could not. I left, but sent an email the next day which was ignored. Even tough I buy often through live auctioneers, I have never had to leave such a review before.

Definitely read Guensey's Terms and Conditions as they are considerably different from the other sites I've purchased from. First surprise-They DON'T accept credit cards so I had to mail a check to New York and wait for the check to clear. Second surprise-Guernsey doesn't ship. Third surprise-After check cleared, Guernsey's contacts a shipping company and I received a $90 + shipping invoice for a $1K + small item purchase … at least shipping company takes a credit card and you can negotiate the cost down. Fourth surprise-Its been almost a month since I made my purchase and I still haven't received my items. I'm definitely a dissatisfied customer

Received what I paid for, staff was pleasant. Outside shipper was slow and it took multiple e-mails for them to respond.

One of the two original WWI posters that I received was nothing like the photos or description on the website. The poster shown had no missing paper or tears, that condition being specified in the written description. The poster that I received had long, multiple tears and several chunks of paper missing, from the size of a dime to piece approximately 6 inches by 3 inches. It arrived folded into quarters, causing tearing along the fold lines, and crammed unevenly into a very narrow tube. I confirmed with the third-party shipper that it was picked up in this condition. When I contacted Guernsey's with my complaint, Owen Ellerkamp was rude and combative, unbelievably claiming that the item I received matched the description, that in any event the poster was worth "10 times what I paid," and that the shipper caused the damage. The follow-up message that I sent telling him that the issue was post-photography storage/handling and false advertising, I got no response. I have been a poster dealer for almost 15 years and have never had such a terrible experience with a supposedly professional auction house. I will never give them my business again under any circumstances, and I strong suggest that all serious collectors follow suit.

My discourse/bidding/payment was exceptionally smooth and professional. My only issue was UPS shipping — not Guernsey’s fault.

The invoice and the payment had to be completed quickly, but the product arrived a month after I won it.. seems a little slow.

Very good auction house, but not so good shipping process. $67.00 to ship a small photograph and then a week for the shipper to finally get the package on the road.

Nothing to do with Auction House (which was great) but hammer price was $75 but UPS clearance into Canada was $50cad as declared value was $175 ?) Also UPS clearance on anything over $20 was $35cad. So shipping and UPS clearance was just over $100-$110 on $75 purchase price. Not good value, sorry.

I was not told that the shipping cost would be added on, their profit share is already higher than Potter and Potter. I was contacted by a UPS shop to send them credit card info even though poster was already paid for by the same card. The item has yet to be shipped three weeks later. I doubt I would bid with them again.

Apprehensive-very apprehensive... but pleasantly surprised.

Still after all these weeks I do not have my order. I cannot get the house or packing company tell me where the items are. In my 45 years as as autograph dealer I have never seen any company this slow.

New York's Guernsey's auction house failed to mention on their Live Auctioneers 'page that the auction was for items in Indiana! We decided to bite the bullet and pay for shipping when we received a written estimate of $150. We were then charged $305 the day it was shipped. Their behavior was close to fraudulent.

If someone lives within the city where the auction is being held, then they should be able to PAY within that city or when they can finally pick up their items. Also, your buyers premium percentage was set too high especially since the proceeds were going to a charity for the arts-one in which New Yorkers (where I once lived) should appreciate.

The bidding was cut short twice while we were bidding live on your sight and thought we won the bid, only to find out that it was declared closed as we were bidding and we didn't end up with the item. We understand that technology can be difficult to manage but wish there were a better way to keep the bids from being cut off prematurely. It was our first experience to bid on line, except at a fundraising event, and we really liked the energy and enthusiasm in trying to secure a bid. It was fun and enlightening. Thank you for making this event possible.