Everything But The House
Questions & Answers

I am just got through selling items through EBTH, and it has been the worst experience I have ever had. They grouped many expensive items together because they thought it was in the best interest of the company not the seller. I am also currently seeking legal council to potentially file suit against the company for fraudulent business practices. They didn't even give me a copy of their so called "contract", that I had to sign and send in with my items, until there was only 1 hour left in my sale. They left out the most expensive pieces I sent in and didn't sell them at all, didn't find out why until sale was over. As if all this weren't enough, they took real diamonds from the items I sent in to sell and replaced them with "white sapphires".

So needless to say, they're probably about to get hit with a heavy lawsuit!

This is Diana C. See my review of 7/10/2017. Everything you need to know. The answer from Gary G. Is right on point. If you are cool with your item bringing $1 but you know it's worth more, then avoid EBTH. He is also on point with regard to descriptions of your items. I have laughed out loud at the descriptions from some of the auctions I've looked at. Some are outright WRONG and others are so puffed up and pretentious about an item that is worthless. The people who process your stuff sit in front of a computer and make up descriptions all day. I don't think this is who you want appraising your items

Run away. They're wolves in sheeps clothing. They are clever advertisers who make claims that they'll get you 30 - 50% more than other ways. When in reality you get way less.
They sold my furniture, jewelry, car, tractor and after numerous calls ignored me until less than an hour before the people arrived I threatened to cancel the sale. They agreed to give me what we had agreed to. I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome and though the workers were nice, the mgmt. Is lacking in integrity. Find another way, don't trust EBTH.

I took three prints by a local artist to an auction site close to me. After three months the items where not listed. When they did appear they had been moved to Blue Ash Ohio. Only one item has been sold and for a much lower price than I have received at actual live auctions locally. The other two items show as sold but were never listed. I will never use them again.

I consigned 2 paintings and some decorative pieces (silver and china). The items went for much less than I expected. There was no communications from them. The final straw happened today when I inquired about one item that has not been listed yet. They said that it had been deemed a forgery and they would not return it to me. I question their integrity and I am worried that they are a scam outfit that loot estates out of choice pieces of art and other items and then sell them for far below market value and profit from multiple resales. Very sketchy and I have learned my lesson. I still have not been paid for the items that they did sell. Also, the statement about keeping your items until they sell is completely false. They take all items first and then list them in an auction when they find it convenient. I warn you to stay away.

Avoid. Avoid. I wish I'd searched before working with them. They will do everything they can to screw you. They'll take items that aren't for sale but then refuse to hold them back from the sale or return them to you (even if you agree to pay return shopping for their mistake). They told me to bid on the items myself once they go for sale if I wanted to get them back.

They grouped together lots of items which will minimize my profits but maximize they amount they can charge for shipping. For 500 records, they grouped them into lots of right 75 pieces each, with no listing as to what's included in the lots. Obviously not the best way to maximize value!

Complete, antique Japanese China sets with rare hard to find pieces are grouped together in giant lots with generic inaccurate titles do anyone interested in that pattern will not be able to find them, and they'd have to buy the whole lot even if they're looking for one or a few pieces to complete their sets. This discourages some buyers, and brings down the value of the whole sets. Many sets worth hundreds of dollars are going for $1 currently.

There's no reserve pricing on anything so there are literally dozens of items going for $1 right now, with no recourse if you don't want it to sell for that low of a price. The shipping is so night that there are items that will go for $1 and $50 shipping. Yet I as the seller will only see a percentage of that $1.

Items are listed inaccurately or missing pieces, but they make no efforts to correct they listings.

I feel like I was robbed of my father's estate and there's nothing I can do about it.

Interesting that you say the items stay at your home or business. They told me that the items are in a warehouse. When I won an item, it had to be taken across town from the warehouse to the shipping area. After waiting for 10 days and being told the item was on the dock and ready to ship, I waited for 5 more days and still no tracking number. Every time I called I go a different story. Called Visa and initiated a suspected fraudulent charge investigation. My Visa was refunded the full amount the next day. So you tell me? Why refund the purchase if the package was on the dock, bagged, tagged and ready for pick up? I never even got the a shipping label has been created email, which is pretty much standard with UPS the moment you slap the label on the box.

No! They are masquerading as an estate sales site with real auction practices and bidding. They do not have the knowledge or expertise to answer questions when the buyers have one they gouge their customers on their shipping charges just like you were purchasing it in mainland China. Which is not even legal in this country unless you tell the purchaser what they are paying to have it packed. They do not use sophisticated parking the use small bubble wrap and Brown paper

I am one of the people who are thinking about class action.

Elizabeth E., there are several factors to consider before selling with EBTH. Selling can be a very positive experience, but you need to ask questions first. To begin with, talk directly to the manager of the warehouse you are dealing with. Unless you are having an on-site estate sale, collections can be consigned directly with the warehouse. You drop off the art items, and they proceed from there. Ask about their experience in dealing with the items you have collected. EBTH does NOT like seller input regarding descriptions. Their catalog staff may not be familiar with your items. In such a case, negotiate FIRST before signing a contract to allow you to be involved in writing the descriptions or at least providing pertinent details. When you know the market value (not inflated price guide values), explain that. Include prior auction estimates in the inventory YOU CREATE. Understand that your art may bring only $1. If you can afford to lose, consign without another thought. If you cannot assume that risk, and it is an item of some value, seek out a standard auction house in your area. Consignments to normal auctions run about 30%, while EBTH charges 40% (currently). If you plan & discuss ahead of time, you should have a good experience from EBTH.