I would like to read a review about EBTH from a seller. I am considering consigning some of my collectibles, Native American items, artworks & antiques with them. The main thing that concerns me about this company is that there is no reserve on pricing. Say you know your item's market value is $500, but the winning bid is $100 (for example), you are stuck with getting only 60% of the $100 bid for a $500 value item. Also, the items are only available for auction for 7 days, and if not sold, they say they donate them to Goodwill, or whatever. But I would want the item back if not sold. In any case, the EBTH rep today said that the items remain with you at your home or business until sold, not at any EBTH location, so saying that they donate them doesn't make sense to me. Also, if the sold items are at my home, do I have to package & ship them, and get the shipping cost from EBTH prior to shipping them, if it's my responsibility?

asked by Elizabeth E. on 4/10/17

15 Answers
Thumbnail of user zackj7

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!

Helpful  (9)
Thumbnail of user dianac76

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

Helpful  (6)
Thumbnail of user tomh246

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.

Helpful  (6)
Thumbnail of user sharonh124

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.

Helpful  (6)
Thumbnail of user christopherm134

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.

Helpful  (5)
Thumbnail of user upsets2

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.

Helpful  (4)
Thumbnail of user leahc36

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.

Helpful  (4)
Thumbnail of user michaels791

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

Helpful  (3)
Thumbnail of user victorias121

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

Helpful  (3)
Thumbnail of user garyg92

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.

Helpful  (2)
Thumbnail of user michaels2726

This is not the place to sell valuable items. Certainly you can find a better auction house that is local or that specializes in what you are selling and if it's American Indian items you need to find one out West. These people are a joke, do not have any experts, they just hire a bunch of young people to answer the phone and speak well. They have the worst reviews of all time and that is why they don't have as many things to sell as they did 2 or 3 years ago. They even have badd reviews from people who have worked for them saying that they were encouraged to have their friends write good reviews... Such a shame they could actually be legitimate but they choose not to..

Helpful  (1)
Thumbnail of user jasonj152

Think about a set of china being about 44 pieces. It will only sell for $1 because mandatory shipping is $125. Who do you think suffers loss and who gains? Why EBTH is the true winner.

Helpful  (1)
Thumbnail of user willc88

I was seriously considering consigning with EBTH... but with what I'm hearing, EBTH appears to be no different than posting your items for free on Craigslist. First, you can tell EBTH gives attention to fine, expensive items. What they really want to do is come to your house, do all the work, and give you a check. This gives their so called professionals a chance to talk you into a plan that works for you and moreso them. I've been tracking many of these estates auctions since the company has been in business. I can also tell you that many items don't sell for much. Often, it appears they take items and group them - I understand their rationale for doing this... but I've seen many groupings go for a lot less than expected, which is of concern. They don't appear to care. EBTH accomplished what they set out to do: Very broadly and widely market themselves as the go-to establishment for estate sales, etc. They paint an illustrious picture on their site... and they focus on celebrity sales or items that look like they're from Houzz or the like. I do believe what many of the posters are saying about the lack of experience of these "professionals" in preparing someone's items for sale. So I'll have to think hard before doing business with them.

Helpful  (1)
Thumbnail of user jh1078

Worst Experience. Complete Rippoff as a Seller:
We used EBTH for a sizable sale of collectibles, vintage clothing, and more. This was a first attempt to see how well the company did before we looked at much more valuable goods.

Their collection and analysis of our goods and choices for auction were excellent. The person that was used for this was knowledgeable, very helpful and, frankly, a dream to work with.

We had to pay several thousand dollars for this but figured it would be worth it.

When done, we will likely sell over 500 items or more.

Then came the reality.

They have no risk in the game at all and you must rely solely on their curation for what gets put together and offered at auction. Their commission structure states that any item sold below $30 has no commission and it's an absolute auction. Curators wouldn't game that would they?

Well, it appears that is exactly what happens.

The average winning bid for over 216 items was 44. It generated over $8,000 in total sales for EBTH but because the winning bids were so low, we got a fraction of that, approaching about 8%

They had absolutely nothing to say when I confronted them and believe they SEEK these low level bids just so they can generate and keep the lions share of the revenue.

They made no attempt to even try and make things right and the multi-million dollar coin collection, the next step, will never happen

Do not trust this company. They seek to rip you off and can get away with it.

Maybe the class action is good idea

Helpful  (0)
Thumbnail of user ek169

I hope you didn't send anything to them! I sent them a tag heuer watch in July. In august I got an email that it was accepted and being processed. That they would contact me 48 hours before it went live. Well, it's September now and they ghosted me and took my watch! Now it suddenly says "omitted."

Helpful  (0)

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