This auction house clearly doesn't do its homework. They treat original artwork like dorm room posters--slapping on lowball estimates without consulting the artist or their representing galleries. It's lazy, irresponsible, and damaging. Selling a piece for less than a tenth of its actual value doesn't just shortchange the seller--it actively undermines the artist and the integrity of the market. Any reputable operation would pull those works and advise the owner to donate them to a museum or charity. At least then, they'd receive a proper tax deduction and preserve the value of the work. Instead, this is just sloppy and short-sighted. Shame. read more

My experience has more to do with the selling aspect than the buying aspect. I recently sold a very valuable painting at Charlton Hall and the experience was quite pleasurable. I first want to talk about their pricing. I looked at Sotherby's and Christie's and shipping the painting to NY City. With shipping costs, expensive photographing fees, and huge commissions I decided to take my chances with Charlton Hall. My painting fit their repertoire. My painting was sold in the September 2011 auction, and went for what my personal research early in the game was predicting. Rebecca and Kinga were very helpful and willing to take the time to explain how comparables/prices are listed at other auction houses. They were not pushy and easy to work with. Their marketing is global via the internet (like the NYC auction houses). Every aspect of the auction was in effect during the sale of my painting. There was a bidder on the phone, on the internet, and one sitting right next to us. To the "mike d." entry: I have never tried to bid via the internet, but Charlton Hall is not an eBay (Fun Fact: owners of PayPal). The auction house functions more like a traditional auction. In business you like to stick with what you are good at, and Charlton Hall aims to represent a more upscale reputation than maybe a normal online bidding site. This is not intended to be an insult to eBay, it's just a different business model. With that said, they deal in cash, the safest form of payment. I am not sure where you live, but bidding on items in person is a great experience. To anyone selling, who wants to maximize value, I recommend doing your own research and spending time doing your own marketing. While an auction house will take care of their marketing and the sale of your item, it's good to reach a more selective group. read more

Charlton Hall Auctions - Auction Houses Near Me - West Columbia, South Carolina

I would give them zero stars if I could. What kind of business will only accept cashier's checks, cash or wire transfer and charges you $30 for the inconvenience?? Never again will I buy from a business with such ridiculous and archaic payment options! read more

This house is either the lazy or shady. I bid on many auctions, yet have never received an item that have holes in them that were not either mentioned in the description or obvious from the picture. As a customer, I am willing to work with a vendor on possible mistakes - I make them all the time. However, there was no apology, or any concern whatsoever on handling the matter. I suppose they must burn through customers a lot, as I won't be using them ever again and would encourage you to look at other auction houses if you are bidding online. There are hundreds and this is one to avoid. Update I did receive a phone call from the auction house. We still have a strong difference of opinion, but they explained their reasons for not indicating the flaws in the item description. Their policies are clearly stated, but I have never had this experience happen with another house. I have wasted too much time dealing with this issue. I have upgraded them another star, as I can take some responsibility for not requesting the condition report. However, I will stick with the houses that are more upfront and communicative about condition issues. I have upgraded them one star for making the phone call and explaining their position. read more

CROOKS, THIEVES & LIAR'S I received my item exactly 1 month and 1 day after I won it from your auction and to only add to this great inconvenience as they are too greedy to accept credit cards because of the credit card company charges and too afraid to accept Pay pal because of the buyer protection. When I opened the package from Charlton Hall, I discovered immediately that the item was nowhere near what it was claimed to be in the item description which clearly stated that it was a 14k gold cane handle when in fact it was only gold plated and so Blatantly so, that about 35% of all the gold plating had come off completely in which could not be noticed in the ONE photo that was provided on the Internet for suckers like myself who could not be there physically to inspect it. What amazes me the most is that not only did the individual who took this item on consignment not make any mention of this, but the item also made it through the catalog process and all the way to the auction block without any mention of it being gold filled or plated. With that said, this is without a doubt, the worst auction experiences I have ever had not just for this reason but for the fact that I sent the item back immediately which they received by delivery confirmation signature. It has been 2 weeks since and they have completely ignored my emails and phone messages pleading for them to give me my money back. read more

PLEASE! PLEASE! I BEG OF YOU! DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THIS GALLERY IF YOU ARE OUT OF STATE! I have bought and sold antiques for 20 years and have never had such a frustrating experience as I did after I purchased a small table from Charlton Hall Galleries at an online auction. They payment system is antiquated and outdated- they accept neither credit cards nor debit cards and they charge YOU the fee for putting money directly in their account! I found this out when my mover showed up to pick up the piece. Once they deposited my personal check and I was 2 1/2 hours down the road towards picking it up, I called to let them know I was coming, and they told me they would hold my check for 14 days because it was an out of state check!!! No mention had ever been made of this at any time. When funds could have been verified over the telephone! And 14 days??? Monies are removed in 24 hours! I told them to resell the table. I called my bank and had them cancel the check. I will tell everyone I do business with to take their money elsewhere. At no time did these people make any attempt to work with me in any way. There is absolutely no customer service whatsoever. Terrible. read more