(Response to Owner)
Thank you for your response. I do…read moreappreciate you acknowledging that the listing was incorrect.
However, I want to clarify an important part of the situation that was not addressed. When I arrived and discovered there was only one board instead of the two clearly described in the listing, I did not simply reject your resolution. I asked for a reasonable middle-ground solution, to pay half of what I bid, since the lot was misrepresented as containing two boards. That request was dismissed without consideration.
I ultimately chose to keep the single board because I had driven over four hours and had specifically bid on it with the intention of using it for wakesurfing. Walking away empty-handed after that time and expense was not a practical option. That said, keeping the item does not mean the situation was resolved fairly.
The issue was never just that a mistake happened, I understand those can occur. The issue was how it was handled. Offering only a full refund or requiring full payment for an item that was clearly misrepresented did not feel like a customer-focused solution, especially when a reasonable compromise was suggested.
From my perspective, it felt less like an effort to make things right and more like "take it or leave it," which is what made the experience so disappointing.
I hope this additional context helps clarify why I felt the way I did.
((Original Post))
I have been part of the estate sale and online auction community for quite some time, and unfortunately, this has been the most disappointing experience I have had with an auction business.
I placed a bid on a lot clearly titled and described as: "Phase5 Wakeboard Decks - The Wild Beige & Red - 50in Each (Lot of 2)." The description explicitly stated this and more: "Phase5 wakeboard deck set featuring two distinct boards for water sports. Both boards are approximately 50 inches in length and appear used with minor surface wear." Based on both the written description and the photos provided, I had every reason to believe I was bidding on two boards.
As an online bidder, especially one traveling over four hours from out of state for pickup, I rely heavily on accurate descriptions. This platform offers both shipping and pickup, so it is not unreasonable to expect listings to be at least reasonably correct.
Upon arrival, I was informed there was only one board included in the lot.
When I brought up the listing and description directly from their own site, I was told their "AI sometimes messes up," and that they "try to double check." That explanation is difficult to accept, given how clearly and repeatedly the listing referenced two boards. After I expressed my concerns, especially after spending hundreds of dollars, the staff consulted their boss and offered two options: accept a refund so they could resell the item, or keep the single board for the full price I had paid.
At no point did I feel like my experience as a customer mattered. The focus seemed to be entirely on preserving the sale rather than addressing the clear error in a meaningful or customer-focused way.
While they referenced a general disclosure about potential inaccuracies, that does not excuse a listing that explicitly and repeatedly described a quantity that did not exist. It raises serious concerns about how such a significant discrepancy made it through their process in the first place.
This experience was extremely disappointing. Given that similar concerns appear in past reviews, it does not seem like meaningful improvements have been made.
I am sharing this for transparency and consumer awareness. If you are considering bidding, especially from a distance, be aware that the item you win may not match the description you relied on. Based on my experience, I will not be purchasing from this business again.
