Law For Buying At Auction

[kazeran]

Hi everyone. Looking for some help/advice really.
I purchased a medal at an auction house, put it online only to be contacted by someone purporting to be the original owner who claims that the medal was stolen from him a few years ago.
Does anyone know where the law stands on this sort of thing?
I purchased the item in good faith from a reputable auction house. I have the receipts etc but I am a little at a loss with where I stand.
I will contact the auction house tomorrow but wondered if anyone had any further ideas?

[damian_steele]

As far as I know the original owner will have to contact the police and satisfy them that the item is his. He will then get to claim the item (if they believe him.) You will then have to take legal action against the auction house to recover your money.* They in turn will have to take action against whoever they got the item from.

* The auction house may simply pay up without argument to protect their reputation.

[HerMajesty]

Could be a scam, or could be real. I think Damian's idea is sound. He would have to prove he was the owner......a trail of receipts, or being the named person himself, or such. Even if he were a relative of the original recipient of the medals, he would not be entitled to them if they were legitimatley sold.

[kazeran]

Thanks. Yes the medal is named and he says that the item is obviously his.
I hope it is not a scam. The gentleman in question has lurched from sublime threats to being quite nice.
He originally suggested that I hand the item over or he would contact the police. I asked him for a crime number? he then replied by saying that he did not have one as he only told the military police. I would like to think he is genuine but I have heard so many stories of squaddies selling their medals forgetting that they may have to wear them on reunions. When questioned by their colleagues why they are not showing the medals they say that they were stolen. Panic sets in when they turn up on the net and a friend spots it.

[suesjools]

Could be a scam, or could be real. I think Damian's idea is sound. He would have to prove he was the owner......a trail of receipts, or being the named person himself, or such. Even if he were a relative of the original recipient of the medals, he would not be entitled to them if they were legitimatley sold.

Agree 110%.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[HerMajesty]

Thanks. Yes the medal is named and he says that the item is obviously his.
I hope it is not a scam. The gentleman in question has lurched from sublime threats to being quite nice.
He originally suggested that I hand the item over or he would contact the police. I asked him for a crime number? he then replied by saying that he did not have one as he only told the military police. I would like to think he is genuine but I have heard so many stories of squaddies selling their medals forgetting that they may have to wear them on reunions. When questioned by their colleagues why they are not showing the medals they say that they were stolen. Panic sets in when they turn up on the net and a friend spots it.

And often they are sold when money is tight, or for beer money. AND there are lots of medals with the same name on them.......some names are more common than others.

[HerMajesty]

OH says that it depends on whether they were insured originally. If so, and they were 'lost' or 'stolen', then the insurance company has paid for them, and they belong to the insurance company if they come to light. A deal with the ins co can usually be made........tho I suppose it would again, involve getting a trail of ownership and having each person in line deal with the issue.

[kazeran]

Thanks HerMajesty. It is a real poser, that I suppose will only be resolved with multiple phone calls and diligence.
It is all rather tiresome and will be time consuming.
I will post any developments as it may be of use to someone else in the future...

[burgyeb]

Hope things work out for you Kazeran. I have purchased from reputable auction houses before, and the developments and outcome would be useful for anyone experiencing similar situation.

[Gill]

Hi everyone. Looking for some help/advice really.
I purchased a medal at an auction house, put it online only to be contacted by someone purporting to be the original owner who claims that the medal was stolen from him a few years ago.
Does anyone know where the law stands on this sort of thing?
I purchased the item in good faith from a reputable auction house. I have the receipts etc but I am a little at a loss with where I stand.
I will contact the auction house tomorrow but wondered if anyone had any further ideas?

If the medal was stolen it should have been reported to the police so therefore the 'original owner' will have a crime reference number. Without that, they have no legal comeback on you and the auction house.

NEVER dispose of those receipts.