Negative Dealings w/ Bonhams or Dragone

Without getting into the details right now, it would be helpful to learn from others here if they have had any negative experiences in dealings w/ either Bonhams or Manny Dragone. I would prefer that responses not be posted publicly in response to this thread, but instead, be sent to me via PM on this site, or directly to my email address, which is: [email protected]

Many thanks in advance.

 

-Bonhams is fine, just very British: that is neither a a compliment or a criticism, just different, I have many friends there and enjoy them but you know they are rather British, I say old chap...

In all my years of living in 8 countries and dealing with people from all over Europe, north America and Japan the biggest misunderstandings were always between Brits and Americans: separated by a common language as they say.

Dragone however were just plain lousy and second rate the two or three times I asked them for information in a qualified manner I received zero response.

 

Now what fun is that?

 

Ahhh.....

I predict this thread will get rather interesting...

 

I will declare an interest here. I have grown up with Brooks/Bonhams as an independent consultant. I worked with Robert Brooks and the boys as a consultant when we were the Christie's Motor Car Department in the 1980s. We launched the now-annual Monaco auctions together. RB founded Brooks Auctioneers in 1989 - and we all stayed with him. Eventually the company became sufficiently successful to absorb Bonhams - taking that name for the overall group - then Phillips in the UK, followed by Butterfields on the West Coast of the US, and Goodmans in Australia. Bonhams has for some years been the world's fastest-growing auction group, operating in some 70 categories quite apart from cars, motorcycles, automobilia, automotive collectibles, etc.

If there's a problem, the Bonhams department boys will want to know about it - and if a gripe is justified it will be corrected. They built their International reputation by taking the long-term view. They would rather foster a customer who comes back for repeat business than sting one on a one-hit short-term deal and never see him again. But any such relationship is a two-way trade. Being 'British' has perhaps become an impediment in America. From my vantage point on the touchline - feeling like 'family' yet independent as my journalistic experience dictates - I frankly doubt either side really understands why.

DCN

 

Doug: Yes in fact the former Bonhams man I worked with on a contract for almost a year until completion in April (you know who I mean) was telling me earlier this month that he just no longer deals with a certain segment of the US population.

To other posters: don't ask me who it was or just whom he spoke of but what I will say is that he was more than fair with me.

Whart: quoting me in court will take 17 million non Wall street Dollars and 7 leggy blondes sunny side up to go