07/23/2026
Mecum Auctions
I am writing to express my absolute outrage over how my vehicle, Lot T211, was handled today.
I agreed to run No Reserve solely on your team's explicit recommendation that it would generate stronger action. Instead, your auctioneer tanked momentum instantly by dropping the opening bid to an insulting $2,000.
Not only was I shoved to the dead end of the second day instead of the mid-day slot I was led to expect, rolling onto the stage after the crowd had already cleared out.
I was staged as far away from anyone in the center as you could get and I paid a premium for the honor.
To make matters worse, the promotion promised for this vehicle was nonexistent. I monitored your emails and social media channels leading up to this event; while other lots received steady feature posts and blasts, my car received zero promotion. When it finally hit the block, the auctioneer made zero effort, no background, no context, no mention of its rarity or condition. It was treated as a throwaway lot just to clear the ring.
I spent more out-of-pocket to bring this car to Harrisburg than I netted from the $4,500 sale. I gave a clean, unique car away for free because I trusted your team's representations.
Mecum collected its commissions, but you completely failed to deliver on marketing, placement, or representation. This was inexcusable.
I hope my experience helps others learn to never trust your words when it comes to what you will do for the extra fees you charge. Nor should anyone trust thier car with you, especially for No Reserve. Ever.
*** Update:
After my post, I didn't just sit on my hands. On Friday, I put things directly in motion: I revoked my Power of Attorney, reported to my DMV the potential fraud on my title, and their behavior to regulatory agencies (being sure to add every Mecum.com email I had to the emails) and waited.
On Saturday at 8 AM, the initial offer was to refund all my fees and pass along the buyer's fee on top of the auction price. Which confirmed a dealer got preferential treatment on fees and I was sold to a dealer. Like all the other late run NR cars.
I rejected it immediately and demanded my car back.
They tried to invoke contract terms, to which I pointed out that their rapid capitulation was proof they had broken the contract. I backed it up with emails showing my promised "star" run time of noon, alongside pictures of where they actually staged my vehicle.
At that point, they unwound the auction entirely and told me to come get the car. I booked a flight for Sunday morning, landed in Harrisburg, retrieved the gate pass, and drove the Opel Calibra back home to Charlottesville.
If this happens to you, get loud and move fast. Here is what every consignor needs to keep in mind:
Demand a Promised Run Time: Get them to commit to the specific day and time window your car will run. Once you receive your lot number, check where it actually falls on the schedule—the position in the lineup will immediately tell you if they lied about your placement.
Watch Wednesday & Thursday Staging: If you are placed on a Wednesday or Thursday, expect to be staged as far away from the main action as possible, regardless of any verbal promises about "prime locations."
Hold Them to Paid Upgrades: If you pay extra for star or better treatment and do not receive that level of marketing, placement, and presentation, they are breaking contract.
Make sure you are included on all promotions they do. I requested to see mine and they had done zero.
Hold them accountable.. And do it on the spot. Becuase you only have until the day the car leaves in the hands of the dealer to recover your car. After that it will get a LOT harder and then it becomes almost impossible and far more expensive to recover anything.
I was fortunate.. But I also work in a field where I need to know contract law. So I knew which buttons to push and I began action not with lawyers but with fact and regulations.
Mecum Auctions leads live auctions of collector cars, antique motorcycles, and Road Art® memorabilia across the US.
