Ripley Auctions & Appraisals

They have quality merchandise, but if you're bidding online, expect to pay double whatever you bid. Between their EXTREMELY high buyer's premium (more than Sotheby's and Christy's), and their inflated shipping ($20 to ship a necklace), they will make you regret even your favorite purchase. Won the high bid for $40 and left with an $80 bill. I prefer honest auction houses with up front fees that don't feel the need to cheat their customer's EVERY chance they get. Hopefully I will save a couple people from making the same mistake.
Jan 25th, 2024

Took my money for an item they auctioned but didnt have. Got no refund just stole my money.
Oct 10th, 2023

I would give them a negative 5 stars if I could. I have never had to make sure the items were as described with any other auctions that I have won. They had one item described as Baltic Amber and it was clearly a chunk of cheap plastic with some plastic beads that looked like it was made by a child. This was not obvious in the picture but as soon as you touch it you feel its plastic. ANYONE would have been able to tell that it was plastic. It may have been a mistake but it happened with multiple items that I had won! One of the items was described as being MOTHER OF PEARL. When I was able to actually hold the earrings in my hand they were clearly cheap plastic made to look like MOP. I contacted them and explained that I would like some kind of remedy for this and was told that they would not do anything to fix the situation because I had waited two weeks to contact them. I was traveling for work when they FINALLY shipped my items (SHIPPING WAS OVERPRICED AS WELL) so I was unable to open the items till I got home. BUT THEY REFUSED TO REFUND and I was told that they would not do anything to help remedy this situation. DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THIS AUCTION HOUSE! THEY LIE CHEAT AND STEAL AND DON'T CARE ABOUT RETURN CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY WILL JUST RIP OFF THE NEXT SUCKER!!! BUYER BEWARE!!!! BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE! BAD DESCRIPTIONS! WAY TOO MUCH FOR SHIPPING CHARGES!! OVERALL THEY ARE JUST SELLING YOU JUNK!
Feb 27th, 2024

Update: Sandra Jarvis, the marketing director of the auction kindly reached out before the holidays. After we emailed a few times she explained that there was an overcharge and that I will get a refund. They are currently working on the shipping department to be more transparent and respond to emails on time. Im very thankful to her and the owner for reaching out and rectifying the issue in a timely manner. If you have any questions about the shipping or have not gotten a reply (like me) I would encourage everyone to message her. Note that the pictures are of how the items were wrapped together. The actual shipping was great since it came well insulated between shipping peanuts and a sturdy box.OG review: Theres some shady business going on in the shipping department. I recently bought 4 items of small jewelry I emailed them 3 times as to why the shipping was $99 dollars when the items were shipped together and never got any response back. The total came to around $25 per lot (because 1 lot had two items) which makes no sense if the items were all shipped together in one box under ONE tracking number. When I emailed them asking for a cost breakdown I got no response. The shipping department also gave NO other options for shipping except next day which was even more expensive. The items were loosely packed in a cardboard box a bit of bubble wrapped and moving around the box. I have seen better wrapping and care from small independent sellers than a supposed prestigious auction house. Allegedly other people are accusing them of also scaming them through shipping costs. Be careful new buyers!
Dec 24th, 2023

Can't say enough about the appraisal services I received during my recent divorce. They were able to accommodate me on short notice, were professional, and helped to get things moving in the right direction so that mediation proceeded fairly. Thanks.
Sep 23rd, 2023