Problem with auctioneer

[Lynn Cassidy]

I bought an item for at a furniture auction in Ireland. It was priced Eur 100 - 150. The Auctioneer asked the room to start at Euro 50 but there was no iterest. At the end of the auction I asked if I could still buy it. He said yes and asked me for Euro 100. I agreed and paid and received my purchaser's invoice.

When I went to collect it he told me that the seller had told the office at the end of the auction that he was withdrawing it and we could not collect it. That had not been conveyed to us if indeed it is true.

I paid for it and was given an invoice. I could have taken that that day but had to get a trailer.

What is my legal standing.

[Law200]

...he did make an agreement and you accepted--Based on what you say here, you could file suit against them (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to their behaviour...

[Lynn Cassidy]

Thank you for your reply. I have contacted them and asked for the go ahead to collect today, and said that if I do not hear from them today I have no choice but to contact the small claims court.

I had contacted an Irish body covering valuers and autioneers for advice but unfortunately this particular auctioneer is not a member. However they did advise me that it sounded like I do indeed own the item having paid for it and having received the purchaser's invoice.

However they said that because it was not sold under the hammer, I may be in a different situation.

If the seller had told the office that he wanted to withdraw, the auction had finished at 17.00 and we were there until 18.00, yet nobody said anything.

We will contact the small claims court, but if you feel you have any pertinent comments they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again. Lynn