Not just "lip service"! - VINs Posted at R&S

[Drew Alcazar]

Just thought I post a quick note on the board regarding our upcoming auction in Monterey. Naturally, we invite and welcome all members of the Super Car Registry site to join us in August at the downtown Marriott Hotel.

We also invite all members to peruse our website as many of our feature cars have now been posted. No, this is not just some “shameless plug” for our auction but a sincere effort to follow up on our discussions a while back as after our Florida auction. Most noteworthy, we have included VIN numbers with all our cars posted on the website. VIN numbers will also be published in the Auction Catalog due out in about 3+ weeks. Thank you to all members for your constructive feedback. It did not fall on deaf ears.

As fellow members view our new post and the ones that we will continue to update from now till August, please do not hesitate to contact me directly should there be evidence of error in the representation of our consignments. We will make every effort to cross reference information provided with our consignors to ensure a clear and accurate marketing representation.

Also, as we look to January, Russo and Steele will indeed be offering an additional level of disclosure and verification with our new “Authenticity Certificate”. As we work to outline this program, I invite all members to post comments regarding the relevant information they would see value in a consignor providing to potential buyers. Some are easy – Matching numbers, ORIGINAL matching numbers, which components are indeed matching numbers, date codes, casting numbers, third party inspections, marques awards, originality of exterior color, originality of interior color and/or options. Others may be more detailed or relevant – maybe I did not think of them, so feel free to give suggestions.

Keep in mind, we do not have the ability to craft a “New York phone book” on each car, but we are looking to provide a one page “check list” that will be affixed to the windshield along with the “Car Card”. It needs to be concise, practical, and easy to read. This “Authenticity Certificate” will place the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the seller for actuate and proper disclosure. Known or unknown discrepancies that result in a buyer discovering the contrary in a set amount of time (probably 7 day grace period) and result in a transaction retraction will clearly outline the sellers responsibility to cover all related costs. These include FULL commissions to the auction house, transportation, and possibly others. There will be an additional fee for this feature. Maybe 300 – 500 dollars, and also will require a “pre-authorization” amount on a credit card that will be released once the “grace period” expires. Maybe 5 grand? These are but a few initial ideas and thoughts…

Lets think about this from BOTH a buyers, sellers, and auction house perspective in terms of implementation, logistics, and operations. How will it work? What are the downsides? Is it practical?

Thank you once again to all for the constructive discussion on how to improve our hobby. Although I cannot promise to “build Rome in a day” Russo and Steele will always be open to suggestions, criticism and comments form both our clients and fellow enthusiasts. I will personally strive to always foster a level of integrity that binds our hobby. I look forward to your responses!

Drew Alcazar