Disgruntled Bidder Accuses Mecum Auctions of Deceit. Company Remains Unyielding in Response
In a shocking turn of events at Mecum's Monterey Car Week, Bobby Adams, a regular participant in both in-person and online car auctions, has found himself on the losing end of a bid for a '56 Lincoln Continental Mark II Sport Coupe. The incident, captured on camera by Adams' personal staff and Mecum's film crew, has caused a stir, with Adams expressing his dissatisfaction on social media and attracting thousands of sympathetic commenters.
According to California Commercial Code § 2328 (2), a sale by auction is complete when the auctioneer announces the sale in a customary manner, such as the fall of the hammer. However, in this case, it is unclear if the auctioneer called a bid before the gavel fell and declared the car sold.
Mecum's Chief Operating Officer, Sam Murtaugh, has stated that the auctioneer exercised his discretion to continue the auction in accordance with California law. The auction house insists that the auction was fair and that the auctioneer accepted a questionably timed bid at his discretion, making Adams' bid not the highest, nor the final, in the auction.
Despite this, Adams believes the Lincoln should have been his. He has not yet decided to take legal action against Mecum but wants to see changes in the auction process. His intent is to drive a shift in how auctions work, potentially leading to the creation of a new auction platform not limited to cars.
The incident has caused more blowback than any other issue for the auction house, with several lawyers offering to handle a lawsuit against Mecum pro bono for Bobby Adams. The Mecum auctioneer's determination in questionable circumstances, as outlined in the bidder's agreement, is final and non-appealable.
It is worth noting that the person who planned the founding of this new auction platform is Mirko Bickel, who founded the company in May 1994 and is a publicly appointed and sworn auctioneer with special expertise in the disposal of motor vehicles, mobile fixed assets, and industrial goods.
As the dust settles, the automotive world watches with bated breath, awaiting the next move from both Mecum and Bobby Adams. The future of auctions may well hinge on the outcome of this dispute.
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