(02-16-2012 02:17 AM)Anna Acanthus Wrote: And as for this happening at auctions i really think the auctioneer should check and inform the seller that they can't present the kitty as such if this is indeed the case.
I agree 100%, Anna - but I must also admit that as an auctioneer, you sometimes stand in a difficult dilemma, when the person who paid money for you to sell his/her cat added a comment that is wrong or misleading, or named the cat something wrong and misleading.
-That means that basically, we have to outright declare the seller as a liar - which many auctioneers obviously have trouble with. While it may seem so very easy to just speak the truth of things, do know that in some cases it is FAR from easy when you're in the situation.
Personally, I ALWAYS try to be honest about what a cat can and can't hide, even to the point where I completely disregard the seller's comments about it. It is a choice I have made, and most sellers have taken it well - a few even apologized for being mistaken and setting the wrong name or comment in the first place.
-However, I can't say that noone was EVER mislead on my auctions - it much depends on how well people pay attention. If a cat is named "I hide round ears!", I will openly say it if there is only a CHANCE that it hides round ears - but I most likely will not "rub it in" more than strictly necessary - I am not there to put anyone down for a mistake like that, or discredit an otherwise good breeder.
New auctioneers have previously asked me this question - "What on earth should I do when a seller provides wrong info??" - it IS a general nightmare of auctioneers, and something you have to decide with yourself before committing to sell other people's cats: How will I act in these cases.
While no sellers have really ever given me trouble for telling the (however unpleasant) truth about their cat, I have over the time received much praise from the buyers for being - albeit sometimes a bit too brutally - honest.
-And I sincerely hope that if and when people "catch" me in a mistake, they will let me know. No, I am NOT flawless! Once, after an auction, someone IM'ed me saying "Did panel X really hide this-and-that like you said??"... and taking a 2nd long look at the pedigree, NO... it did not! I was devastated, and asked the person that if they ever saw me making a mistake like that again, PLEASE to speak up!
-So that is my plea to you, dear auction-addicts - if you see an auctioneer make a mistake like that - myself included - dare to speak up!! I will almost guarantee you that if seller and/or auctioneer is honest - and really, MOST people are - you will get praise rather than grief if you politely point people's attention to something like that. Auctioneers & sellers would - if they're wise - rather have that, than end up with a reputation of mis-informing costumers.
Ok, this ended up as a long rant - but goes to show, I guess, that this topic is indeed something that is VERY relevant for auctioneers and their costumers. -Be aware of it - help us if we miss it ourselves. Thank you :-)
Saga
Please Be Carefull !!
