Auction verification/required docs question

Hello everyone. Okay, so I admit I am still somewhat of a newbie when it comes to non-eBay online auctions in general, but it seems pretty strange to me that they would need my passport uploaded to them for me to be “verified”. I was making an account with an auction company when I came across this. Like, I get their need to make sure bidders are legit, but this (and asking for photo ID in general) seems a bit much and a very risky move to do. I can understand a past invoice or something like that, though, and of course numismatic references. For those knowledgeable on auctions/auction veterans, how typical is this? How do you feel about providing photo ID/personal documentation to online auction companies? Or am I just worrying about nothing? Thanks.

 

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It just depends on where the company is located.
In Italy a copy of a passport was (is) required by law to participate in auctions.
In the end is absolutely your choice to register with a passport or to abstain.
Sometimes a nice email or phone call helps.
Regards
Klaus

 

I have never heard of an auction house asking for a Passport, not even in Italy. Which auction house is it?

 

Cambi/Pandolfini Auctions asked for a photocopy of either drivers ID photo card or passport. Nomisma/ Varesi/ Ranieri/ Artemide Aste do not hassle you for ID
John

 

I've been asked for passports before. I don't remember all of them, but at least a couple of Spanish auction houses, perhaps some others in Europe (Switzerland and Germany?) and/or UK. I believe this usually has to do with (1) differential taxation for EU/UK/other customers abroad; AND/OR (2) import/export restrictions for cultural property and antiquities (less often, but likely in the case of Spain now).

(I suspect that "passport" is just the term people use for "ID" in many places, as Americans use "Driver's License" when they're asking for identification; an ID other than passport sometimes works fine. In at least one or two cases I asked if I could use my US driver's license and they were okay with it. But, depending on location, shipping address isn't necessarily enough because citizens/non-citizens are meant to pay (or not) regardless of where they're currently living.)

These are in response to technical legal and financial issues required in some places (sometimes it might not matter for $200 orders but they have to be prepared for $20,000 orders too).

 

As a US bidder I've always been able to get away with just saying "not available" or "no passport" and they don't seem to mind. I've bid in most countries in the EU and a few elsewhere in the last few years without problems.

 

I registered for the first time with Cayón Subastas last month. Here’s what they asked me : « We need image of your ID/Passport document and 2-3 recent paid invoices (international coin dealers you use to buy from) ». I gave them a scan of my driver’s license and it was OK. About Italy, I bought a coin from a member here and refused to give my passport informations to the Italian post…and my purchase is stuck in the il Centro Scambi Internazionale for 42 days without moving…

 

I wanted to buy a coin in the latest Cayón sale and I was asked the same requirements. Since firstly my passport has been stolen, secondly my scan is out of order, thirdly I don't want to accept exaggerated demands, and fourthly Cayón refuses Paypal, I will have a little more money for the next sale CNG, Nomos or Kunker...

 

Cayon has never asked me for documents/ plus they take bank drafts in euros. And send coins marked "no value"
I do not blame them for refusing paypal as they loose 4 % on transaction.

 

I've only bid in US auctions but, they usually only ask for a few references or a deposit. I've been bidding auctions since 1997 so I haven't been asked for a deposit in 20 years. Never had a problem setting up an auction account. However, I would be leery of sending a passport or photo ID over the internet. Once it goes thru the internet it's there forever.

 

Just FYI you can generally just take a photo with your camera phone in that situation (that's what I do). Had to do all of what you describe when I registered at Kuenker (images of ID/passport & invoices)

 

Thanks, good idea to take a picture with a cell phone. Although, with mine which dates from the paleolithic era...
In fact, I was very annoyed by these abusive requests, which no other seller has ever imposed on me in 40 years.

 

When I registered for the recent Cayon Subastas auction (an auction house in Madrid), I was told the following: "We need image of your ID/Passport document 2-3 recent paid invoices (international coin dealers you use to buy from)."

This was the first time I had received either kind of request, although of course I don't have an extensive history of bidding at auctions. But I didn't object to sending an image of my passport once Cayon said it was OK for me to redact (i.e., remove) the passport number first. The bigger annoyance was finding copies of invoices that were actually marked "paid." Most dealers send both an email and a hard copy of their invoice, but few of them have a "paid" stamp on them. Without that, they aren't very useful to prove that I pay my invoices! Fortunately, I did find a few.

I ended up winning one coin at the Cayon auction, and have already paid the invoice via Wise.com. But now I have to wait an estimated 3-6 weeks for Cayon to obtain the necessary export permit before they can send me the coin.

 

In today's world the only thing I would give up is the payment information. Anything legal needed they can go through proper channels; verification goes both ways! I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

If you paid for an invoice from Roma, there is a link in your account that lists all of your paid invoices. However, the page is set up listing the paid invoices and the associated PDFs. Unfortunately the word "Paid" does not appear on the PDF itself.

So if you were to use this source for paid invoices, you would have to print the page with the list of paid invoices, which are by date, and then print the associate invoice(s), and send that documentation to the auction house. Really, the simplest solution would be to have Roma send an email to the auction house recommending you. That should be more than sufficient on that front.

 

When I first registered with Cayon (2012) i just had to provide 5 auction references. Once I sent them that I had unlimited credit. Mr. Cayon did express on invoice payment via wire/ I sent a bank draft in euros/ telling him it cost me $45 to send wire/ while draft was free. He accepted that/ no problems.....

 

For Leu I signed up last year and they extended 5,000 Chf credit towards the auction. I believe they asked for a couple of references but not a passport. I suppose it also helps to have a Dr. in front of your name. I mean what "doctors" are scammers? To be clear I am not an M.D.

 

When I registered, I was shocked that they gave me unlimited credit at Leu. I had never done business with them. Also never dealt with Bank Leu/ former auction house. Its a funny world. But there have been dubious Doctors.....

 

Sure have

 

Good approach.