Cowan's Auctions Reviews

The description of the lot purchased was wrong. Customer Service resolved our differences. Now I am a happy customer.

Used to be a fairly reputable operation, but no longer. A number of items have been and are totally misrepresented and any rectifying attempts are met with disdain. Would have consigned a major collection with them, but no longer!

Fantastic Customer service and items are well packaged. Knowledgeable and professional staff

Got a fantastic deal! Really nice folks there. Very friendly and helpful. Thanks!!

First time I dealt with this company everything went OK. Items were mailed via USPS to my POST OFFICE BOX and it cost me $9.00 in brokerage fees to get it across the border.
Second time, same shipping charges, same POST OFFICE address, but they decide to use United Parcel Service. Did they contact me for a correct shipping address? NO. Did they ask me if I had my own courier account? NO. Did they ask me if I had my own brokerage firm? NO. They just decided to ship to a POST OFFICE BOX mailing address rather than contact me. Apparently their "expert shipping department" doesn't know that a mailing address and a shipping address can be two different things. City people no doubt. When I contacted them and asked them to do an intercept with UPS they refused to do so. When asked why they shipped this way I was told it was a cheaper shipping method! Since they charged $2.00 more than the first time who was it cheaper for? Not me, cause courier companies charge more than $9.00 to broker items across the border if you don't have an account with them. They charge a value of the percentage of the goods. So the brokerage fee cost me an extra $129.84 which I had to pay before I got my goods which were bouncing all over the country because of the POST OFFICE address on the package. Why UPS even accepted the package is beyond me, which is why I don't deal with them.
When I complained to Cowan's they told me I shouldn't have assumed that they would send it by the Post office like they did last time! Guess it's my fault that they used a courier to a POST OFFICE BOX without questioning it first. As far as the extra cost they are so clueless that they think the brokerage charges are for duty. There is no duty on Most Favoured Nation traders, which Canada and the US are. The extra charges are caused by a shipping department who uses the cheapest method for them and pockets the difference. To hell with what it cost the customer on the other end. Plus the fact they sent 9 pieces of jewellery in a 18 X 13 x 13 inch box! You pay by volume not just weight in case you don't know.
They are charging 23% on the hammer price, plus another 3% if you use a credit card for 26% of the hammer price. Then once they have your credit card they ship the most convenient way for them, and don't give a damn about any extra charges this would cause to their customers.
The auction was on the 19 of Nov. 2018, invoice not received till Dec 10, shipped on Dec 12 and finally received on Dec 17 after numerous calls to UPS trying to re-direct it to my physical address and not the post office.
Had Cowan's not taken a holier than thou attitude about this I might still deal with them, but I'm in business to make money for me not them and 26% plus any lack of responsibility to the customer just turns me off.

Hindman Auction Or This auction are not good auction houses if you want to sell your arts. I have too many bad experience with them. I am not longer doing business with them.

Had some items that have been in the family for years with no idea on value. Katie went the extra mile to help determine what we had and gave me leads on some other items we had. Communication and service from her was outstanding. Great customer service!

Excellent auction house. They vet their items and stand behind them. I've consigned and purchased many items over the years and always satisfied. Of course true value of an item is determined by the market. If you're bidding understand the Buyer's Premium which is pretty standard in the market these days. I figure a BP is also representative of the quality of the auction house.. These guys are right up there with Sotheby's and Christies, but with better service!

**OUTSTANDING AUCTION HOUSE** COWAN'S OFFERS WONDERFUL AND VARIED ITEMS UP FOR AUCTION AND THEIR CATALOG DESCRIPTIONS ARE ACCURATE. THE COWAN'S STAFF IS VERY HELPFUL, KNOWLEDEABLE AND WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ONE MIGHT HAVE. I CANNOT BEGIN TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THIER EXPERT AND SUPERIOR PACKING SKILLS. THE THREE 1800'S GILT SHEFFIELD ARMORIAL WINE COOLERS, THAT ONCE BELONGED TO THE EARLS OF SHREWSBURY, ARRIVED SAFE AND SOUND AND THEY LISTEN TO YOUR PACKING CONCERNS. BID AND BUY WITH CONFIDENCE!! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT PURCHASE.

I have dealt with several big auction houses and Cowan-Hindman's, has been above par thorough and knowledgeable. I am very pleased with to deal with Danica Farnand and Anne Wu. I will definitely keep them in mind for future sales.