https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payne_v_Cave
Seller’s right to withdraw before, “Sold!”
Warlow v Harrison (1859) 1 E & E 309
https://swarb.co.uk/warlow-v-harrison-cexc-26-nov-1859/
Seller’s bid at without reserve auction not bona fide
Harris v Nickerson (1873) LR 8 QB 286
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_v_Nickerson
Withdraw of property at auction prior to being “put up”
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Smith v. Richards, 38 U.S. 26 (1839)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/38/26/
Warranties when bidders can’t reasonably inspect
Veazie v. Williams, 49 U.S. 134 (1850)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/49/134/
Fictitious bidding
Toyota v. Territory of Hawaii, 226 U.S. 184 (1912)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/226/184.html
Operating without an auctioneer’s license
Jackson v. Smith, 254 U.S. 586 (1921)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/254/586/
Auctioneers represent and are to be loyal to seller
Erie Cole & Coke Corporation v. U.S. 266 U.S. 518 (1925)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/266/518.html
Subject to seller confirmation auction upheld
Bidders/buyers must rely upon such terms as may be deemed best
Auction terms bind alike upon bidders and auctioneer
Mottram v. United States, 271 U.S. 15 (1926)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/271/15/
As-is with reasonable opportunity to preview
Auction advertising is subject to error
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Freeman v. Poole, 37 R.I. 489, 93 A. 786 (1915)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4110465/freeman-v-poole/
Seller bidding constitutes a withdrawal at auction
Cranston v. Western Idaho L. B. Co., 238 P. 528 (Idaho 1925)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/3413907/cranston-v-western-idaho-l-b-co/
Can the seller bid; when can the seller bid?
United States v. Atlanta Wrecking Co. 8 F.2d 542 (N.D. Ga. 1925)
https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-atlanta-wrecking-co
“As-is” with representative sample, and right to inspect
Ragusa v. Greco, 131 So. 849 (La. 1930)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/3481058/ragusa-v-greco/
Can the bid be “reopened?” after Sold!?
Faultersack v. Clintonville Sales Corp., 34 N.W.2d 682 (Wis. 1948)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4233469/faultersack-v-clintonville-sales-corp/
Auctioneer must keep client (seller) informed; auctioneer represents seller
Lott v. Delmar, 2 N.J. 229, 66 A.2d 25 (1949)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/3587039/lott-v-delmar/
Uniform Sales Act can be modified; provides a gap-filling purpose
United States v. Blair, 193 F.2d 557 (10th Cir. 1952)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/193/557/349599/
Bidders are bound by auctioneer/seller terms and conditions with actual or constructive notice
United States v. Weisbrod, 202 F.2d 629 (7th Cir. 1953)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/202/629/217204/
Bidders can be bound by reasonable auctioneer/seller terms and conditions
Zuhak v. Rose 264 Wis. 286 (1953)
https://law.justia.com/cases/wisconsin/supreme-court/1953/264-wis-286-4.html
At without reserve (absolute) auction, once a bid is placed, seller must convey
Drew v. Deere Co. 19 A.D.2d 308 (1963)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/196332719ad2d3081255
“Selling to the highest bidder” is not explicitly “without reserve”
There are only two types of auctions
Pillsbury v. McNabb, 37 Pa. D. & C. 2d 283 (1965)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/196532037padampc2d2831277
Absolute auction and the Statute of Frauds, right to withdraw
Roberts v. J.L. Todd Auction Co., 170 S.E.2d 862 (Ga. Ct. App. 1969)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1406744/roberts-v-jl-todd-auction-company/
Auctioneer can earn commission (and attorney fees) even if auction-seller doesn’t convey
Hoffman v. Horton 212 Va. 565, 186 S.E.2d 79 (Va. 1972)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/1972265186se2d791242
Auctioneer may reopen bid if bid comes in as hammer is falling
The UCC 2-328 applies to real estate auctions
Kinmon v. J.P. King Auction Co., 276 So. 2d 569 (1973)
https://law.justia.com/cases/alabama/supreme-court/1973/276-so-2d-569-1.html
Selling absolute means no minimum bid can be guaranteed
Withdrawal from absolute auction must be unequivocal
Forbes v. Wells Beach Casino, Inc., 307 A.2d 210, 219 (Me. 1973)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/1973517307a2d2101513
The UCC 2-328 applies to real estate auctions
Johnson v. Haynes, 532 S.W.2d 561 (1975)
https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-appeals/1975/532-s-w-2d-561-1.html
Marketing and advertising different from announced terms at auction commencement
Outpost Café, Inc. v. Fairhaven Savings Bank, 3 Mass. App. 1, 3, 322 N.E.2d 183 (1975)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2241848/outpost-cafe-inc-v-fairhaven-savings-bank/
The finality of an auction and the equity of ownership versus the equity of redemption
Johnson v. Haynes, 532 S.W.2d 561 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1975)
https://casetext.com/case/johnson-v-haynes-10
Auction terms not provided nor communicated are not effective
David Witherspoon, Inc. v. Wood, 588 S.W.2d 558 (Tenn. App. 1979)
Auctioneer licensing for individuals and/or business entities
Pitchfork Ranch Co. v. Bar Tl, 615 P.2d 541 (Wyo. 1980)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/19801156615p2d54111156
Selling “without reserve” requires to sell to the highest bidder
Minimum bid increments suggest a “with reserve” auction
Well v. Schoeneweis, 101 Ill. App. 3d 254, 257-58, 427 N.E.2d 1343 (1981)
The UCC 2-328 applies to real estate auctions
Westgate State Bank v. Clark, 642 P.2d 961 (Kan. 1982)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1187308/westgate-state-bank-v-clark/
Commercially reasonable sales, opportunity for preview
Wilson Freight Company, Debtor, WES-FLO Co., Inc., v. Wilson Freight Compnay and Parks and Parks, Reorganization No. 80 B 1129, Adv. No. 81-5664A. United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. New York. June 28, 1983.
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1815190/in-re-wilson-freight-co/
Seller bidding (shill bidding) below reserve price
Holston v. Pennington, 304 S.E.2d 287 (1983)
https://law.justia.com/cases/virginia/supreme-court/1983/801160-1.html
Absolute auction combined with multipar (open combination) bidding
Childs v. Ragonese, 40 A.2d 1031 (1983)
Is auctioneer due commission if buyer and seller don’t close?
Chevalier v. Sanford, 475 A.2d 1148, 1149 (Me. 1984)
The UCC 2-328 applies to real estate auctions
Kline v. Fineberg, 481 So. 2d 108 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1985)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1152488/kline-v-fineberg/
Can the bid be “reopened?” after Sold!?
Eaddy v. Dorn, 345 S.E.2d 513 (S.C.Ct. App. 1986)
https://law.justia.com/cases/south-carolina/court-of-appeals/1986/289-s-c-356-2.html
Bidder with bona fide intention to purchase (competent)
Chernick v. Fasig-Tipton Kentucky, Inc., 703 S.W.2d 885 (Ky. Ct. App. 1986)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1503896/chernick-v-fasig-tipton-kentucky-inc/
Buyer buying “as-is,” arbitration, reasonable inspection, latent vs. patent defects
Swinebroad-Denton Inc. v. Hornback, 744 S.W.2d 429 (Ky.App. 09/25/1987)
https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/59148be6add7b04934529931
Auctioneer undisclosed dual-agency, listing property already under contract otherwise
Cal. Equalization Bd. v. Sierra Summit, 490 U.S. 844 (1989)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/490/844/
State sales tax at a federal bankruptcy auction
Torbron v. Campen, 579 So. 2d 165 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1991)
https://casetext.com/case/torbron-v-campen
Nondisclosure of material (latent) facts before auction
Cantrell v. Morgan, No. 01A01-9008-CH-00289, 1991 (Tenn Ct. App April 26, 1991)
Necessity of an auctioneer license
Stormy Weathers, Inc. v. F.D.I.C., 834 F. Supp. 519 (D.N.H. 1993)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/834/519/1645714/
Fictitious bidding during an auction for the purpose of misleading or stimulating other persons who are bidding in good faith
Master Shore Builders, Inc. v. J.P. King Auction Co., No. 90-5817 (E.D. Pa June 6, 1993)
Knowingly operating without auction license breaches the covenant of good faith and fair dealing
Cuba v. Hudson & Marshall, Inc., 445 S.E.2d 386, 387, n.1 (Ga Ct. App. 1994)
https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/court-of-appeals/1994/a94a0903.html
Saying Sold! (hammer falling) “subject to” confirmation
Love v. Basque Cartel, 873 F. Supp. 563 (D. Wyo. 1995)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/873/563/1466455/
Minimum bid auction being converted to absolute above a certain amount
Pyles v. Goller, 109 Md. App. 71, 86 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 1996)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1986122/pyles-v-goller/
Absolute auction with multipar (combination) bidding
All bidders should “stand on equal footing” in regard to terms
Marten v. Staab, 453 N.W.2d 436, 443 (Neb. 1996)
https://law.justia.com/cases/nebraska/court-of-appeals/1995/a-94-621-8.html
Auctions are with reserve unless otherwise noted; only two types of auctions
Frenz v. Hoover, Stark (Ohio) Appeals No. 1996CA00096
Bid rigging; conspiracy between participants in an auction who agree not to bid against each other
Red Cardinal Fifteen, Inc. v. Lange, 96-1115, 1997 U.S. 106 F.3d 391 (4th Cir. 1997)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/106/391/558940/
Bogus (ficticious) bidding at auction and non-performance
Lindsey v. Coulter, 1998 WL 823125, at *6 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998)
http://www.tba.org/tba_files/TCA/1998/lindseyd.pdf
Seller does/doesn’t want auction to proceed
Chimney Cove Ltd. v. National Auction Group, #18628 Dist Ct. of Burnet County, Tex, 33rd Judicial District 1998
Seller bidding at an absolute auction
East v. Brown, 986 P.2d 523-25 (Okla. Civ. App. 1999)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/19991509986p2d52311507
With reserve auction stating particular reserve allows for other reservations
Express Auction Servs., Inc. v. Conley, 732 A.2d 1012 (Md. 1999)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/md-court-of-special-appeals/1396100.html
Auctioneer practicing traditional real estate without proper licensing
Kearney v. J.P. King Auction Co., Inc., 265 F.3d 27 (1st Cir. 2001)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-1st-circuit/1481045.html
Sales talk and/or puffing prior to auction not binding
Deere & Co. v. Miller-Godley Auction, 249 Ga. App 797, 549 S.E. 2d 762 (2001)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ga-court-of-appeals/1358076.html
Auctioneers are to assure bidders/buyers good title
Threatt v. Nat’l Auction Group, Inc., No. 01-A-11508-6 (Gwinnett County Super. Ct. Nov. 2, 2001)
Misrepresentation of what chattels go along with real property auction
Rose v. National Auction Group, 646 N.W.2d 455 (2002)
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/848867/rose-v-national-auction-group-inc/
Seller and auctioneer conspiring to put a shill bidder in to assure a certain price
Pronghorn Dev., Ltd. v. National Auction Group, No. 02DV7822532 (Mo. Howell Cty. Cir. Ct., Cir. Div. Jan 6, 2003)
Qualifying all auction bidders with same criterea; treating all bidders the same except for price
National Auction Group v. Hammett, 854 So. 2d 65, 69 (Ala.2003)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/al-supreme-court/1026392.html
Auctioneer denoting “Sold!” to a property not for sale (no listing agreement)
Greene v. Rogers Realty & Auction Co., 586 S.E.2d 278 (N.C. Ct. App. 2003)
https://www.ncbusinesslitigationreport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/uploads/file/Judge%20Ervin%20Breach%20Fiduciary%20Duty.pdf
Selling “as-is” or caveat emptor and buyer being responsible to verify
Colburn v. Baier Realty & Auctioneers (2003)
https://law.justia.com/cases/ohio/eleventh-district-court-of-appeals/2003/2003-ohio-6694.html
Absolute auction results far below expectations
Money v. Ft. Hays State Univ. Endowment Association, 64 P.3d 458 (Kan. Ct. App. 2003)
https://casetext.com/case/money-v-ft-hays-state-univ-endowment-assn
Bidders can be held to known (or provided) terms and conditions
Young v. Hefton, Court of Appeals, Kansas (2007)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ks-court-of-appeals/1183206.html
There are “generally” three types of auctions
Seller terms and conditions must be reasonable
Udall v. T.D. Escrow, 154 P.3d 882 (2007)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/wa-court-of-appeals/1396022.html
Auctioneer binds seller/buyer with “Sold” even if below minimum bid
New Texas Auto Auction Services (Big H Auto Auction) v. Hernandez, No. 06-0550, Supreme Court of Texas
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-supreme-court/1117236.html
Auctioneer liability for selling defective product
Callimanopulos v. Christie’s Inc., 621 F. Supp. 2d 127 (2009)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/2009748621mfsupp2d1271736
The UCC 2-328 and where a bid is made while the hammer is falling, the auctioneer has the discretion to recognize that bid even after the hammer has fallen
Tony Shafrazi Gallery v. Christie’s International, 2009 N.Y. Slip Op. 31088 (N.Y. Misc. 2009)
https://law.justia.com/cases/new-york/appellate-division-first-department/2012/112192-07-8918.html
Unknowingly selling counterfeit at auction
Simmons v. Danhauer & Assocs., LLC, 2010 WL 4238856 (D.S.C. Oct. 21, 2010)
https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/59146293add7b049342552cd
The UCC 2-328 applies to an online auctions
Biancalana v. T.D. Service Co. 200 Cal.App.4th 527 (2011)
https://www.leagle.com/decision/incaco20111031048
Auctioneer saying “Sold!” for the wrong amount
Koch v. Christie’s International, 11-1522 (2d Cir. 2012)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1613636.html
Auctioneer/seller false and/or misleading representations of property
Wabash Power Equipment, Co. v. BTU State Line, LLC, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2:13-CV-202-TLS-JEM (N.D. Ind. Mar. 13, 2014)
https://casetext.com/case/wabash-power-equip-co-v-btu-state-line
Auctioneer selling “as-is” with property descriptions; non-reliance clause
Village at Redlands Group LP v. Auction.com Inc. Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, Case No.: 30-2015-00777483-CU-FR-CJC
https://nypost.com/2014/12/25/lawsuit-targets-googles-auction-com/
Undisclosed (misrepresented) bidding by seller
Brennan v. Bergen County Prosecutor Office, A-62-16, 078074 (2018)
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nj-supreme-court/1896517.html
Disclosure of the names and addresses of successful bidders at a public auction
Alex Lyon & Son, Sales Managers & Auctioneers, Inc. v. Leach, 844 S.E.2d 120 (W.Va. 2020)
https://law.justia.com/cases/west-virginia/supreme-court/2020/18-0383.html
Treating auction bidders with the same terms and conditions; equal footing
