What happened to Manion's?

petermgb · Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Posts: 3

Hello fellow collectors,
Just checking in to see if anyone knows what happened to Manion's International Auction House?
I had been a buyer/seller there for 30 years until recently. After selling some really nice items it took me over a year ( 20 phone calls and a letter by the Kansas City consumer dept.) to get paid. Are they on the fringe of folding or did I just get burnt? John Conway, who by the way, is a really nice guy, couldn't give me any answers to why the delay for consignors to get paid. Is 15 months a bit much for consignments payoff? Why don't they list the payoff dates on their website? What happened to Ron Manion?
Has anyone else had any problems?
Regards,
Peter

Hillbilly Bill · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 29

Howdy

I was told over 1 year ago, that one of my oldest collector friends has had virtually no luck getting paid his money, on items sold many months ago. The Auction house got paid long ago, but they simply refuse to pay him what they owe. It is many thousands of dollars.

Yesterday I was speaking on the phone to another collector who I have known for at least 33 years. Same situation regarding that auction house had soured him and he was quitting collecting militaria entirely. Apparently the amount he is owed is significantly over $10,000 as well. Not being paid his money while those at the auction house are getting their paychecks and paying their bills, is making him very angry.

I wonder how anyone would ever trust that company at all when the people who have done honest business with them are abused and ignored. Whatever the 'reasons' or excuses, there is no reason acceptable for taking a persons item, selling it, getting the money, and then refusing to give the seller the cash he is due. Especially as the auction house wants 20% on top of the selling price and 20% of the seller's price as well!

Words to the wise.
Bill Hill

henry2dr · Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 5

hello all, I think that when Ron Manion sold the business, his successors did not keep the standards that had been set. I delt with Manions back in the 70's when you could by a nice ss helmet for $200.00 There was a time when repro items would never be allowed in Ron's auction. He ran a first class auction site not only for militaria but also for small collectables as well. A dealer I know in my area use to send thousands of dollars in german and american militaria to Ron for each auction and he never had a problem getting his money on time. Now he is owed several thousand dollars and there is no telling when he might see it. Manions keeps telling him they will need to make payments to him.Also you are right the fees have gotten out of hand. Just goes to show I guess nothing lasts forever.

seeking3945 · Joined: 16 Sep 2008 Posts: 54

I just got my check after 7 months and only because the customer service gal responded to my story that i was told by a lying sack of you know what that he personally mailed it on May 8th.His name is steven allen and hes the consignment guy who is a liar and lacks honesty.I believe that the new headman Tucker is paying off like a Ponzi scheme!!My advise is what i am sending in a letter to this guy that i will never send a rusty tinnie to this pack of liars and bs artists.Personally i couldn't care less if he did go down the toliet,it what he deserves!!All those who are owed money contact your Postal Inspection service and make a complaint against manions and see if that will shake these clowns up!!

seeking3945 · Joined: 16 Sep 2008 Posts: 54

Members,Just an update on the Manion situation.If you read my previous post on the doings at manions you will realize do not,i repeat do not send any items to this auction house.After the BS from their "CONSIGNMENT GUY" i wrote a letter to the fairly new owner Jody Tucker and told him i will never deal with his auction again!!But like the banks, insurance companies, and all the rest of them i did not receive a reply from this guy.To him we are just a bunch of suckers who he feeds off.Well do to him what he is doing to all of us,tell him to take a long walk off a short pier or words to that effect!!I have gotten two collectors to no longer consign to this cretin and will continue to inform any and all (shows,internet,phone).The only way to hurt these guys is in the wallet!!Carl D. PS.If you want to know more please e-mail or post me.

dolchmann07 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 11

With Manions being located in my part of the country, I have heard just about everything, as far as excuses. Ron Manion had gotten way late paying people before he sold it. Then the place of business was wiped off the face of the planet by a tornado (this is fact) I knew people who actually were paid to walk around large area's of land to find pieces here and there. But I will say it again, the consignee's were already being paid 6 to 18 months late and sometimes not at all. I know one person who had $13,000 due to him, and they would send him checks of $600 - $800 after he called them everyday for years. It was a massive mess to work with the insurance company to file a claim, and they ran many false auctions to try to prove value's on items to insurance companies. If any one has every tried to put a insurance amount on something like this, you know can be a nightmare. They lost all computer records. (or so they say) But the false auctions turned a lot of people off.
The new owner was probably shown cooked books, and she is trying to play catch up and honor previous sellers. But it seems to me she is fighting a losing battle. I have asked a few old timers about Manions and have seen them break down and cry. No telling how much they were ripped off for. I have a friend who was going to retire and use what he sold his collection for to buy a home at the lake. His dream is gone. It is a shame, but Manions is NOT THE PLACE TO SEND YOUR COLLECTIBLES ANYMORE....

dolchmann07 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 11

While it burns the hell out of me, I will never send them anything else.
They are paying people, little by little. I think it is like a ponzi thing.
But if they are put out of business NO ONE will get paid, I just try to advise people to steer clear and not send them anything. In the past 2 issues on Military Trader Magazine, it seems like the writers are making excuses up for the lies Manions is feeding people, and it is said in the middle of articles, like it is matter of fact, that consignment places can not always collect in a timely manner. I think Manions is their biggest advertisers. If this is so, how can the magazine have any credibility. In case you have not figured it out, I am waiting on a check and the check is in the mail....

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