Auction Catalogue Descriptions

Do members think that missing tabs from tinplate tanks that retain the tank to the diecast body for Dinky Supertoys Foden and Leyland tankers be included in an auction description? In my opinion, missing tabs could indicate that something has been carried out with the model and this would not come under the definition of normal wear and tear, such as chipping. Would a description of 'good plus' be satisfactory or should the cataloguer mention the problem with the tabs??

If there is a problem with missing tabs that SHOULD be mentioned - it is so obviously not general wear
and tear.Welcome to the forum,
it is a friendly place
and we are getting more an more people on it.THE MORE THE MERRIER ! ! Dave

Besides the missing tabs I presume a bigger issue to be mentioned is that apparently the tank is loose now
OR glued on (how is it mounted then ?).Apart
from
that it remains a mystery: I cannot imagine how all tabs would be missing
after
one action of bending
and rebending them for replacement of the tank.Isn ' t there any paint damage on the spots of the tabs gone ?
And: is the tank a version (colour / livery) that does not usually match the cab / chassis unit
or represents a very rare combination / mix ? Anyway,
important enough to be explicitly mentioned in the description of the model auctioned ! ' Good plus ' is not enough just to register this ' imperfection '.Kind regards,
Jan

Hello Dave
and Jan Many thanks for your valued comments.Wrote to Harry T about this some time back but never heard anything further.
Where
the tabs were is some sort of glue which holds the tank very tightly.I brought it to the attention of the auction house but they stand by their cataloguer.One thing though,
the cataloguer states ' that the grading of Good shows the item will have had more use,
showing obvious imperfections.' However,
the grading of this model according to the description in both the printed
and online catalogues refers to the model ' s condition as being Good to Good Plus .That I think equates to an implausible explanation provided by the ' specialist ' that is simply incorrect.A pity he had not read the description he wrote before offering his advice to the administration department of the auction house.I referred it to VW the general manager whom I met in 2012,
bringing all the facts to her attention,
but she stands by her staff.I have been a client of this auction house since 1994,
and I am astounded with my treatment,
having
spent well over AUD $ 150,
000 though this company.I would have settled for a payment equal to the cost of postage to return the model
and its box.One wonders what has happened ! I have had a real problem with the company a couple of years ago when the specialist did not recognise my Terex with a Euclid base.He also failed to recognise my rare Hudson in light blue with stone roof,
combining it with three other models
and gave a value of 45 pounds.Fortunately the lot did not sell,
I was able to have the company agree to me re - writing the description with the Hudson as a separate lot,
and it eventually sold for 240 pounds ! My first encounter with NL the ' specialist ' was when I saw an obvious error with a lot containing a 660 with windows
and detachable trailer in a yellow lidded box with the description stating the model was in the correct box ! NL wrote to me through one of the clerks stating the box was the last issue
and therefore the model was in the correct box.I could not believe his stupidity.I then embarked on an exercise of checking through numerous auctions over the past few years
and the number of errors was astounding.The company should not be employing someone who obviously does not know anything about Dinky Toys.Lastly,
it is a welcome relief to read that some folk agree that broken tabs are not a sign of normal wear
and tear.Thanks guys ! ! Bruce
from
Down Under ! ! [img] / images / sites / default / files / old - forum - images / IMG_5807_600x800.jpg [/img]

Hi Bruce,
I certainly wouldn ' t be happy to get that Tanker
after
seeing it described as good.Question is what was the tank removed for ? Is it even the original tank ? More worrying is how easy a very rare variation like the two tone blue Mk2 Tanker can be made using a Mk1 Blue tank fitted to a Mk2 Blue / Orange flat tail chassis,
even the light blue hubs are correct,
the only way to tell it ' s not for real is the damaged tabs underneath.I know because a few years ago I used two heavily playworn examples to make myself one.
After
a few weeks I put them back as they were,
and only broke one tab in the process,
so to break 4 tabs shows some serious heavy handed work,
or that that tank has been on
and off a few times.Chris Warr.

Thanks Chris for your most valued comments.With the catalogue description of GOOD TO GOOD PLUS it is unbelievable that the auction house has stood its ground in refusing to take the model back,
or offer some sort of financial compensation.The sad part about it is the auction house is a well known,
extremely large company in the north of England that goes under the name of ' Collectable Toy Specialists ' - a company that is very close to the DTCA.Even my loyalty going back to its earlier days when I won my first auction lot in 1993,
21 years ago was never taken into consideration.Thanks again Chris,
and to all those members who have supported me through this difficult process,
made more difficult by the long distance between Australia
and the UK.Bruce Hoy

Greetings all How does the readership think of the following lot in the 25 November 2014 sale at Vectis: Photo courtesy of Vectis Auctions And now read the lot's description: Dinky No.511 Guy (1st type) Lorry finished in fawn cab, red chassis and ridged hubs with black smooth tyres, green back,toe hook - Good (back has been swapped at some time) in a Fair buff lift off lid box (paper label has been removed) and No.521 Bedford Articulated Lorry - green cab and ridged hubs with black smooth tyres, red and black trailer with ridged hubs and black treaded tyres,toe hook - Good (does have some repainting in places) in a Good Plus buff lift off lid box with paper label. (2) Apart from someone's toe coming into the equation, (the same 'toe' also appears in several other lots in the same auction) but the 'some repainting in places' is a little rich. The manner whereby the 521 has been photographed also hides the colour of the wheels unfortunately. The lot description does mention the Guy's back, but what about the Bedford's cab-chassis? Kind regards Bruce

Just me but, axle ends too bright on the Bedford? Guy just looks wrong in that colour combo? CW.

STARNI999 wrote: 'Just me but, axle ends too bright on the Bedford? Guy just looks wrong in that colour combo? CW.' Chris Sorry I was still in the middle of posting this topic!! The problem with this website is its inability to include pictures as well as other material that has to be posted first before editing can take place!! There - my editing has been completed, but thanks for your prompt response! Bruce

I was puzzled and astonished seeing this picture with the Bedford Articulated Lorry on the Vectis site. Whether it's a miracle or a fake, this should have been very explicitly mentioned! Kind regards, Jan

Greetings! Here are yet further 'classic' auction lots. To begin with, it is a good thing those participating knew what the model was and not what the cataloguer thought it was!! South African Dinky No.176 Austin A105 Saloon - cream body, mid-blue roof, side flash, cream ridged hubs with white knobbly tyres - minor rubbing to roof, slight staining to tyres otherwise Near Mint in Fair card box, tape repairs to one end. Estimate:

The buyer beware situation has never been more pertinent. I had a longish meeting with Hugo Marsh the other day and he mentioned he was disappointed with a few thing but didn't elaborate. Dave