timelineauctions.com Reviews 

My experience was stellar start to finish and I’m a first time novice buyer. Customer service was exceptionally responsive and communication was swift. Very surprising and pleasant auction experience

I have been involved in numismatics for over twenty years, as a collector, professional and scholar, and as such I have been fortunate enough to do business with a large number of numismatists from all over the world. A few months ago, I decided to expand the range of auction houses from which I buy within the UK, so I took part in the Naville's and TimeLine's Auctions. Naville's staff was great but TimeLine's...

As it was my first purchase and I wanted to test the waters, I only bid on a few relatively minor lots. Besides, I'd read in the payment details that they only accepted credit card payments up to £500. I ended up winning four lots, for a total hammer price of £240. Within twenty-four hours of receiving the invoice, I had already made the payment by credit card and had written to them to arrange delivery within the UK. That's when the nightmare began. Without any prior consultation, they issued a refund, later claiming that the country of origin of the credit card and the delivery address did not match. I explained to them on several occasions that at that time I had no way of making the payment by bank transfer, as it is extremely difficult to make an international transfer from Argentina, but they turned a deaf ear to my reasons. One after another, the company's staff simply insisted that I had to make the payment via Wise (a platform I do not use) or by bank transfer. Furthermore, they told me that the refund had been processed automatically by the system, which was a lie, as it had been approved by the bank and credited to their account. They refused to let me pay again with my card (which is obviously in my name), and began sending me warnings about an unpaid invoice. I wanted to cancel the purchase, but they never gave me a clear answer.

Eventually, whilst I was trying to find someone to make the transfer on my behalf – and pay that person to do so – I received a letter from the company's lawyer threatening to take legal action against me if I did not pay within the next five days.

I finally managed to make the payment, but I also had to pay an extra £52 in 'storage' penalties, on top of the money I lost due to the exchange rate charged by my card when I received the refund. But that wasn't all, as they wanted to charge me a further £56.40 for delivery within the UK. After complaining, I managed to get them to send it via Royal Mail to the UK address I'd given them at a cost of £38.40. This amount hadn't been included on the original invoice either, which meant I had to make a second payment.

In total, for my £240 hammer purchase, I ended up paying over £350. But the worst part wasn't that; it was the staff's poor attitude and their complete lack of empathy and goodwill. I showed a willingness to pay from the outset, and as I mentioned above, I settled the payment within 24 hours. Yet they chose to adopt a completely irrational stance, detached from reality. I am a regular customer of Stephen Album, LEU, Baldwin's, CNG and Spink, but I have also bought from Jean Elsen, Savoca, Roma, Lanz and London Ancient Coins. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before; the people at TimeLine have no interest whatsoever in making things easy for their customers, nor in encouraging them to take part in their auctions again.

When faced with a customer who wants to make a purchase and is willing to pay quickly, they prefer to issue a refund on the basis of a ridiculous excuse, adopt an utterly inflexible stance, harass the customer in an unpleasant manner and complicate matters to such an extent that the payment ends up being delayed for several days, taking up far more of the customer's time and resources.

I wouldn't wish the dreadful experience I had with the staff of TimeLine Auctions on anyone. There are excellent auction houses – far more prestigious, professional and friendly than this one – both within and outside the UK. Just give them a wide berth; you'll thank me for it.

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I would like to clarify that, after I posted the negative review, I received an email from Mr Hammond. He was very kind, showed genuine concern about what had happened, and, as well as explaining the situation, was very self-critical of the company’s attitude and apologised to me. Whilst this does not undo the negative experience, I feel I must mention it because I thought it was a remarkable gesture.

Sold my items twice using this auction house I had to wait a year to be paid. Their excuse was the bidder didn’t pay them. Most reputable auction houses take a card and you don’t have the choice. After being through this stupid scenario twice I asked them to just send my small Roman bangles back, they wanted £50. So they have got you. If you’re prepared to wait a year to sell your goods carry on.

So, this seller is absolutely stunning! I say this because the Auction House was able to solve an issue not easy to solve! All the guys working there are kind, ready to help and , especially, ready to solve! Buy with confidence. 5 stars experience!

TimeLine Actions places great value on the development of scientific knowledge. I am a university researcher and have contacted this company twice for more details on archaeological objects of great interest for my research project. They responded very quickly and kindly gave me the help I needed. Thank you very much to them

I have purchased many ancient Roman coins fromTimeline Auctions and its service to me has been nothing, but exemplary. Communications has always been same day, even on Sundays. Shipping is kind of expensive, but it is reliable. I have read complaints about their shipping times, but that is out of their control as the items have to go through UK customs and the recipient country’s customs. I’ve purchased coins from other respectable vendors and had the coin held up in US customs
for 6 weeks. Some people complain that Timeline sells fakes/imitations and they do, but when they do they put it into the item description. It is in the buyer if they do not read the description carefully. Surprisingly enough, there is a market for fake antiquities, which is why these items are for sale. Timeline has been a very positive and helpful partner of mine in my quest for ancient coins. Its integrity and customer service are excellent.

5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟from us!
From start to finish Brett , Aaron & Lisa have all been absolutely fabulous 🤩 would definitely highly recomend these & we will be using them again v soon , from apparaisel to the hammer price can’t fault them what so ever , thank you guys & merry Xmas 🤶🏻

Timeline. Auctions have become my number one option house. Thanks to the great people in the company, especially Lisa. She was so professional taking my payment over the line from America so easy so polite I could talk to her for hours. I highly highly highly recommend timeline options, Mr. Hebb from Williamsburg Va.

22/5/23 Emailed them with an absentee bid
They replied "register online on our web site"
Horrible design form but completed it and submitted, crashed 3 times
Emailed them advising and provided the required scan of my passport
Account set up / approved, hurray!
Placed absentee bid BUT they do not treat it as an absentee bid, they treat it as a Timed (eBay style) bid; BIG difference (no thanks).
So they removed that bid for me and agreed I would bid live on their platform (not ATG who charge an extra 6%).
Got my name wrong (totally wrong)
23/5/23 Go to bid live. Password wrong! No! Reset and changed it anyway. Account pending review!
Emailed them, but you have already approved me!
No reply, unable to bid.
And the lot sold for much less than my absentee bid was for (Seller's and buyer's be warned).
Director called me when told not to and started to lecture me; criminal complaint of harassment warning given.

PS It would appear that my inability to bid was deliberate, a result of bad attitude by a certain staff member. If so, really bad attitude as a) what / why??!! and b) they never informed me.

NOT GOOD