Bonhams Reviews 

Following the Modern & Contemporary Art Online sale of 28 November 2015, I acquired a photographic diptych from Bonhams.

Before bidding, I formally requested a condition report. It specifically stated that the frames and Plexiglas were in poor condition, but clearly confirmed that the photographs themselves showed no damage. This assurance was a determining factor in my decision to purchase.

Upon receiving the works, I discovered that one of the two photographs contains a clearly visible scratch of approximately 4 cm, easily noticeable even to a non-expert. This defect was neither mentioned in the condition report nor visible in the pre-sale images, likely because it could have been mistaken for a mark on the frame.

As a long-standing collector of fine art photography, I have always considered major international auction houses to be a guarantee of rigor, transparency, and professionalism. I have purchased from Sotheby’s, Phillips, and Christie’s without ever encountering such a serious failure in reporting or responsibility.

This experience has definitively broken my trust in Bonhams.

This was my first purchase with them — and it will unquestionably be my last.

Useless
Broke my Windmills pocket watch.
Rubbish communication
Little knowledge, take items to an office to Google the value.
Never again

Had an absolutely atrocious first (and last!) experience with Bonham’s. The employees are terse, arrogant, and have no desire to provide real assistance with transactions. Also, they collect a massive sum as their cut, yet refuse to ship and insure the item which weighs less than an ounce. So now I am on my own to deal with international shipping using a company I’ve never heard of.

I will NEVER use this company again.

They have taken over Bruun Rasmussen in Denmark, and now they have destroyed this auction house completely. "Thank you"

If you're going to offer online bidding - make sure it works, it's fair, and it's transparent. Bonhams fail on all 3 counts.

I bid on two auctions online today. The bidding was slow and the auctioneer acknowledged my bid on both counts. I was the winning bidder - and then the site says I lost!

The site acknowledges my first bid, but says I lost to an identical bid. My second bid isn't even listed.

Massively disappointing, confusing and frustrating. I will not do it again.

1. They collect commission without providing any service
2. You have to take care of shipping yourself
3. No email service

The Bonham's website offers a free valuation on items you can submit. I submitted a a piece of jewelry that is 250 years old.
Instead of a valuation I got an no reply email with a denial. No valuation. Very dishonest. NOT trust worthy. I would never consign an item here.

You were warned!

Won a bid £2,500 early 25 June- recd email saying collection information attached - it was not - emailed and no response - tried to get info by email 3 times - no response - hot email to validate ID - did that and message said we will confirm if successful - no conformation recd - have sent a furthe 3 emails in August - still no response and trying to arrange trip to London to collect. So far they have had my 2k for 2 months. Worse customer experience ever. Hope their arrogance and ignorance is their downfall the sooner the better - will not consign or buy from them again BEWARE

Website says that they will give a free valuation for a painting.
I had a prompt reply to say that they would not be able to sell my paintings.
No advice on where else I might try, no estimate or reason given,
Would not recommend this company.

Requested a valuation on 2nd of July and there was no answer from Bonhams Suggest to find someone else to sell your antiques as Bonhams seem to be just Time Wasters

Terrible customer service. It’s like you are privileged to even want to deal with them .. get from up your own arse Bonhams and respect people.

Excellent James at Motorcycles MK top man...could not be more helpful ....

Bonhams sent an email saying the information I needed was attached, didn't include the attachment. I followed up on this, they claimed they replied with the information. Never saw it come through - thought, maybe my mistake... Searched my inbox, and no. They did not. Asked for it again. Did not receive any response.

Eventually I gave up, did some research, and instead emailed them saying hey, this is what I think the information is - can you just confirm? Replied without confirming. I followed up and said hey - I really need to know this is the correct information. No response.

This has been 2 weeks of emailing. How useless can you be?!

This is the first time in over 50 years of being in business I have left a negative/one-star review for any company.
I am amazed of the total incompetence of Bonhams auction house. Agreed before a recent automobilia online auction that if successful paper (sales brochures) lots could be collected at New Bond Street. Agreed again before I summitted a bid. Advised that I had won a couple of lots paid immediately and confirmed the 2 lots would be picked up on the Friday at New Bond Street, agreed to again. This was important as a family member was collecting on my behalf before leaving London and traveling back on the Sunday. Sent all details and confirmation to release the 2 lots to family member along with id etc. etc confirmed again collection would be on the Friday before 5pm at New Bond Street.
Received email on the Thursday that the 2 lots would have to be collected from Guilford.!!
Contacted Bonhams again, totally unhelpful but was willing to get the 2 lots back to New Bond Street for £27.20 (this is even after Bonhams staff admitted their mistake by giving false information) by the Monday the day after my family member had left on the Sunday.

Emailed Ms Chabi Nouri via a Ms Sasha Thomas but neither bothered to respond.
May I suggest the new CEO Ms Chabi Nouri gets out of her office and works in every dept for 2/3 days a week to witness the total incompetence and extremely poor virtually non-existent customer service. She may then detect why so many of Bonhams appalling reviews (42%) are one star. Ms Nouri should seriously think about having her staff retrained regarding their attitude towards customers. The only staff member that had any professionalism was a lady called Amelia.
Typically, a company living off their cooperate name from when they were more efficient and customer friendly.
Never again.

I put a picture in their auction and was charged an additional £58 loss insurance. Why would a customer have to pay trusted auction house to not lose the picture. This is madness. Their response: "its in the small print clause 2.1...."

I asked for a shipping quote for a parcel send from USA to the Netherlands. Value of the item 3000 Euro/2600 GBP. Weight 60kg,Measurement 120cm x 85cm x30cm. Price for shipping: 6800 USD!!!!. I told them for that money i can fly business class to the USA,pick it up and take a taxi from the airport to my home. Of course i did not make a bid on the item.

cheryl Uggles the assistant “ head of Client Accounts at Bonhams “ has refused to listen to the issues . Not look at the terrible reviews on here over a long period - reaching 1.6 out of 5. From a so called high end brand .

Instead backs up the rude and incompetent staff / colleagues . Rather than dealing with facts . It is obvious these entitled individuals have no clue how to deal with customers . That’s why sales are falling off a cliff and selling vastly under any auction house . Think the investment firms need to look into how useless these staff are !

Very bad experience over the phone. Late fifties not something you expect. If first impressions count what chance hereonin.
Very poor customer service.

Appraisal person failed to connect for appraisal that I was told would occur where I am last month. Sent an apology after the fact with no serious explanation and advised of an October 2024 date that was to occur Oct 8 or 9th of which she said she would notify me me in advance. Not one word as of today October 7.
My advice would be to run in the opposite direction before vaguely considering doing business of any kind on any level with Bonhams. It appears the longer they exist the poorer their reputation.

Submitted an item on their web portal, no acknowledgement and never got a response. Contacted via mail and was passed to a lady Estelle, who dithered for weeks, then silence - once I told them politely service was poor, she said the item was not good enough for Bonhams - fine, but you could have said that 2 months ago !