CAB kept $199 Snapper photoshoot fee when shoot cancelled with Snapper's terms because they would not allow me to change the auction type discussed 6 months prior.
First discussed my car for auction in October and at the time I was thinking a no reserve. As I continued to work on the car details to ensure the new owner would have a vehicle as thoroughly inspected as possible, I got caught by the winter and unable to complete some projects. As the spring thaw came I began to engage in my projects like replacing thr headlight lenses, new wheels, tires, complete detail etc. As it became closer to completion I re-engaged with my account manager, eventually was ready to move ahead and scheduled my photoshoot with Snapper through CAB. I paid the $199 for my photoshoot through the link with CAB. Snapper contacted me directly, was provided a local photographer and scheduled a date for photos. As I was working on the marketing write-up of all the details of my specialty car, I was also providing details to my account manager. After an analysis of regular auctions and "no reserve" auction I discovered that the numbers proved "no reserve" auctions produced lower final bid results. I informed my CAB account manager that I decided on a reserve auction of $25,000 and was told I could not establish a reserve as they accepted my car with a "no reserve" auction. I told him that if that is the case I was withdrawing my car from CAB and was cancelling my photoshoot with Snapper. I contacted the photographer and cancelled the shoot with him and also through Snapper. Snapper contacted me to verify the cancellation. When I inquired about my $199 refund for the photoshoot my account manager said there was no refund for photoshoot. CAB's photoshoot process is a complete scam and you are better off getting your own photoshoot done. Even though YOU are the client, paying for the photoshoot and CAB is not involved, YOU don't receive the phtotos and DO NOT HAVE CONTROL over which photos you prefer. The photos are sent directly to CAB by the photographer and not to you, the actual client of Snapper. CAB made sure the photoshoot was cancelled with Snapper as their corporate office contacted me immediately to verify CAB's cancellation request. Even though the photoshoot was cancelled at least 3 days before the shoot, CAB kept the $199 for absolutely nothing they provided. If anything you would think Snapper would keep but the shoot was cancelled well within their required time. CAB actually takes control of EVERYTHING WITHOUT you having the ability to make or change decision on the type of auction, they "own" the photos from the photoshoot and you don't get any ability to consult on how your car is presented and auctioned. Keeping the $199 for a photoshoot they had nothing to do with except taking the money and you deal directly with Snapper is a typical move you would see by a sleazy used car salesman. Make sure you are thorough about what you want, expectations and your ability to make changes as you go along before your final listing. I was held to a choice of a "no reserve" auction when we discussed 6 months before I was finally ready to list with CAB and was not allowed to change my mind. They are NOT Sotheby's and BAT (bringatrailer.com) has a much larger base and success.