Testimonials

We are pleased to publish just some of the letters sent to us over the years. This is just a small selection of the letters we receive.

Isn't it about time you used a company that will make you feel like writing a letter of praise - not the other sort of letter that you normally feel like writing

Mr. Keen (following the sale of his Jaguar XK150)
“This is just a quick note to congratulate you all at H&H on what I believe to be a superb sale. Excellent venue, good catalogue and from what I could see some very good results. Obviously I was pleased with the resulting sale of my XK150 (lot 48), despite my reservations about Mark's added saleroom notice, which I must admit did not seem to deter the bidders. I must also congratulate your cleaning/preparation team on making such a good job, not only on my car but all of the vehicles entered, especially having seen the state of which many of the vehicles arrived due to bad weather prior to the sale.”

Mr. Brown (following the sale of his Singer Nine)
“As you promised, I have received today the cheque for the sale of the above lot. I would like to offer my thanks for a very professional service from entering my car to the actual enjoyable sale day. I will have no hesitation in recommending your services or using you again as the need arises. Many thanks again.”

Mr. Sharrat (following the sale of his Austin 16/6)
“The above car was entered in the above Buxton Auction and was sold at £10,250. I would just like to complement your company on the professional way in which this auction etc was carried out. From when I entered the car in mid October and sent in my completed entry form and cheque, arriving at Buxton on the Monday prior to the sale, checking in at the door, going upstairs to give in the remainder of the vehicles documentation, coming back downstairs to find that George had already reversed the car into the saleroom. At that point I prepared to polish my car only to be told by a gentleman , Aye that's my job I will take over from now. I came to the auction on the Wednesday and was impressed by the professional set up of the auctioneer's rostrum with his assistants at his side, his witty remarks and the large screen behind giving the progress of the present auction. Oh yes the cheque DID arrive by first class post on the ninth day after the sale and yesterday I received notification from The D.V.L.A. thanking me for informing them that I am no longer the registered keeper of the car. In all a very professional job well done. You must all now take a bow.”

Mr. Shingler
“I thank you for your letter of 5 instant with enclosure, for which I am obliged and for which I have to say that I am delighted with the service you have offered and with the great assistance rendered to me by Bob Davies. When the situation arises I would be pleased to use your services again.”

Mr. Ratcliffe
“Many thanks for the cheque following successful sale of my 1927 Morris. The whole process from the initial visit to the fall of the hammer was a friendly but highly professional operation. I was particularly impressed with the organisation of the sale, the high class venue, and the number of buyers on the day. It is unlikely that I shall own another car which requires your excellent service, but should any of my friends or contacts have a car to sell I shall certainly point them in your direction! Many thanks.”

Mr. Jorgensen
“In spite of the fact that I was very disappointed that the car did not fetch its reserve price, I wish to thank you again for the splendid job you did. I could not have wished for a better exposure of the car both in the catalogue, the auction hall and by you during the sale. You can rest assured that should I have another car for auction one day it will certainly go through you. Thank you again. Kind regards”

Mr. Lawton
“Just browsing your web site for your latest sale price details here in Buxton, and thought I would just write in appreciation of the way you handle “the whole auction business”. I have attended a few of your auctions, and, although I have not bought a vehicle as yet, have found the whole experience to be thoroughly enjoyable and informative. The whole setup is so very professional without being "starchy". Your staff are extremely knowledgeable , hospitable and helpful. Being involved with show business myself, I realise how much hard work goes into creating a smooth running operation without it being obvious to the “punters. What I found especially helpful this year was that you allowed people to look around the outside vehicles after your official closing time. “We had friends who could not get over to Buxton before 7pm but were delighted to be able to see things after that time. This attitude will almost certainly “get you another enthusiastic customer. Your security man was quietly efficient, keeping a close eye on things without being at all intrusive. Long may you continue with such an excellent organisation.”

Mr. G. Toms (following the sale of his Riley Special)
“With an estimate of £8,000 to £10,000 we expected a lot of interest and some healthy bidding, but when the hammer finally went down at £19,500 we were as surprised and pleased as anyone including the vendor who sent us a short email to say 'Congratulations and Thanks very much' after he had received his cheque, which was sent out EIGHT working days after the sale.”

Mr. Ian Burton (following the sale of his Jaguar E-Type at our Stoneleigh auction).
“I write to thank you for your cheque which arrived yesterday for the sale of my 1970 Jaguar 'E' Type - 4.2 Series 2 Roadster. I was very pleased with the price that the car fetched - I nearly placed an advert in one of the club magazines, had I done so, I would not have asked the price that you obtained so would have been out of pocket. I have to say that I was very impressed with the efficiency and professionalism of your company, and would not hesitate to use your services again and will recommend to friends that they also choose your good selves.”

Mr. Robbie Walker (Rob Walker's son, following the sale of a Lotus 49B F1).
“This achieved a world record price of £375,000.“"Just to congratulate you on the magnificent result you achieved with the sale of the Lotus 49. When we first met you promised to put maximum effort behind it. You exceeded all my wildest expectations with the amount of coverage you either drummed up or paid for. Such was the extent of this that I very much doubt whether the "Big Three" would have attained your price. I must also thank you for involving me so much in the campaign and being so attentive when there were difficult decisions to be made. In short I think you have deservedly earned promotion to the premier division. If this reads rather like a reference, that is exactly what it is supposed to be. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to any future client and would be most happy to speak to them.”

Mr. K.G. Cheshire
“We have been numerous times, just for an enjoyable day out ,as we have always been interested in classic motor cars. This time, however, things took a different turn, when my Wife spotted a motor car she just had to have !  To my consternation, she registered, then tried to persuade me to bid. I thought I was safe by telling her that if she wanted the motor car, then she would have to bid. As the bidding started, I felt more and more secure, until she jumped up, just as the hammer was about to fall, when She was spotted by one of your eagle eyed Assistants." Going once, going twice. No ! We have a new bidder, a Lady, at £2300 I'm bid. And £2400 from the Gentleman on my left. And again On my right, £2500 from you Madam. All done at £2500 ?.............." I turned to my Wife and said "You've just bought a motor car, and we don't even know if it works !". “Well it did, and she drove it home, over the hills to Macclesfield to join her ever expanding little fleet. I am looking forward to the July Auction............there were quite a few there that I fancied, and now it's my turn.”

Mr. Allan MacDonald (In Classic Car Weekly)
“I hope you will allow an ordinary senior citizen who loves old motor cars and motor car auctions to tell of his experiences at H&H Classic Auctions in Buxton. This was my third trip from Inverness to Buxton and as always, a most enjoyable and worthwhile one. From Simon Hope the auctioneer down to 'Ginger' at the catalogue desk, everyone at H&H is helpful and hardworking. I hope to be back next year if I make it home to Scotland without incident. I am writing this en-route to Inverness with my new 1939 Rover 12!”

Mr. John McCartney
“Just a note to say how impressed I was by the February auction at Buxton when my Ferrari 400 was sold by your organisation. From the time when Mark Hamilton visited me to see the motor car, including reception on delivery of the motor car to Buxton and the consequent sale, everything was done in a very efficient and straightforward way - nothing overloaded and all promises fulfilled. I was very satisfied with the result and certainly would contact you again when I have a classic motor car to sell.”

Mr. Bob Ward (Following the sale of his 1924 Bentley 3 litre)
“Many thanks for all your help with the sale of my above motor car at your recent auction. Having never sold a motor car in auction before I had mixed feelings about selling my Bentley in this way. I must say from my first telephone call to you I was immediately put at ease. Mark's visit to my home to discuss the sale, talk about the motor car and take photographs was very much appreciated as it is good to make that personal contact. Your auction was a real experience for anyone buying or selling a vehicle and I was most impressed with the very professional organisation and the great skill Simon displays in achieving the best possible price for the owners of motor cars on sale. I would have no hesitation in selling another motor car with yourselves or recommending H&H to anyone selling a vintage/classic vehicle.”

Mrs. Doreen Reece
“Thank you for the two cheques, received as promised, in respect of the two Allards. I would like to say a big 'thank you' to you and all at H&H Classic Auctions for your help to me and Mike Knapman, a family friend, in disposing of the 'M' type tourer and the J2X. “I know Mr. Knapman agrees with what I am now going to say and that is should we be approached by anybody requiring assistance with disposing of their classic motor car by auction we will have no hesitation in recommending them to you. Again many thanks for your help.”

Mr. Peter Locklin
“Well done! What a magnificent result on my 1951 Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk2 coupe - over 50% higher than the reserve. Thank you for your good advice on the preparation and presentation of the motor car and its accessories and memorabilia. Your excellent marketing on the web-site added a great dimension to the successful sale. My only regret was that I was unable to attend the auction to see the action and feel the buzz and congratulations on a most professional and commendable operation. The cheque arrived promptly as promised.”

Mr. Robert Wilson (In the Aston Martin Owners Club Magazine)
“I recently had dealings with H&H Classic Auctions who I must commend for their professional and pleasant service. The outcome of the auction, although by no means straightforward, was most satisfactory which is due entirely to the advice and assistance I received from Simon Hope, the Managing Director - rarely have I come across a person of such openness, honesty and willingness to help. Mr. Hope's knowledge and experience of his chosen market, i.e. vintage, veteran, pre-war and classic motor cars and motorcycles, is evident from the manner and method in which he conducts his auctions and business affairs. I have no hesitation in recommending his company to any AMOC member who may be wanting to buy or sell vehicles of whatever type. The staff of H&H are courteous, willing and helpful which all adds up to a feeling of confidence and satisfaction. ”

Mr. Rob Minshull
“Having two motor cars in your November auction, I was concerned that because of the heavy snowfall on the previous weekend, that attendance could be adversely affected. I was delighted to find the Pavilion Gardens at Buxton packed when I arrived on the day of the auction with standing room only. I was also delighted when both motor cars sold and made what was expected and the service I received from H&H was faultless.”

Mr. Keith Eames
“Joyce and I would like to thank you very much for the way in which you handled the business of selling the Alta and obtaining a very satisfactory result. You more than kept your promises in the way in which you advertised the motor car and in dispatching the cheque with 8 days of the fall of the hammer - this being well within your claim of 8 days from receipt of payment for the motor car. We found it a pleasure to deal with you and much appreciate your many kindnesses. I have already written to friends with vintage motor car interests in the above vein and am hopeful that they will result in other motor car coming your way. Wishing you every success for the future.”

Mr. John Goodacre
“I would like to thank you for making my first experience of a vehicle auction a pleasant and enjoyable one. I say this not because you were instrumental in helping me part with my pride and joy but because from my side of the rostrum it was so smooth and effortless. From the start of the whole process you made me feel at ease with the new situation I was exploring, you were reassuring and from the narrative in the sale brochure you obviously took on board what I said and how I felt. Thank you for returning the photographs so quickly. I thought the sale venue was excellent......and I have to say that your colleagues acted very professionally and their friendliness and customer care shone through. Thank you again for your support. I look forward to the day when I can go to another of your auctions with a view towards being able to come away with a new acquisition.”

Mrs. Sheena White
“I was delighted with the sale of the Alvis on the 22nd July. The whole presentation was very professionally done, as my friend told me, and have to thank you for the way the whole operation was carried out. The prompt receipt of the cheque was much appreciated.”

Mr. K.C. Campbell
“I would like to say how pleased I was to receive my cheque, in respect of the sale of my Aston, which arrived exactly as promised yesterday morning and in so doing also to record my thanks for the way in which my rather late approach to you was handled. I thought that the flyer was superb. The reception, handling and presentation at Buxton was most impressive indeed and I wish you all the success in the future. How glad I am to have avoided all the trauma and nit-picking of a private sale.”

Mrs. Margaret Bell
“I wish to acknowledge the cheque from the sale of my Mercedes. Payment was very prompt. I'd like to express thanks from the bottom of my heart, you must be the most professional and efficient body of motor car sales people in the U.K. I was not an easy client, due to age and sentiment, and at all times I was treated with patience and courtesy. Thank you so much”

Capt. D.A. Barma
“I am the owner of Lot 4 that was in your auction on the 17th and obviously I am disappointed the motor car did not sell. The main purpose of this letter is to thank you for the professional and courteous way we were treated. The catalogue was excellent and the vehicles were extremely well presented with the venue adding significantly to the event. The auctioneer appeared to genuinely try and lift the bidding and developed a good relationship with his audience. Overall we were most impressed by your standard.”
(N.B. It is interesting to note that even when we didn't sell his vehicle he still felt the need to write to express his thanks.)