Council chief backs watchdogs over Cameo auctioneers

Portfolio holder Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) said the council’s trading standards department was “highly rated nationally” and added: “I have every confidence in them.”
Last week, some furious customers of the Midgham-based auctioneers demanded to know why the firm was allowed to proceed with two auctions just days before “suspending” trading.
Angry clients who said they had placed goods, together worth tens of thousands of pounds, into the latest sales, and feared they will never be paid, criticised what they perceived as a slow response from trading standards chiefs.
After our sister publication the Newbury Weekly News first published, on March 29, the grave concerns of some clients over the company’s business practises, the alert went global and the floodgates opened.
Complaints poured in from across the globe alleging non-payment, bounced cheques or lost items. In addition there were dozens of claims that Cameo apparently took money from the bank accounts of dozens of people who merely registered but had never taken part in an auction.
Mrs Cole said on Wednesday: “There have been a large number of complaints resulting from the NWN coverage - around 300, I believe. I totally understand people’s frustration - I would feel the same way.
“However, knowing our trading standards department as I do, I have every confidence in them. They are being very thorough, following due process and these things do take time.”
Referring to a trading standards operation, supported by Thames Valley Police, on Friday, April 27, she said: “A warrant was executed at the premises and a quantity of material was seized. This is now being assessed and we will be in contact with everyone who has contacted us once the forms are processed.
On the day of the raid a notice appeared on the door at Cameo’s offices, which read: “Due to the adverse publicity and a police investigation into a former member of staff Cameo has suspended business until the end of May.”
Cameo is subject to 18 outstanding county court judgements involving sums totalling almost £20,000.
Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Lucy Billen said: “Trading standards are carrying out an ongoing investigation with which we’re assisting.”
Spokeswoman for West Berkshire Council, Peta Stoddart-Crompton, said last week: “Anyone who has submitted goods to, or purchased goods from, the auction should contact them via the following email address: camauctions@gmail.com
This week several clients said they had failed to get a response after doing so.
Meanwhile anyone wishing to contact trading standards about Cameo Auctions should phone (01635) 519930 or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk