Based on recent customer reviews, Stephan Welz & Co. receives strong praise for its auction experience, with customers consistently mentioning friendly and knowledgeable staff, easy-to-use auction software, clear lot photography, and welcoming warehouse collections. Buyers highlight efficient refunds and helpful reception teams. However, a recurring and serious theme among sellers concerns delayed payments well beyond the contracted 45 day period, ignored follow-up queries, and disputes over incorrect commission calculations. While the buyer-facing service appears polished, seller payment reliability emerges as a significant reputational concern.
Replied to 67% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 623h 35m
TrustIndex
2.5
Ranking
#14
in Consumer Goods
Reply Time
623h 35m
NPS Score
-84
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 67% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 623h 35m
Dec '25 - Nov '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Stephan Welz & CO.
What do customers say about Stephan Welz & CO.?
Based on recent customer reviews, Stephan Welz & Co. receives strong praise for its auction experience, with customers consistently mentioning friendly and knowledgeable staff, easy-to-use auction software, clear lot photography, and welcoming warehouse collections. Buyers highlight efficient refunds and helpful reception teams. However, a recurring and serious theme among sellers concerns delayed payments well beyond the contracted 45 day period, ignored follow-up queries, and disputes over incorrect commission calculations. While the buyer-facing service appears polished, seller payment reliability emerges as a significant reputational concern.
Is Stephan Welz & CO. trustworthy?
Stephan Welz & CO. has a TrustIndex of 2.5 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 19 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 67% of negative reviews, typically within 623 hours 35 min. Hellopeter has tracked Stephan Welz & CO. across 77 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (19)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Apr 2020
Stephen Welz & Co have failed to return all our jewellery and have not paid us the full amount owed,
Despite a formal letter from our advocate and a clear agreement, you have failed to return all outstanding jewellery and unsold items, failed to make the agreed payment by the stipulated date, and failed to respond to repeated attempts to resolve this matter. Laurence has also failed to respond to our messages. These ongoing failures to honour your commitments are unacceptable. We formally demand the immediate return of all outstanding items and settlement of the amount due. We expect urgent action, not further silence or delays.
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2020
Stephen Welz & Co have failed to return all our jewellery and have not paid us the full amount owed,
Despite a formal letter from our advocate and a clear agreement, you have failed to return all outstanding jewellery and unsold items, failed to make the agreed payment by the stipulated date, and failed to respond to repeated attempts to resolve this matter. Laurence has also failed to respond to our messages. These ongoing failures to honour your commitments are unacceptable. We formally demand the immediate return of all outstanding items and settlement of the amount due. We expect urgent action, not further silence or delays.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2013
Very poor communication and service
We consigned jewellery and luxury brand clothing to Stephan Welz and Co. in Cape Town in March this year (2026). We have to date received no payment, with R128 506.40 being due to us according to their own statements. I have enquired multiple times and either *** are ignored, or promises are made to check records, and nothing happens. My most recent enquiry was almost 5 weeks ago, and Laurence has still not come back to me. Very poor service, and will never use Stephan Welz and Co. again.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2013
Very poor communication and service
We consigned jewellery and luxury brand clothing to Stephan Welz and Co. in Cape Town in March this year (2026). We have to date received no payment, with R128 506.40 being due to us according to their own statements. I have enquired multiple times and either *** are ignored, or promises are made to check records, and nothing happens. My most recent enquiry was almost 5 weeks ago, and Laurence has still not come back to me. Very poor service, and will never use Stephan Welz and Co. again.
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2026
Non payment yet again
I am also one of those that wait and wait for payment due to me, for explanations and communication. A payment of 127.820,00 is due to me from the June auction has not been paid as yet, which is a breach of contract, clause 10.1.1 3 items on that auction have been sold for less than the reserve, which amounts to a loss for me of R 17.000 , breach of contract clause 7. Laurence Friedman has actually answered my email regarding this, promising to "look into this "on the 8th of August. Further emails sent to him have been ignored. It is very frustrating having to deal with a company that cannot be trusted !!!
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2026
Non payment yet again
I am also one of those that wait and wait for payment due to me, for explanations and communication. A payment of 127.820,00 is due to me from the June auction has not been paid as yet, which is a breach of contract, clause 10.1.1 3 items on that auction have been sold for less than the reserve, which amounts to a loss for me of R 17.000 , breach of contract clause 7. Laurence Friedman has actually answered my email regarding this, promising to "look into this "on the 8th of August. Further emails sent to him have been ignored. It is very frustrating having to deal with a company that cannot be trusted !!!
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
Non-payment by Stephan Welz... again.
Seems like Weltz and Co make a habit of holding onto money owed to clients. I've seen the other posts and read the articles in the media. Very poor behaviour. A legal letter of demand was sent by lawyers for my mother, for the proceeds of auctions in February and March for over R325 000 which Welz has still not paid over, notwithstanding all sorts of promises. The 3-week deadline after the demand for payment has passed and my mother's lawyers have now issued an application for liquidation. Welz & Co wrongfully holding on to the proceeds of the auction after more than 6 months. We'll see them in court.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
Non-payment by Stephan Welz... again.
Seems like Weltz and Co make a habit of holding onto money owed to clients. I've seen the other posts and read the articles in the media. Very poor behaviour. A legal letter of demand was sent by lawyers for my mother, for the proceeds of auctions in February and March for over R325 000 which Welz has still not paid over, notwithstanding all sorts of promises. The 3-week deadline after the demand for payment has passed and my mother's lawyers have now issued an application for liquidation. Welz & Co wrongfully holding on to the proceeds of the auction after more than 6 months. We'll see them in court.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
Auction of Antiques
Auction of Antiques. 2 July with reserves on 2 items out of 16 sent. Sold item for R10,000.00 below reserve. No communication at all!!! Payment still not done . Contract says 45 days , we are at 55 days !!
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
Auction of Antiques
Auction of Antiques. 2 July with reserves on 2 items out of 16 sent. Sold item for R10,000.00 below reserve. No communication at all!!! Payment still not done . Contract says 45 days , we are at 55 days !!
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
Non-payment of Items Auctioned
I am writing this complaint out of utter frustration. We have been waiting for our payment for items sold through Stephan Welz & Co since April this year. We were sent a final account (20 April 2026) of items sold and paid for by the purchaser. We worked through the Cape Town office and were dealing with Tegan Welz who was very helpful to start with. A substantial amount of money is owed and after many attempts to contact the group manager, Laurence Friedman we have had absolutely zero feedback. Even our calls and promises of return calls have fallen on deaf ears. We have asked attorneys to send a letter of demand, and this too is being ignored. We are desperate!!!
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026
Non-payment of Items Auctioned
I am writing this complaint out of utter frustration. We have been waiting for our payment for items sold through Stephan Welz & Co since April this year. We were sent a final account (20 April 2026) of items sold and paid for by the purchaser. We worked through the Cape Town office and were dealing with Tegan Welz who was very helpful to start with. A substantial amount of money is owed and after many attempts to contact the group manager, Laurence Friedman we have had absolutely zero feedback. Even our calls and promises of return calls have fallen on deaf ears. We have asked attorneys to send a letter of demand, and this too is being ignored. We are desperate!!!
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2023
I found Laurence Friedman most personable and extremely helpful
I found Laurence Friedman most personable and extremely helpful. The same goes for the staff. The negotiations were seamless and pleasantly relaxed. Payment happened as promised and I could not have wished for a better experience.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2023
I found Laurence Friedman most personable and extremely helpful
I found Laurence Friedman most personable and extremely helpful. The same goes for the staff. The negotiations were seamless and pleasantly relaxed. Payment happened as promised and I could not have wished for a better experience.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
Non-payment of items sold by Stephan Welz & Co on 16 February 2026 Auction
We sold three paintings on the Premium February Live Auction and received an invoice dated 16 February 2026. The total amount of the invoice is R25 410. The contact person that I worked with is Leila Diesel. On the 5th of May 2026 I sent her an email asking when we can expect payment, to which she has not rep**** to this day. I then contacted Laurence Friedmann on the 10th of July 2026 and he rep**** that he would look into it. I then contacted him three more times and he responded on the 28th of July 2026. I have contacted him another three times and have received no acknowledgement or answer to explain the delay in our payment. This is the second time that this has happened. The contract clearly states that payment has to be made within 45 days and it is now more than 180 days since the date of the invoice. This is completely unacceptable as it is breach of contract and I am not going to use the company again in the future. Sincerely Annatjie Buys
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026
Non-payment of items sold by Stephan Welz & Co on 16 February 2026 Auction
We sold three paintings on the Premium February Live Auction and received an invoice dated 16 February 2026. The total amount of the invoice is R25 410. The contact person that I worked with is Leila Diesel. On the 5th of May 2026 I sent her an email asking when we can expect payment, to which she has not rep**** to this day. I then contacted Laurence Friedmann on the 10th of July 2026 and he rep**** that he would look into it. I then contacted him three more times and he responded on the 28th of July 2026. I have contacted him another three times and have received no acknowledgement or answer to explain the delay in our payment. This is the second time that this has happened. The contract clearly states that payment has to be made within 45 days and it is now more than 180 days since the date of the invoice. This is completely unacceptable as it is breach of contract and I am not going to use the company again in the future. Sincerely Annatjie Buys