Stephan Welz & CO. Reviews | 3 TrustIndex | Hellopeter

Stephan Welz & CO. Reviews | 3 TrustIndex | Hellopeter

Review Distribution

1.6|16 Reviews

Oct '25 - Sep '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 3 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 16 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 86% of negative reviews, typically within 623 hours 35 min.

Recent reviews (16)

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Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.

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Popular mentions

friendly staff helpful service easy collections knowledgeable team delayed payment ignored queries incorrect commission breach contract

L

1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026

16 Sept 2026, 09:55

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 !!

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L

1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026

16 Sept 2026, 09:55

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 !!

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AS

1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026

8 Sept 2026, 17:01

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!!!

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AS

1 reviews | Active since Sept 2026

8 Sept 2026, 17:01

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!!!

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CC

1 reviews | Active since Jun 2023

7 Sept 2026, 15:42

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.

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CC

1 reviews | Active since Jun 2023

7 Sept 2026, 15:42

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.

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AB

1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026

27 Aug 2026, 11:20

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

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AB

1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026

27 Aug 2026, 11:20

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

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MS

1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026

15 Aug 2026, 14:04

Transparency of my valuables funds is silent

Ive submitted valuable items to Stephan Welz & Co 14 May 2026. Our initial contract and agreement starts and signed the 20 June 2026 for funds to reflect in my account. This is all part of the contract signed that indicates payment and the terms and conditions.. I have an email trail of all communications to Laurence and Leona asking for proper information regarding my values. I'm beyond frustrated with one line communications and the unprofessionalism. My next option is to involve lawyers which is no really the channel I want to go through but my frustration is beyond my control if I do not get proper indications and communication of when my funds will reflect in my account! Concerned M Simpson

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MS

1 reviews | Active since Aug 2026

15 Aug 2026, 14:04

Transparency of my valuables funds is silent

Ive submitted valuable items to Stephan Welz & Co 14 May 2026. Our initial contract and agreement starts and signed the 20 June 2026 for funds to reflect in my account. This is all part of the contract signed that indicates payment and the terms and conditions.. I have an email trail of all communications to Laurence and Leona asking for proper information regarding my values. I'm beyond frustrated with one line communications and the unprofessionalism. My next option is to involve lawyers which is no really the channel I want to go through but my frustration is beyond my control if I do not get proper indications and communication of when my funds will reflect in my account! Concerned M Simpson

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SR

1 reviews | Active since Oct 2020

4 Aug 2026, 14:12

Dishonest & empty promises

Beware! Stephen Welz & Co will sell your goods on auction, but will fail to pay the proceeds over to you. Payment is 4 months overdue despite assurances of payment from Laurence Friedman that the payment is “loaded”. This business can NOT be trusted.

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SR

1 reviews | Active since Oct 2020

4 Aug 2026, 14:12

Dishonest & empty promises

Beware! Stephen Welz & Co will sell your goods on auction, but will fail to pay the proceeds over to you. Payment is 4 months overdue despite assurances of payment from Laurence Friedman that the payment is “loaded”. This business can NOT be trusted.

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JK

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2026

20 Jul 2026, 13:53

Empty promises regarding payment.

To whom it may concern. 20th July 2026 This review documents the unacceptable performance of Stephan Welz & Co following their auctioning of my goods on 16th February 2026. According to their own published terms and conditions of sale, they undertake to pay the full amount of any sale within 45 days of that particular auction. It is now over 5 months since the auction and I have yet to receive the final balance paymen due to me, in excess of R 200 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Rand). This is despite numerous emails, whatsapp messages and phone calls to Laurence Friedman and other members of the staff, including Anton Welz. Laurence Friedman has made several promises of payment which are never upheld. Statements by Laurence Friedman such as “You are first in the queue”, “I will pay you on Frday”, “You are due for payment at the end of the week” are never honoured and my calls are generally ignored. In terms of the conditions of the Consumer Protection Act pertaining to auction houses they are obliged to maintain a trust account to hold the proceeds of sales and ensure the timeous payment of funds to the seller. It appears that this isn not the case. Further to the non payment there is a failure to provide adequate documentation, under valueing of goods and loss of vsluable items. The business practices of this organisation trading under the name of Stephan Welz, besmirches the reputation of a gentleman that was held in high esteem in the South African art, antique scene. Because of his false assurances and empty promise, Laurence Friedman proves himself to be a mendacious individual. From Joy Knight

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JK

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2026

20 Jul 2026, 13:53

Empty promises regarding payment.

To whom it may concern. 20th July 2026 This review documents the unacceptable performance of Stephan Welz & Co following their auctioning of my goods on 16th February 2026. According to their own published terms and conditions of sale, they undertake to pay the full amount of any sale within 45 days of that particular auction. It is now over 5 months since the auction and I have yet to receive the final balance paymen due to me, in excess of R 200 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Rand). This is despite numerous emails, whatsapp messages and phone calls to Laurence Friedman and other members of the staff, including Anton Welz. Laurence Friedman has made several promises of payment which are never upheld. Statements by Laurence Friedman such as “You are first in the queue”, “I will pay you on Frday”, “You are due for payment at the end of the week” are never honoured and my calls are generally ignored. In terms of the conditions of the Consumer Protection Act pertaining to auction houses they are obliged to maintain a trust account to hold the proceeds of sales and ensure the timeous payment of funds to the seller. It appears that this isn not the case. Further to the non payment there is a failure to provide adequate documentation, under valueing of goods and loss of vsluable items. The business practices of this organisation trading under the name of Stephan Welz, besmirches the reputation of a gentleman that was held in high esteem in the South African art, antique scene. Because of his false assurances and empty promise, Laurence Friedman proves himself to be a mendacious individual. From Joy Knight

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HS

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2026

20 Jul 2026, 11:53

Reputations are built on trust, trust depends on honouring commitments

This review has not been posted lightly. Following months of unsuccessful attempts to secure payment through normal channels, legal intervention failed to achieve the outcome that should have occurred in accordance with their 45 day payment agreement. Prospective consignors should make an INFORMED decision before entrusting valuable assets to Stephan Welz & Co. Based on our experience, sellers should carefully consider the practical realities of the company's payment process as it DOES NOT align with the contractual commitments made to consignors. As of the date of this review, Stephan Welz & Co. remains in breach of its contractual payment obligation (May26), with R91,880 still outstanding and unpaid. Having made every effort to resolve this matter directly and professionally. Consistently contacting both the accounts department (Lena) and management (Laurence and Anton), being provided with numerous FALSE assurances and that we would be paid by specific dates. Those commitments have REPEATEDLY not been honoured. As long-standing clients, we are disappointed to see an increasing number of publicly available reviews raising concerns similar to our own experience. We would have greatly preferred to resolve this matter privately.

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HS

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2026

20 Jul 2026, 11:53

Reputations are built on trust, trust depends on honouring commitments

This review has not been posted lightly. Following months of unsuccessful attempts to secure payment through normal channels, legal intervention failed to achieve the outcome that should have occurred in accordance with their 45 day payment agreement. Prospective consignors should make an INFORMED decision before entrusting valuable assets to Stephan Welz & Co. Based on our experience, sellers should carefully consider the practical realities of the company's payment process as it DOES NOT align with the contractual commitments made to consignors. As of the date of this review, Stephan Welz & Co. remains in breach of its contractual payment obligation (May26), with R91,880 still outstanding and unpaid. Having made every effort to resolve this matter directly and professionally. Consistently contacting both the accounts department (Lena) and management (Laurence and Anton), being provided with numerous FALSE assurances and that we would be paid by specific dates. Those commitments have REPEATEDLY not been honoured. As long-standing clients, we are disappointed to see an increasing number of publicly available reviews raising concerns similar to our own experience. We would have greatly preferred to resolve this matter privately.

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