Akiba Antiques — Attraction in Dania Beach

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE!!!! If you're thinking about trusting this company with your belongings, DON'T DO IT!!!!! They sold an a dozen of my lithographs from the late 1700 for $50! The inventory list, created by the company owner, was clearly documented as "RESEARCH" to assess the value of the artwork. After the auction was completed, we went to the antique auction house to pick up what did not sell. Thankfully, we brought our copy of the inventory list because they had no idea what items were to be returned to us. The employees were going back & forth searching for different pieces & bringing out 1 by 1. Not wrapped or protected...just loose items. When the owner brought out the portfolio that the sketches were contained in, it was empty. All the lithographs were gone. When I asked where they were, he had no idea. Said he need time to investigate. When he final figured that he sold them by "mistake" he sent me a text message saying he was sorry. He blamed it on one of his workers. That's it! Well, I wanted my artwork back & I NEVER gave him permission to sell it. After weeks of back & forth with him stating the buyer wouldn't respond to his attempts to contact him, I contacted the Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation. This is the entity that regulates auction houses. I sent in pictures of all the pieces he "sold" along with the inventory list showing they were to be RESEARCHED. Their return response was that this was a civil matter & I need to address the issue privately. I contacted an art appraiser. They charge $500 an hour. Evaluating 12 pieces from pictures I took would be extremely costly. I also contacted an art attorney (yes, they exist). They wanted a $6,000 retainer. So, if you've read this far, take pictures of everything you hand over to this company, keep your inventory list & bring it with you to pick-up was doesn't sell, be prepared to wait & be prepared for them to have your belongings everywhere in the disorganized auction house and be prepared for the owner to take ZERO accountability if he "accidentally" sells your research items or other. If anyone knows an attorney that would be willing to help me, I'd really really...

Best Auction House in South Florida. I had been searching for a unique Japanese piece for awhile as my wife collects them. Luckily, I came across one from the meiji period that was perfect for our collection. Prior to bidding, my wife and I were greeted with open arms by a young man named Marco I believe. I could tell he was passionate about the piece as he was excited to show us how great condition it was in. Also by luck, one of the owners (Alex) happened to be around and was helpful enough to sign me up as a telephone bidder to make sure I had the best chance of obtaining our one of a kind item. I have been to many Auction houses and can say their service sets them a part from the rest. Thank you for taking the time to appreciate us. You have gain a...

Like so many auction houses in South Florida, they have, at times, resorted to selling fake Russian antiques. I bought Russian lacquered boxes from them at a hefty price and the boxes turned out to be cheap prints pasted onto boxes which I think are not even lacquered, but some cheap imitation. Just be warned when you see Russian stuff that it could be fake and almost worthless. I have my suspicions about other items that keep appearing at Akiba, but without proof I will not say more. Be very, very careful with this auction gallery as they will NOT disclose that certain made-to-look-old objects are...