Morton Auctioneers & Appraisers

I am a retired university professor and art collector who promptly pays all his bills, including auction invoices, and who never carries balance on his credit card. I repeatedly asked Morton to approve me as a bidder on Live Auctioneers, as any other firms routinely do. Morton, however, insisted on my disclosing credit-​card information, name, address, and other private information as a PRECONDITION for allowing me to bid. I understand that some winning bidders fail to pay, but I am not such, and I assured Morton of my credentials and good intentions intentions. I warned that I would publicize the firm’s violation of privacy. They ignored my polite messages, and simply rejected me. I called by phone, but no one answered.
Auctioneer has a right to credit-​card information from people who are paying, not from those who merely bid. Most bidders lose in auctions, and do not have to pay. By analogy, shopkeeper must not look into people’s pockets and collect personal information from people looking into shop window and browsing inside the shop. Indeed, Live Auctioneers warns users not to disclose private information; this policy statement is included in my messages to Morton. Morton is treating me, and apparently everyone else, as a potential fraudster. Morton insists on violating people’s privacy.