GeorgeH

I don't know if this helps or not, but the surface is very rough, which I have tried to show in these pictures. I believe the cross lines are in the wood, but it is hard for me to tell for certain. The varnish on the top and back does not have those lines.

I did not mean to imply it was an illusion, just that it looked like one. It reminded me of the trick where a magician pulls out yards of colored handkerchiefs from their closed fists.

No. This is why front row seats are more expensive than back row seats.

No logic, pure conjecture because it does not appear (to me) that the maker of this violin sought out attractive tone woods for either the top or back plates, i.e. the top has a wide grain and the back is mostly plain. As far as the ribs go, maybe he was simply looking for something easier to cut and bend than maple. I have no clue as to how to identify where the wood actually came from. @violinsRus That video looks like a magic trick!

"Free" is the most powerful word in marketing.

If the situation were reversed - the Auction House sold a Strad cheaply because they and the seller thought was a Roth, do you think the buyer would or should give it back? Do you think the seller of @keyboardclass's violin should give him his money back? Would you? Auctions are risky business.

And your own eyes, which apparently agreed with their guidance. We all get buyer's remorse from time-to-time. I bought a lovely violin at an auction once that had a crack in the back near the soundpost that was so well repaired as to be virtually invisible. Still have it, and I still play it. But I think I paid too much for it. It happens. Buying violins at auctions is always a gamble. Like @Three13 said, think of it as tuition, and just look a lot closer next time.

No, it wasn't. Read their Terms and Conditions. It is absolutely clear:

In that case, I think it has more to do with how close in proximity the listener is to the player.

It depends on your definitions of "cheap," "well-made," and "loud."

Bromptons has been around a long time. I suspect that they know the law quite well and are in compliance with it. You have no legal case. You even inspected the violin in-person before you bid on it. What you have is an unpleasant case of buyer's remorse.

Maybe @jacobsaunders will send you one from his iconic dustbin.

Some auction houses specifically state that they do not report open seams in their condition reports. Here is an excerpt from Bromptons Terms and Conditions. It seems pretty clear that it was neither negligence nor fraud on their part.

In some states (such as New York) it is illegal for auctioneers to set a reserve price higher than the lower estimate. So if a seller insists on a high reserve, it can skew the estimate.

I am pretty sure the whole body is made with local wood, except the neck/scroll looks imported pre-cut. Given the autodidactic presentation of this violin, I suspect the maker was not using any exotic woods.