It is unlawful for any auctioneer, when selling or offering for sale at public auction any goods, wares or merchandise under the provisions of this chapter, while describing such goods, wares or merchandise with respect to character, quality, kind or value or otherwise, to make any fraudulent, misleading, untruthful or unwarranted statements tending in any way to mislead bidders, or to substitute an article sold for another. (Prior code § 20-5-21)