I could be convinced that this tree is indeed alive if I saw others from this area with Junipers looking similar and hearing testimony that this is normal for the region. I live in coastal CA so my situation is obviously very different from the Great Lakes region.
That being said, if indeed this tree is just displaying "winter color", I still think it was very poor judgement to put it up for auction at this time. You gotta read the room. Even if this is completely normal for Junipers to look like grim death during this part of the year in Michigan, you gotta realize that most people are going to think that you just posted a dead tree for sale. Where's the fire? Wait until spring when it looks better.
climate/location is a weird thing. My landscape is behind blooming, being in a microclimate than in town 7 miles from my home. Zone map has us in the same zone. My plants are always behind that in town. Even my ginkgo is off schedule from the ones that line the streets in town for fall colors.
I know a few who like this nursery. Had quite healthy trees come from there. I've only heard positive feedback from ones happy with this seller...this one is used to his winter colors. So it honestly wouldn't make one pause. If it's common nature. The purple hints of color...no matter what shade my conifer in the landscape show come winter...most all have that purple tint hints...other than the hemlock.
One juniper tends to get so purple it looks black...which is super cool. Unless one lives in the same microclimate. Their colors will vary. Even in my own landscape ... winter colors are never the exact same.
I do get ones...not grasping winter colors if they live in milder climates. So...a nursery who winter is a good time to sell their dormant trees and ship easily...should...hold off on trees with winter colors? That's what you are saying?