Estate Liquidation Services

Review: I am providing the information below in an effort to do whatever I can to help protect othersfrom becoming victims of Estate Liquidation Services; The paragraphs offering details of mycircumstances are intended to help explain the context ofthe events (and to underscore thegravity ofthe circumstances).My sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer in February of 2014. At the same time, I wasrecovering from chemotherapy and had just learned that 1 would need to undergo open heartsurgery. It was a devastating time for our family.My sister died on August 13, 2014. Our parents had pre-deceased my sister and I was her onlysibling. In accordance with her will, I assumed the role of Executor. I live in California. Shelived in what was our family home at 617 Highland Avenue in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Thehome was nicely furnished and packed ffill with family heirlooms as well as collectibles. Thereare several storage closets in the home and all were packed with antiques, records, magazines,Noritake (2 sets of china), Singer Sewing Machine, among many other heritage items. Sincemoving to California twenty years ago, I had traveled to the family home for 8-10 day visitswith my sister every eight weeks. So, I had an on-going presence and intimate knowledge aboutthe home and its contents.Following my recovery from open heart surgery two months after my sister’s death, I was readyto move forward with my role as Executrix of the estate. I had already hired Probate Attorney[redacted] to handle Probate Issues. He recommended that I secure the services of Realtor,[redacted]. On October the 24th of 2014, I secured the services of Estate LiquidationServices, the company recommended to me by Ms. [redacted],[redacted], owner of Estate Liquidation Services and I met on the 24th of October and Isigned a simple contract (attached). According to the contract, Ms. [redacted] was to provide aninventory of household goods as well as a detailed accounting of all sales. After signing thecontract, and in a matter of fact way, Ms. [redacted] asked ifwould be okay to donate unsalableitems after the sale to charity. I agreed. Ms. [redacted]’s demeanor led me to trust her. She waspersonable, kind, and compassionate, and was a hard worker.A few days later she returned to the home with someone named [redacted], who she introduced as herassociate.The liquidation sale was held, as planned on Saturday, December 13, 2014. On December 16thMs. [redacted] stated in a very brief email that “Nothing big sold.” Given the quality ofthefurniture, and the fact that Ms. [redacted] had indicated earlier than she anticipated a successfulsale, I found it odd that “nothing big sold” and assumed the furniture was still in the house.People from the neighborhood familiar with my family began corresponding with me at the sametime. They informed me that when they sought to negotiate prices on the furniture and otherhigh-ticket items, Ms. [redacted] was unwilling to negotiate. My cousin informed me further thatshe had sought to purchase a sofa and a bedroom suite, indicating that she was prepared topurchase the items that day (via credit card) at the asking price, and would pick up the items thenext morning. Ms. [redacted] refused the sale, indicating that the Estate Sale would be over at 3:00that day. I was later informed by neighbors that at precisely 3:00 that day, a moving truck cameto pick up furniture and returned to get the remaining household goods the following morning.Clearly, this turn of events fell far short ofthe reasonable expectations I had when securing theservices of Estate Liquidation Services. Not only was I not given a detailed inventory of sales forthe countless collectables and other heirloom items that disappeared that day, but all of myfamily’s furniture was hauled away the afternoon ofthe sale.Immediately following the holidays, I confronted Ms. [redacted] with my concerns. I observed, forexample, that no reasonable person would feel entitled to take the entire contents of a homecontaining the effects of 50 years of family living without consulting first with the estateExecutrix. Nor did the term “unsalable” apply to what she and her colleagues had taken.I asked where the furniture was and she said it was still probably in the warehouse as no oneshops for used goods over the holidays. I reiterated that I wanted the furniture returned. Sheindicated that this might prove difficult. The conversation ended with me saying that I wouldgive her two days to find the fbrniture and get it ready to be picked up or I would be consultingauthorities including the Attorney General of Pennsylvania.The next day, [redacted] called. He said that he was with [redacted] and that he had noidea where the furniture was since he had a five-story warehouse and it would be impossible tofmd. He said he had five large trucks running around the Pittsburgh area picking up furnitureand was very busy. He continued to patronize me calling me “Honey” and “Sweetheart” andsuggested that he couldn’t possibly help. The call ended with me reiterating once again that ifthe furniture was not returned, I would make authorities aware ofwhat he and Ms. [redacted] haddone.Two days passed and I called Ms. [redacted] once again. I got her answering machine on which Istated it had been two days and I hadn’t heard from her so I would be pursuing other avenues fordealing with the situation.Soon after the call I got a text telling me she had found the furniture and it was in a place called[redacted] in Bridgeville. They were closing that store and I needed to get the furniture out ofthere. She sent a list of the furniture that was there. I said there were many things missing and Ihad photos of everything if she needed to be reminded of what was in the house.After many hassles with would-be movers I secured a bona fide mover to pick up thefurnishings. A neighbor assisting with the situation informed me that most ofthe furniture wasdamaged. I have not spoken further with Ms. [redacted] or [redacted].I am attaching photos and other documents relevant to this matter. I am hopeful that thisinformation will enable you to protect others from becoming victims of these people, especiallyin theft time of mourning or other vulnerable moments in life.Hoping for justice,Desired Settlement: see Attached document