Operation Sparkle

On 1/20/19, I consigned a valuable antique large table with 2 extended leaves at the True Treasures loc in NPB FL. I have consigned clothing, jewelry, furniture, handbags in the past at other retailers but never at True Treasures. The table was a Teak Danish table was stamped, valued on line for $2500-$3000, and I have photos of the table. Due to not having time to find an antique retailer, as I am a caretaker for my mother and needing the space.... I left it with TT. The consigned price tag TT placed on the table was $599.00. I disagreed with that and voiced my opinion, but the woman who priced said it was the highest they would go, frustrated, I left it there. I had to get help and a truck to get it there to begin with, at this point, it was easier for me to leave it there. I placed several telephone calls over several months to check on my table, it wasn't selling. In mid-April, I placed a call to find out the final drop date for pick up, if the table did not sell. I was told May 20, 2019. The signed contract stated this as well as the final pick up date. I told the male employee who answered and had the conversation with me, to be sure, NOT to donate the table, and that I would definitely be back to pick it up on May 20th.

I had to make arrangements for pick up and on May 20th, I called to let them know I would be by to pick up the table. After placing my call on hold for a several minutes an employee came back to the phone to say my table, had been donated, several weeks earlier, I went back and forth with the employee on the telephone, as I was in disbelief. My husband and I drove over to the store, as I was very upset to meet with the new owner of True Treasures, *** who bought the business from *** in 2014. Mrs. was a client of mine when I sold Radio/TV advertising, we had a wonderful relationship, I purchased many items from her store over the years. *** had a flippant, standoffish, attitude when my husband and I met with him, on May 20th, 2019. Mr. told us he could not explain what happened, as the table was still under contract and should not have been donated. Then, he told us the table was damaged at this store, and they just donated it. He offered to pay us half of what they had priced it for, which was $599.00, then he said I will pay you $250.00. I was upset, disappointed and very confused as to how this could have happened, and why I wasn't notified that the table had been damaged in order that I could have had the opportunity to pick it up at that time. I do not know, if the table was actually donated, or if TT realized the value and sold it, or consigned it somewhere else. What I do know is, we had a contract, they did NOT honor it to the end of the date of the signed contract. True Treasures damaged the table, donated it (so they say), and did not notify the consigner/me.

I was not given the opportunity to pick up table, repair it and possibly sell it myself or at a reliable antique dealer. I spoke several days later, as Mr., told us I had to call back several days later and speak with his accountant, Dave. Dave was very rude on the telephone and told me he would send a check for $250.00 and was very evasive over the telephone. On Saturday, June 1st 2019, a check was sent to me for $250.00 which I have not cashed.

Today, June 3rd, I called again and spoke to *** I asked when the table was donated, he told me it was taken out of their system on May 9th, 2019 and most likely donated a week later to Faith Farm. I asked him again, why I wasn't contacted when the table was donated, and he replied..."Ms., we have had this conversation before"...he refused to answer me and was very rude. I did inform him today, that I was taking this further, not cashing the check and that I was still very disturbed by the unethical actions of True Treasures.

In summary, as a consumer and a consigner of True Treasures, I very defrauded, duped and cheated. Why would True Treasures donate my valuable table, while still under a signed contract? If they damaged the table, why would not contact me properly? This practice is unheard of, unethical, unprofessional and inappropriate.

I feel they should have offered me at the very least, the on line value of the table, or the entire $599.00 in which they had the table priced at. They damaged the table, and they donated it (so they say) in error and the response to me was, we will pay you $250.00.

I would appreciate any help that you may be able to offer from your office.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I feel innocent consumers should be aware of consigning at True Treasures.