I've been dealing with this consignment store in San Antonio since the late 1980s. They've been in business for 25 years now. I've consigned there religiously in the 18 years or so since (up until last week) I found out that there can be big money in turning over used items!
About 10 years ago, I was notified by one of the employees (later to become a manager) of the San Antonio store (they operate 2 in Austin, Texas as well) that some fishy things were going on with the owners. Several other employees have confirmed this on different occassions. I was informed that they had a "list" in the back of the store in the office of certain people that they didn't "screw" with. My name was on that list. "Screwing" a client entailed purposely shorting them on checks (lining their own pockets), selling things right away and paying the consignor 2 months later at a discounted rate, taking consignors' clothes to their other 2 locations in a different city, changing the consignment number to the "house" number (where they put it in THEIR name and sell it as their own and take 100% profit!), and so on.
I know the contract states that they are "not responsible for any garment that is lost or stolen" but does that include theft by the owners? How convenient!
My consignment checks were pretty big since I was such a good consignor and I continued to be happy until one day not long after that information was given to me, the same employee called me and said that he noticed some discrepancies in my payout. I was supposed to get "X" amount but I was about $600 short!
According to the records, I was to get an extra $600 on my check, but my check was short that amount. He confronted the manager about this and the manager simply said, "computer error" and cut me a check for the difference. I tried to watch my consignments like a hawk for a while and things kind of smoothed over. Problem is, I don't KNOW what sells, when it sells and for how much, actually!
So, I'm not privy to ANY information that could make my case rock solid. EXCEPT the fact that a few managers have told me what amount to expect on my checks and then the checks were HUNDREDS lower! Where did all of this money go? How long has this been going on? How many other people are they doing this to? How much money has gone missing in the 25 years they've been in business?
When you show up to check up on your items, the owner, John Harris, acts very uneasy and is kind of rude. It's as if you're not supposed to be there or something. His wife, Debbie is extremely rude, curt, volatile and unprofessional. Reason? A lot to hide.in all the years I've been consigning there, they act as if they barely know me. They're keeping me at arms length for a reason.
The last straw was this week. I have TONS of clothing on consignment at this store! Good stuff that ALWAYS sells for top dollar. Well, I got a computer generated check for $117 and a hand written check for $318. Total about $440. I was told by the manager just the week prior that my total sales for the month were $2,400. I get 40% of that. The check for $117, he told me, was ALL they were going to give me until he complained to the owner's wife, Debbie about it. He said she got really nasty when confronted with this information and proceeded to WRITE BY HAND a check for $318. I'm no mathemetician, but that still leaves me HUNDREDS short of what I was due. Where did this money mysteriously go?
I feel that I've no choice than to blow the whistle on these frauds who are lining their pockets with money that belongs to the consignors. I hope to expose them to the local media and via the internet. I also hope to contact the District Attorney about this. This is BLATANT, In Your Face theft any way you cut it!
Consignor Beware!
Do not consign at second looks in san antonio!
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