My name is Abagayle Holverson, and I am writing on behalf of over twenty small business owners that have entered into contracts with a business in your area called Queen City Emporium. They have set up consignment contracts with all of us, taken our products, and either don’t pay according to the terms of our contract, don’t respond to requests for sales information, or just plain will not return our products to us at all.
I work very hard to sell my products online on the website etsy.com, which is a website that specializes in selling handmade goods. It was through Etsy that Queen City first approached me (and others) to set up consignment deals. Since sending off my package, I have not had any contact with them whatsoever. Any request for information, or payment, or just plain to have my items back, go ignored. And I wish I could say that my situation is unique. In speaking with other sellers, we have discovered that these stories are commonplace for Queen City.
Some sellers have had items in Queen City Emporium since it opened last spring, but have yet to see any sort of payment for their wares. Others have lived out their contractual four month consignment period, and Queen City does not mail back their products even when the seller demands it. There are reports of them telling a seller that the check is in the mail, but it is never received. Some sellers are only out a few hundred dollars worth of product, but some have sent out over a thousand dollars worth of merchandise! For a small business owner, that is an incredibly big deal. And to think that there are over twenty people at least (that I know of) that have had similar situations is appalling.
In conclusion, please, don’t shop with Queen City Emporium. Help us to spread the word. Encourage them to rectify this situation. They are not supporting handmade, American made products, they are stealing from hard working artisans that are just trying to put food on the table by doing what they love.
Sincerely,
Abagayle Holverson
http://www.buttonsoneverything.etsy.com
The News Evolution
I would like to update the number of sellers, when I wrote this originally, there were only 20+ sellers. Our current count is 78, and this number is growing every day.
I am in the same boat as you. Have heard nothing and no responses to email or requests. I would love to be put on any list you have as we get any information. I filed a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General
Dani – Hopefully you see this! Please contact me, buttonsoneverything@gmail.com
In addition to sellers – buyers were cheated by this store as well. I bought a Groupon for Queen City – granted I’m not out much – but when you add up all the folks who bought Groupons (I believe it was 50 or so) – anyone who didn’t use their purchase is out the cost. I’m a crafter myself though I don’t sell anything – so I know how hard you all work. I’m so sorry this happened…I was just trying to support folks like you all.
I’m in the same boat. I sent them $300 worth of merchandise last fall, got one report that nothing had sold, and then nothing. All attempts at contacting them gets me a form e-mail saying I will be contacted shortly by an attorney. Their definition of shortly and mine are evidently not from the same dictionary. Does anyone know if they have a real storefront in Springfield?
My heart goes out to small business owners and buyers who were cheated. It’s too bad those wanting to support local made goods were cheated. I feel for the small business owners who were taken. Small business owners often are hanging on my a thread and looking for new outlets & venues to increase their sales and exposure.America was built on small business. Hope someone can step in and make things right for those who lost not only money, but confidence and trust. Like I said my heart goes out to anyone affected.