Re: Investigation by Trish Van Pilsum
What a crock!!!! No real in depth investigation here!! Shallow and attacking a reputable business
that employs 50+ people doing a job no one else wants to do.
The so-called former employee would be a
plant if anything—probably a disgruntled buyer, the kind who switches or alters
price tags, goes through closets clearly marked private that contain the
clients personal possessions that are not for sale, bullies the staff into
discounts—you name it. If there really
was a truthful investigation conducted it should have included ALL estate sale
businesses not just a vendetta against one.
This smells of a private attack for personal reasons—and Fox “news”
sensationalism. I have worked for
Birkeland in the past and several others who have been in the business even
longer. I am still coughing from
exposure to moldy basements, chemicals and other nasty crap that employees
encounter in this business—why do we do it??
Not for the low wages, long hours and nasty exposures but the element of
being able to purchase unusual or desirable things—but always after the public
has a crack at it and this is almost always the small stuff because how much
can you buy at $5-8/hour?? Yes, there
always are those who may get greedy and put something aside but rarely do they
actually “get by” with any shenanigans.
Estate Sale Managers deal with theft in all forms—thousands of dollars by shady
dealers (only a small percent—but annoying) who frequent sales or fanatic
collectors who hide things that they pick up later after the sale is closed
(Oh, yes, I remember a valuable clock was taken out the back placed between
bushes with the intent to come back after dark—we searched until we found
it).
As for the client who’s sale was
less than the contract minimum, you, Miss Van Pilsum, failed to give the FULL
picture again. First off this was in
the middle of the winter when garage sales cannot be easily conducted, secondly
the estate company is obligated to provide work for their somewhat underpaid
staff, thirdly, the client wasn’t given the chance to state that all the work
involved in cleaning out their home and disposing of their items within a very
short period of time was the goal in the first place!
These sales almost always are held for two days only—that means a
houseful needs to be emptied WITHIN 2 days.
Prices need to be correct and buyers need to be enticed. Plus employees are instant buyers, are aware
of the client and those I have worked with are considerate and thoughtful of
the clients feelings and what they are going through unlike those who answer
the ads and have no commitment to the client.
I am a retired businessperson (yes, that’s right a woman) having worked 30+ years as a retail store owner and as a manufacturer rep. I find Craig to be an honest, sincere, businessman!
PS I have talked with several
dealers and friends who attend estate sales and they are of the SAME opinion of
your newscast—Fox news at its usual shallowness. This has been written without any contact with Birkeland & Assoc.
