ORLANDO, Fla. — Several families claim they've been burned by a well-known estate sale agent at one of the worst times in their lives.
The families said they had to sell off property after a death or a forced move, and claimed the agent kept all the cash.
Estate sale agent Silas Pierce was running a recent sale for a family who just lost a loved one. He was trusted to liquidate furniture and collectibles, then pay the family, but Action 9 found at least six customers claiming Pierce betrayed that trust and kept their cash.
“Did you ever see a dime?” asked Action 9's Todd Ulrich.
“Not a nickel. Not a phone call. Nothing,” said Jan Goldfarb.
Goldfarb hired Pierce to sell her property on consignment. She signed a contract with his Estate Sale Stars company 18 months ago, then claims Pierce refused to pay her anything for what he sold.
Raw: Todd Ulrich confronts man accused in estate sale hustles
“And I want this man not to ever be able to do this to anyone else again," she said.
Betena Meyers claimed that after selling off her father's estate five years ago, Pierce kept thousands of dollars in proceeds.
“He hurt my family very bad," she said.
Meyers sued Pierce in court but lost.
Ernest and Mildred Murdock's son hired Pierce to liquidate his parents' belongings. Three years later, their daughter-in-law said Pierce refuses to pay $5,000 from the sale.
“It was just really devastating not to have any recourse. That was the hardest part,” said Marilee Murdock.
Three customers sued Pierce, while others filed complaints with the attorney general and Better Business Bureau.
“I've talked to consumers who have lots of questions about what happened to their money,” Ulrich told Pierce.
“I've never had that happen, never happened,” replied Pierce.
“I've talked to these people and read documents. It's scary,” said Ulrich.
Later, Pierce told Ulrich that estate sales are emotional and don't generate profits families expect. And he can account for every sale and denies cheating anyone.
“At a bad time in their lives, they say you cashed in?” said Ulrich.
“Let's go. Let's go out,” said Pierce as he closed the door.
Despite denials since Action 9's investigation began, Pierce paid the Murdock family in full and has promised to pay Goldfarb.
He said since Meyers lost a small-claims case, he doesn't owe her anything.
WFTV
