Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/16/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  12/13-14-2024 Estate Sale. Cannot get any accounting of the results of this sale. Repeated calls and replies of "a check is in the mail" have had no results.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/17/2025

  Your accounting has been sent. Your check has also been sent. Our company has completed your sale.

  You should have already received your paperwork. There is the three days sheets and an explanation of all money payments. And fees. With break down of percentages. 
  

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/15/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In September 2024 we hired **** ****** who owns People Helping People Estate and Liquidation Sales to help liquidate our company in ***********, ******. The list of items that needed to be sold is extensive but included 3 trucks, 3 walk in coolers, desks, office chairs, computers, printers, and tools etc. As of November 15th, 2024 we have not received any payment or accounting records that show what was sold and for what amount. **** ****** has told us several times that "the check is in the mail" and he stopped answering his phone or texts. He preys on older vulnerable people for his own financial gain and needs to be STOPPED!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/29/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  BEWARE!!! of this company I had an estate sale done from my client who had passed away per his daughters request on December 15 16th and 17th of 2023. This company has yet to pay for the products they have sold they had also went into a room that was off-limits, and they were told it was off-limits by me Im the one that signed the contract because the daughter lives out of state, I gave them some of my grandfathers coins to sell. I have tried to contact them multiple times in regards to this issue. They ignore my phone calls they ignore my emails. They ignore my text messages. They are claiming they dont know who the daughter is or the son-in-law they stole from my client , they stole from me I have to file a legal suit against this company still to this day February 29 or 2024 we have not received payment for the products they sold at my clients house nor have I received payment for the stuff he sold that was mine. They are liars. They are cheats they go after the elderly and they dont care, all the owner does is give us a runaround about the checks being issued. Hes a liar and I suggest anybody that wants to work with him pulls a background check on the owner before hiring him This is not the first time he has done this to people. He said my client made $10,280 but his daughters portion was only 5000 and something they were only supposed to take 30% of what was sold so they are trying to take more than they were owed Better Business Bureau do your job and tell me how I can have this companies license removed they cannot continue to get away with this especially when it comes to our elderly this is not OK I paid this company $200 to secure a spot so they could sell my client stuff What a big mistake that was companies like this give estate sale, companies a bad name and you can tell how many complaints theyve had in the first time if you go in and read the target the elderly and then try to get away with it.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/29/2024

  We at people helping people take this very seriously. Every client has the option to go through the sale before we open the doors. To the public as via the contract states. You state we have taken things out of the room and sold them to the public. That is correct. we did as  the estate daughter told us to. You were giving the opportunity to look over the stuff at the sale. We have had multiple complaints on bbb form you, ****, and ****, The issue with the check is real the bank has to cancel the check that was issued and do an investigation if the check has been cashed. As of Thursday 29th of February. Its still under investigation. I dont respond to texts and calls from people that insult me. Threaten me, threaten my family, and call me vulgus, nasty names. Also bashing my company on all social media. As far as stealing from you. Not such luck. We dont need your items. And were permitted with permission to enter such room to remove (jewelry) watches are jewelry! And other items. Also you were standing there telling us to remove items. As our associate were asking if they were for sale! *** you said they were and now it changes. We at people helping people estate sales try our best to make every client happy and treated fairly. we try to make as much as we can for our clients. 
  we can only do our best with the tools we have and what we are told. As to its stated in the vulgar, untrue statement provided by you. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/04/2024

   
  Complaint: 21363983
  
  I am rejecting this response because: the statement you made about every client having the option to go through the sale before you open the doors is untrue, if I was allowed to I would have taken multiple items back that were grabbed from ******  room without permission from me (the one that you have a contract with). Regarding the multiple complaints this is the first complaint I have made regarding this situation. As far as the complaint made by **** and **** you stated you didnt know who they were but then when asked about the jewelry taken from the room you stated you had permission from **** even though you did not have a contact with her! As far as me saying you could sell those items that is also untrue as my son was a witness to me specifically telling you not to remove any items from that back room. Regarding the issue about the check it has been three months and still no answer. You state its still under investigation however have not provided any documentation or information proving its under investigation or proof that the first check was sent out! This seems to be your MO based on the previous complaints made about your business. You do not try to make your clients happy you simply try to s**** your clients over. I even had the newburg police try to give you a call since you werent answering any calls or text or emails from me. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/30/2024

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My wife had an estate sale and this company has not paid.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/30/2024

  Never had a contact with these people. Spam. Please remove. This person has left three businesses complaints.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/12/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On Nov. 17, 18, 19 2023 People Helping People Estate ************************************* conducted an estate sale per contract. The problem stems from total lack of payment from the proceeds of the sale and what seems like a run-around and then ghosting. I have contacted them several times to follow up on payment. Excuses received that it's being handled by their accountant who is very busy with over 500 clients. Communiciations ignored or slow response. Now texts and VMs left for both *********** owners, ignored. Abusive texts from **** reprimanding me for bothering them about payment. Told accountant would mail the check on Dec. 1, 2023. The check has still not been received as of today, Dec. 12, 2023. Voice messages and texts are being ignored. This sale was held for an estate for which I am the authorized personal representative. Funds are needed to pay expenses for the deceased person's estate. This situation is very similar to other complaints on BBB about this company and mishandling or refusing payments due to clients. It took multiple requests over at least 2 weeks to get a final accounting of the sale total. A tally at the end of the sale was not provided as promised. The net amount owed to me is $8,882.07, which includes the $200 deposit. The net amount is after the deduction for their 30% commission. The total sale amount per **** is $12,402.96 plus $200.00 deposit paid by check at the time of contract signing. What can be done to resolve this so that the funds due to the estate are paid per the signed contract by owners, *********** People Helping People Estate *********************************************** (PHP)?

  Business Response

  Date: 12/14/2023

  We at people helping people do as we say. The check was mailed to the client on the date it was supposed to be delivered. As to the check not getting to the client, we heard that the client has forwarded the mail to a different address and now there is a delay in getting there check.

  As To the result I will have to cancel the cashiers check and have a new one issued and new paperwork will have to be issued to the client.

  The check was mailed, the paperwork was mailed the first time in the time frame it was to be mailed the address provided to our company on the contract. As due to the change of address it will have to be hand delivered to the client so this wont happen again. Rest assured this will be taken care of. Thanks people helping people.

   

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 20999474
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  People Helping People (***) mailed the original check to the incorrect address per their own email admission. I have no evidence that any check was ever mailed as 18 days later that original check has never shown up. The fact there was a change of address on a sold property in estate probate is irrelevant to this complaint--that was not the correct mailing address. They did not follow check mailing address instructions in the contract. **** continued even through this morning in an email to blame me for the lost check. I had to provide a copy of the contract to prove he used the wrong address.

  Although this complaint is primarily about lack of payment, I have issues with **** deflecting blame for this onto me, the client. ****, *** owner, accused me of "bashing" his company by filing this complaint. The *** delay of addressing this for a full week after notifying *** of the issue continued with excuses of busy, no phone or internet access, out of town, not responsible for mail delays and blaming me for processing an address change (see paragraph above regarding *** using the wrong address) and avoidance of requests for calls or confirmation of plans to pay. Because of this my confidence in being paid as promised was low.

  As to payment, that has been satisfactorily resolved. Per my request for a Cashier's Check to be hand delivered, **** paid the full amount due as requested. After consulting with my estate attorney, I followed up with *** on a daily basis prior to receiving payment. Without the BBB complaint and the daily followups, I can't say for certainty this would have been resolved or given any priority by ***.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************, PR

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/23/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On May 8, 2023 I signed a contract with People Helping People **************************** to conduct an estate sale, July 14, 15 & 16. I mailed the refundable deposit of $200 on May 9, 2023 which they cashed 2 days after receiving. The contract states "If the client requests to cancel the sale more than 14 days prior to the sale date, we will return the deposit within 7 business days". Via text, I got confirmation that they had received my check.On June 13, I texted ********** that I had to cancel the estate sale as the buyers for my house had backed out and requested a return of my deposit. They confirmed receipt of my text.June 25 I texted them again as I hadn't received the check, they responded check would be sent that day or the next. July 7 again requested my money and have continued weekly texts with only getting 2 responses. The first being (July 24) where they said they'd sent a cashiers check and that they'd check with their bookkeeping. July 25 I texted following up on this last text and received no response. The second response was Aug 7 requesting I use ******** pay or Venmo with a "request to pay". I said no, I wanted them to send me a check. This was last time they've responded in spite of my continued weekly requests.It's now over 4 months since my first request for my refund. I have copies of all the texts and of the contract if that's helpful. Hoping you can help resolve this issue. Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/19/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired **** and his team to do an estate sale after my mother passed away. He did a pretty good job.The problem came after we were all done. I did receive a check as payment from ****, but somehow the check got lost. I asked him to verify that the check was cashed/deposited, and he insisted that I had cashed it.I requested a copy of the canceled check. He strung us along for 2 months saying he was working on it, it takes time, he was busy, he was out of town.... He finally responded to our lawyer saying he would bring a new check. Three weeks later, he changed his mind, and ghosted us. I just want what is owed.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/06/2023

  We sent the client the check. They received the check. One year has passed and they called us back to ask if the check has cleared I said no but showed a copy of the check being issued. The client said he received it but it got lost one year later. After a year its considered a stale check. Not cashed within 180 days. 
  
  
  The Uniform Commercial Code (***) is a collection of laws and regulations meant to harmonize the laws of sales and regulations across the U.S. The *** tells banks that they are under no obligation to accept personal or business checks that are older than 180 days (6 months).
  As per law we are within our rights not to reissue a new check. 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/11/2023

   
  Complaint: 18438743
  
  I am rejecting this response because: we received the check on January 20, 2022. On August 9, 2022 we realized that the check had not been deposited. I called **** and he assured me that the check had been cashed and sent me a photo of his check register showing that he wrote the check. I then asked for confirmation that the check had be deposited. He said he would look. From our lawyer on August 11th, "Spoke with ****- he is currently in Portland, he says he needs to be back in his office to get the copy of the check, and that will be next week. He will touch base with us then."

  He kept putting us off for more than a month. On September 16th, 2022 I emailed him "We just need to know if the check was cashed/deposited, and by who (it is not showing up in any of our accounts, or from the lawyer's office). They think it never made it to the bank.", he emailed us back on the 17th, " I will check Im not scheduled to be home till Wednesday of this coming week ". We never heard bay from him. On October 10th, our lawyer sent him a formal letter requesting proof of the deposit or a re-issue of the check.

  Our lawyers started calling him in November. From our lawyer on November 14th, "I spoke to ****, he said he wont be able to get to the office and in touch with his accountant until Thursday of this week. He said that its a long process but he will try to have the check reissued then, if accounting is able to do so. He said if *** wants to file a complaint, then he can. He seemed very annoyed, but I told him we just need the check to be reissued. If you want to call him back he can be reached at ************, however he is going to be out in the field handling sales until Thursday." He then stopped responding to calls, letters or emails at this point.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/26/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I had an Estate Sale on September 16, 17 and 18 by People Helping People Estate Sales and Liquidators. I was not in attendance and trusted them to do the work. I did sign an Estate Sale Agreement in which they were to take care of everything. I gave them a deposit of $200.00 to secure the date of the sale which was to be applied to my portion of the net proceeds after the sale. It stated the proceeds from sale minus expenses (trash removal) 62% of proceeds will be dispersed to the client while PHP retains 38%. A check with your portion of the proceeds will be mailed to you within 7 days plus the 3-day waiting for credit cards so 10 days. business days. (We do not provide a written inventory) but we will provide you with a till sheet at the end of the sale. I have not heard a word from them since. I have left messages on their phone and also emailed them. But no response. I am an older widow who lives alone and have moved into a retirement home. I believe these people very much took advantage of that!

  Business Response

  Date: 11/01/2022

  The check was delayed do to mail. I do apologize but I did confirm that you have received your check. Please know we do our best to help in any way we can. We are an honest company and do appreciate you. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/02/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/20/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We were warned the the company was not honest but the house was sold, my in-laws needed the money for assisted living, we could not find another company with time available for months. So we agreed to the contract after adding some words to protect some of the larger concerns. The company signed the contract accepting the changes, took our deposit then then ignored the agreement. When challenged, we were effectively told to go pound sand, the proceeds are in our bank and we can do what we want.We added words requiring our approval before any expenses were incurred and deducted from the proceeds. They deducted $1120.00 with the justification of 56 hours at $20 per hour to fill one 30 yard dumpster. We did not authorize the expense and 56 hours to fill a 30 yard dumpster is beyond ridiculous. After the sale we had a different company remove the remaining items, it took two trucks totaling 32 yards and 3 hours a labor. This is not fudging, this is fraudulent in my view.They promised several times if they found personal items they would be set aside and saved for us. They found home movies, put a price on them and tried to sell them! We also had the same experience as the other BBB complaint regarding jewelry. The contract gave us the option to have the company remove all the remaining items after the sale for $500.00. Days before the required date, I notified the company in writing that we would like them to remove the remaining items paying the agreed $500 and they refused saying they had booked a job on the coast and would not do it. We had no time because of the house closing so we had to pay a company $2432.70 to remove the items.The house had a video security system which was marked SOLD as required by the agreement and marked not to be bothered, they disabled the video system multiple times. Honest companies welcome security and transparency. Better to just throw or give everything away than help them take money from elders!

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2022

  There was a massive amount of trash at this sale! when we do trash removal of that volume it is not a free service as our contract states. Things in the shop and three other out buildings had to be gone through meticulously as there were many items that had rat/mouse f**** and urine on them. We cannot sell those things they have to be discarded. 56 hours of trash removal was divided by four employees at $20 an hour. We are not a trash removal company. As per our contract anything more than a trash can of garbage will be charged an hourly rate As per contract, you are instructed to pull any personal items prior to us arriving for set up. When we are setting up and do you find personal items they go in a blocked off room. We cannot sell re-recorded VHS tapes as they may have something on them that is inappropriate. They are put either in the trash or in with personal items. As for the clean out, you had to agree to it at the time you signed the contract, not one day before the end of the sale. Yes, you did edit our contract that our attorneys **** up. We agreed to our contract, not what you edited. We do not accept change orders. Your camera was in the way of us setting up and got moved because it was not part of the sale. As for telling to  pound sand we do not speak nor have ever spoken to our clients or customers in that manner! We are very sorry that you feel unsatisfied by the service we provided for you. We put a lot of time and work into your sale! 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2022

   
  Complaint: 17596217
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The People Helping People reply in no way addresses or satisfies any of the issues.  Please continue to try to get some real resolution and post the information so others will be warned.  Do not close this complaint or **** it as resolved.
  
  I submitted the contract they actually signed, in response they submitted a blank unsigned contract.  They are attempting to say their initial contract is somehow revenant when it was never signed by either party, the contract I submitted was signed by both parties with each page initialed by both parties.
  
  I provided evidence of why their 56 hours could not be correct and was not allowed by the contract they actually signed.   They provided nothing showing we authorized the expenditure as required by the signed contract or that it could have possibly taken that long.  Yes there was a lot of stuff but they inspected everything in person before they signed the contract to do the work.   
  
  It is clear to me that People Helping People is a dishonest company taking advantage of the public.  Please look into this further, talk to some of their other clients and remove the BBB recommendation as it is a tarnish on the BBB to indorse this company.
  
  *********************
  

  
  

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************