Comments on: Washington Consignment Closes, Still Owes People Money

By: treasure Hunters Roadshow

treasure Hunters Roadshow — Mon, 23 May 2011 04:44:39 +0000

I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

By: Eric Stephenson

Eric Stephenson — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:33:45 +0000

I would of told him either get me my money or ill beat you within an inch of your life. Simple as that don't let people walk all over you. Come on people these days needs to man up. I don't understand how people get scammed like this. What are you people thinking?!

By: debmcd

debmcd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:14:20 +0000

Find a reputable shop to consign with in the directory at http://www.narts.org.
Memebers operate under a code of ethics.

By: The Morning Metropolitan «

The Morning Metropolitan « — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:03:17 +0000

[...] follows up on the owner of Georgetown Birdcage, John P. Coon, who left a lot of people unhappy when he closed Washington Consignment in Cleveland [...]

By: Conspicuous Consignment Shop Owner Opens Another Store, Prepares for Reality Show Stardom - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:46:03 +0000

[...] P. Coon, who closed Washington Consignment Shop while still owing people money, recently closed another consignment store—Nest on Wisconsin Avenue—and opened another [...]

By: Concerned Reader

Concerned Reader — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:26:59 +0000

I can't help but notice the similarities between the now defunct Nest website and that of a new store in Georgetown:
http://www.georgetownbirdcage.com/

I liked the look of some of the goods listed for sale, but am concerned it might be another business associated with this scheme- does anyone know more about this new store?

By: Law Suit - Team on Your Side

Law Suit - Team on Your Side — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:19:08 +0000

If any of you are interested in participating in a group lawsuit please email us at:

washconsign.investigators@gmail.com

We already have several people who have contacted us and the attorney will be holding a meeting sometime in the next 30 days (or less) at his office for those who can attend. INfomration will be sent to individuals who respond and not posted to this blog for privacy purposes.

Please, if you have been a victim of this scheme and are owed money or know someone who is, contact us and participate in this.

By: Atticus

Atticus — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:25:30 +0000

Similar to Anne's earlier email, if anyone is interested, I have a copy of the original Washington Consignment contract. Please email DCAtticus@gmail.com.

By: TheTeamOnYourSide

TheTeamOnYourSide — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:52:35 +0000

ATTENTION EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN RIPPED OFF BY JOHN COON AND WASHINGTON CONSIGNMENT OR NEST. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING YOUR MONEY BACK WE ARE MOVING FORWARD TO DO THAT.
Contact us at the following email address for more infomation and please provide specifics for your case:

washconsign.investigators@gmail.com

We will respond to you upon receipt of your email to confirm that you are legitimate person with a legitimate complaint against Mr. Coon and his stores.

Please forward this to anyone that you know that was taken advantage of by Mr. Coon and who may want to be included in this process.

Sincerely,
The Team On Your Side

By: TSERING WANGMO

TSERING WANGMO — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:09:12 +0000

I am from Charlottesville, VA, and I have consigned 5 items at the Washington Consignment in July 2008. My items are Tibetan antique chests and 2 statues. I keep receiving emails and phone calls from the lady named, Kathleen, either owns the store or works there that except for one shrine chest, rests have been sold. Untill now which is March 2009, I have not received any single penny. She left a message saying that now the store is closed down, and the new one is called THE NEST. Despite of several phone calls and emails, they never send us anything, they have excuses after excuses, like in the middle of the move, computers not hooked up, checks for items sold in September will be mailed in Oct. so on and so on. So, my husband paid a surprise visit at the Nest and met with John who said he is not involved, which is a Big Lie. Of course John was not at the Washington Consignment, when I drop off the consignment, but Kathleen kept on mentioning his name "John really liked your pieces and he and I wanted to drive down to see more of your consignments, especially some Tibetan rugs for Christmas sale"
So, my husband met this John and had a rough conversation and no sign of Kathleen in the store. He said she has taken a break and he even left a message to her. My husband saw one of our piece at this store and he brought it back.

BUT WE ARE WORKING ON THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. WE WON'T LET IT JUST SLIDE BY . BOTH KATHLEEN AND JOHN MAY HAVE THOUGHT THAT WE ASIANS ARE DUMP, STUPID AND IDIOT and will just close our mouth. But we are not one of those. THIS IS NOT A THREAT, IT IS THRUTH. They will get their fruit very soon.

By: Harriet Macolm

Harriet Macolm — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:24:12 +0000

I have never consigned anything with this store but I have several items I purchased from there in my home. I am sorry to hear that they have closed and I am shocked to hear of the unethical behavior of the owners.

Does anyone know what became of that hairless cat that lived in the Connecticut Avenue store?

By: Wow!Another Customer

Wow!Another Customer — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:58:23 +0000

I've noticed in following this blog that Mr. Coon keeps defending himself against these charges, however he fails to pay his consignors what he owes them even after acting so indignant about the whole thing. At a time when his store was "in trouble" he went on a nice vacation out of the country - back very suntanned. And yes, we checked into it as well and yes, he does have a rather nice home (according to city tax records worth nearly $2 million). We felt ripped off, but now we feel really ripped off. He keeps defending himself. If he is so honest why hasn't he sent a formal agreement showing a payment plan to his customers - not saying he'll pay - but actually showing the amount owed, an inventory of the items sold, and a payment structure that would indicated that he plans to make steady payments to those owed over a short period of time to pay them back? Instead what we see is that he keeps taking in new consignment items, keeps selling things, and keeps juggling money around not paying the others that he owes in some kind of steady, regular way so that they know that he's sincere about his wanting to pay his consignors that he owes, in full? He seems to read these posts pretty ofen so maybe he wants to explain to the readers here what his plan is to communicate with his current "creditors" that he owes money to and tell them exactly when he plans to pay them and how much he plans to pay them, over what period of time, so that they know that he's the good, honest man that he keeps claiming to be. Frankly, we are with the others who believe this is nothing but a stall tactic aimed at hoping that if he drags this out long enough people will just move on and forget and then his checks quit being mailed. At what point does he decide that he's "paid" in full? Or that he's not paying anymore? IF you are so honest Mr. Coon, why don't you just pay the people what you owe them instead of nickel and diming the payments so they just go away? Clearly, you could take out a home equity loan on your home to do that. Or get a business loan? Or what about a personal loan? If you can afford to keep another store open, take in new consignments, pay your mortgage, and take vacations you can afford to pay your consignors. We have learned a lesson and next time take your things to the store in Falls Church or the one in Bethesda. Where you get a complete accounting of your items, prompt payment, and honest dealings. I repeat, prompt payment.

By: al gonzales

al gonzales — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:05:21 +0000

Don't steal people's money, & then they won't say bad things about you. You're an idiot & a thief.

By: Washington Consignment

Washington Consignment — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:45:22 +0000

The level of irrationality of many of the accusations now being hurled against the former Washington Consignment is reaching a point of ludicrousness which simply strains credibility.
Would the “James” of the previous posting please reveal himself, that is, if he really exists? Washington Consignment does not owe any “James” thousands of dollars. One suspects this is simply a pseudonym for a not very clever fired ex-employee or thinly disguised competitor.
Such accusations as these are nothing less than LIBELOUS. Anyone making such accusations should be prepared to answer. To make false and malicious statements with the intent to damage the reputation and indeed the prospect for future livelihood of any individual is a contemptible act and illegal.
First, Washington Consignment used the same inventory control software that is the industry standard for all consignment stores. As anyone with even the slightest knowledge of this software, Liberty, or indeed computer science in general, would know, it is impossible to change or “manipulate” the program without leaving a record of the change.
Washington Consignment has never had its computerized accounting software serviced or set-up by any outside technician so anyone claiming knowledge of how our accounting software is configured or more importantly that it was configured to “cook the books” is blatantly lying and shall be held accountable, in court if necessary, for this lie. The accusation that Washington Consignment sold items on EBay is laughable. Washington Consignment never at any time listed or sold items on EBay, either through the store or through any personal account of Mr. Coon’s.
It is patently untrue to state that former Washington Consignment consignors had no way to contact the company. The company’s mailing address was, and continues to be, posted on the former Washington Consignment website, http://www.washingtonconsignment.com.
Using a Post Office box as a contact point is standard operating procedure in the case of an insolvent company. The primary point is privacy. We have already been witness to the despicable effort on the part of two posters in this forum to post the home address of John Coon online, an unacceptable invasion of privacy which would have not only affected Mr. Coon but his family, as well.
The vast majority of former consignors were contacted by Tally-Ho Limited, the parent company of Washington Consignment, by letter before they ever had time to inquire after a mailing address. Those who have complained about not being able to reach Washington Consignment are in a distinct minority and a regrettable oversight.
The core point is that the majority of the bile unleashed in this forum is personal and directed against Mr. Coon rather than based on any rational understanding of a failed business. The fact remains that there are dozens of satisfied consignors and dear friends of Washington Consignment who supported the store through the years and had their accounts successfully resolved when the store closed. Individuals, who will, if necessary, testify on the store’s behalf. But the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Washington Consignment will not be bullied or barraged with un-substantiated accusations and irresponsible threats. We will defend ourselves and our reputation.
Washington Consignment strongly suspects that a few individuals are using multiple names to gang-post on this forum. The timeline is telling. Postings become less specific and more and more filled with conspiratorial theories as time goes on, even to the point of one poster encouraging readers not to even bother contacting Washington Consignment. This speaks for itself.
Those wishing to contact Tally-Ho Limited are requested to write the company at the following address: Tally-Ho Limited, PO Box 39070, Washington, DC 20016.
Washington Consignment will no longer post in this forum.

By: James

James — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:28:50 +0000

I am writing to inform you of the activities of Mr. John Coon owner of Washington Consignment, who owes me thousands of $$$$. He ran three stores, two in the District and one in Rockville Maryland. He has recently closed the three stores and has opened a new store called "Nest" on Wisconsin Ave. NW. - just up the street from Washington Consignment where he has bilked numerous people of monies owed, saying business was bad.

The reason for this letter is to inform you that this man is a crook and should be put in jail. He bilked people of their consignments by ignoring their consignment contracts, and not paying them. Consignments which were sold by a certain date would be recorded as sold on a different date, there by decreasing the customer's profit. He is a cheater. He tells the customer to leave their property in the store after not being sold so the money could go to charities, he will lower the price so the piece will sell right away and keep the money. Nothing ever goes to charity, but instead into his pocket. If you bring something expensive he will tell you that it’s worth a very low price, he will then sell it to his friends, eBay or take it to his home. He will also keep peoples consignments and tell them that they have disappeared or someone stole them. He's a scoundrel!
I have contacted the company where he had his computer serviced and discovered that his program was set up for "baking" the books. The individual I spoke to told me that Mr. Coon had the computer programmed in a very creative way. He does the billing work by hand so he can manipulate the records. He gets a lot of cash and it all goes to him. He has closed the 3 stores, taken money from droves of people who have no recourse. Then opened another store without informing anyone -particularly those he owes money. There is presently a coordinated effort to bring a class action law suit against him. When one calls the original consignment stores there is no forwarding address, no manner to contact him in person, simply a post office box.

He also has other companies that where being run from his household now from the new store. This is pertinent as he is offering cleaning and painting in addition to his furniture sales and is using illegal aliens; frequently not paying them. The manager of one of his stores told me of an incident where several appeared at the consignment shop threatening to kill Mr. Coon; they ended up in his house and he was compelled to pay them; then, and there. Just another reason for moving those companies to another location.

He has been doing this for years to so many people. Let’s stop it now and let’s get our money back. I am not a competitor; I was one of the many disappointed customers.