There’s an old saying: “All things come in threes,” especially when it comes to challenges—and after the past two weeks, I’m inclined to believe it.
What surprises me most isn’t that things go wrong sometimes—that’s life—but how often people refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. In just the last couple of weeks, I’ve dealt with three separate situations where individuals tried to shift the blame for their own mistakes. Here’s what happened:
1. The Late Pick-Up and the One-Star Review
An auction buyer showed up two hours late on the final day of scheduled pick-ups. They didn’t call, email, or text. By the time they arrived, we had already begun donating remaining unclaimed items. Some of their purchases were still available, and we gave them what we could. But rather than acknowledging their lateness, they posted a one-star Google review—using both my first and last name—accusing me of bad behavior. Odd, since I wasn’t even on-site that day.
A few days later, I received an email from the same person demanding a full refund. Not partial—a full refund, despite the fact they received several of their items. When I declined, I was told they would report me to the Washington State Attorney General.
2. “The Rug Is Still There”
Another auction buyer purchased a rug. Our pickup dates and times had been clearly posted. We also provide a phone number for buyers who may be running late or need to make other arrangements. This buyer didn’t reach out until two days after the final pick-up window had closed. I explained that the house had been fully cleared, cleaned, and was being prepped for sale. The homeowner had moved to assisted living and needed to sell the home to cover her care costs. The buyer’s response? He called me “a liar” and insisted the family still had his rug.
3. Six Weeks Later…
A third buyer purchased a collection of British Royal memorabilia to be shipped. We packed and shipped the items promptly. Six weeks later, I received an email claiming some pieces had arrived broken. When I asked if the package had just arrived, she said no—she’d just been “too busy with work” to report the issue sooner. When my response didn’t meet her timeline, she filed a claim through PayPal—not for the damaged items, but for a full refund.
I’ve always believed in doing the right thing. If we make a mistake, we own it and do our best to make it right. But when we are not at fault, I have a responsibility to protect our clients—many of whom are seniors—against people trying to game the system.
The items we sell aren’t ours. We represent seniors who are downsizing, moving into assisted living, and relying on the sale of their belongings to fund their care. These aren’t just transactions—they’re lifelines. It’s frustrating when people try to exploit that, or us, for their own benefit.
I will always take accountability when we fall short. What I won’t do is let someone else’s poor choices cost my clients—the very people who need us most. And while we all fear the sting of a bad review, I refuse to let that fear override our core mission: protecting and supporting the seniors and families who trust us during some of life’s most vulnerable transitions