1 /5 Alexsandria Wood: I had high hopes for CJ’s Consignment as a local artist, but my experience has been deeply disappointing. Initially, things seemed promising; I had some items selling, and I was able to pick up the checks one out of the two days a month they paid out.
However, as I began my job driving over the road, communication became a major issue. During one of my 34-hour resets, I went to the shop and was able to discuss the challenges of getting to the shop during their two payout dates each month and they were able to mail my check that following month. Then I didn’t receive anything from them again. Anytime I called, they said they cannot discuss accounts over the phone.
A few months later, I transitioned to a local job and thought it would be easier. When I went to the store for an payout, I noticed my things were not on display so I inquired about my unsold items, The staff seemed puzzled about the whereabouts, and after some time, the manager emerged and quickly became irritated by my questions.
There was a contradiction in their policies. While they initially stated that local artist items werent supposed to be donated, a few minutes later I was told that my items had been donated. They claimed they had tried to contact me several times, but I had no missed calls or voicemails on my end. When I asked for specifics on when they called, the manager couldn’t provide any records, only recollections that she knew they called.
When discussing their donation process, I was told that items are donated to those in need, such as victims of house fires. While I understand the importance of giving, I don’t see how my interior decorations fit that description. By the end of our conversation, the manager went to the back and brought out a few remaining items—a small bag of decorations and a small box of 6-7 tumblers—despite earlier stating that everything had been donated. This inconsistency left me baffled. Not to mention, I was originally only there to pick up a payout check to begin with but I took the hint.
It’s disheartening to think there were so many items just gone and “donated” but she couldn’t provide any documentation nor a list of anything that had previously sold. To top it off, I am still waiting for the last check for items sold. Overall, my experience at CJ’s Consignment has been frustrating and disheartening. I had hoped for a supportive environment for local artists, but my experience suggests otherwise.
