Another online auction store leaves customers in the lurch

Another online auction store leaves customers in the lurch

December 21, 2006

By ERICA ESTEP
6 News Reporter

KNOX COUNTY (WATE) -- Another local online auction drop off store has closed its doors, leaving customers without merchandise or money for their sold items.

iSold It on Clinton Highway posted items up for bid on eBay for customers and took a cut of the price the auction brought.

But Thursday, the doors were locked and only a few items remained inside.

"I think he's just pulled up and moved on with people's money." Teresa Neely says. She sold an expensive bracelet on eBay through iSold It. But the store closed and she never saw the hundreds of dollars they owed her.

"It sold on eBay for $797.38. After their commission, my check would have been $573.10," Neely says.

The bracelet sold in October. The winning bidder has the jewelry but Neely still hasn't received her money. "I've called them several times. You don't get an answer. I've sent at least two emails and got no answer from that."

6 News looked up the business license for the store and tracked down one of the owners, Mitch Phillips.

"I truthfully am sorry. I grew up in this community and the last thing I want to do is leave a negative impact. That's why we opened the business to provide a service to people and sell their items for them," Phillips says. 

He says he couldn't make enough money to work at the online auction store full time. And his business partner, Jorge Mendez, left town for a family emergency. Then the business collapsed around them.

"I've personally cleared out my 401K to pay back what personal debts I could. I'm trying to do whatever I can to work extra hours at my job to pay back lost debts," Phillips says. 

The iSold It store in Powell only stayed open for seven months. Phillips says customers can reach him at (423)-312-2559 to leave messages. He'll call back as soon as possible.

6 News received a call from a representative of the national iSold It Corp on Thursday. The company promises to send checks to people who have not received their money from online auctions at the Powell store.

The stores are independently owned. The iSold It store in Turkey Creek is not affiliated with the store in Powell.