CONROE, Texas – Estate sales are more than transactions — they’re an exchange of trust. Families hand over antique furniture, rare china, glassware and other cherished possessions that hold decades of fond memories. For Kim and Bob Hervey, those possessions were their last tangible pieces of a mother’s life. Instead of closure, they were left with anger, sadness and a long fight to get what was owed.
A family’s treasures — and a promise unkept
In November 2023, the Herveys hired Gallery One Auctions and Estate Sales to sell items that belonged to Kim’s mother at one time: antique furniture, rare china, glassware and other family heirlooms. The company’s owner, Keesha Lynne Black, agreed to handle the sale and pay the family a total of $2,037.00 for the items.
Months stretched into years. Despite winning a judgment in small claims court against Black, Kim says she still has not received a penny of the money owed. “It makes you feel sad, it makes you feel taken advantage of… and then quite frankly it just makes you angry,” she said. The emotional toll of losing more than money — losing the sense that family history will be handled respectfully — is what hurts most.
When reporting led to an arrest
After exhausting available avenues, Kim contacted 2 Helps You and investigative reporter Bill Spencer. Bill’s first piece of advice was to file a police report with the Conroe Police Department, something many estate sale fraud victims fail to do. Following that advice, Kim did just that and following a police report filed with Conroe police, the situation took a turn.
Keesha Lynne Black was arrested in Frisco, Texas, and now faces a charge of theft of property between $750 and $2,500 — a criminal count that can carry up to a year in jail and a fine up to $4,000.
Kim says the outcome felt like the right step toward accountability. “It’s like, yes — this is right, this is what needs to happen,” she said. “I don’t think without your help that I would be where I am and she’d be where she is.” After the ordeal, Kim reports she is feeling better and grateful for the support that helped push the case forward.
A wider problem: complaints and warning signs
Journalists who cover estate sale fraud say the Herveys’ story is sadly familiar. One of the first things reporters and consumer advocates recommend is checking an estate sale company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. In the case of Gallery One, an earlier search turned up more than 10 complaints and, at the time, an F rating — a sign that customers’ issues were not being addressed.
That pattern — repeated complaints, unanswered disputes and broken promises — is a warning sign for anyone thinking about trusting an estate sale company with family valuables.
Why these items matter
Family heirlooms are rarely just objects. They’re reminders of birthdays, weddings, grandparents and long-ago dinners around a table. When those items are sold, families expect not only fair payment but respectful handling and accurate accounting. The financial loss is painful, but the deeper loss is the erosion of trust: trust that keeps family stories intact and helps loved ones feel they honored a life.
As Kim put it: “I was completely at my wits’ end. I was getting nowhere with anybody... and the one organization I hadn’t called was the police.” For many families, turning to law enforcement or the courts is a last resort — pursued only after negotiation and good-faith attempts with these companies fail.
Steps to protect heirlooms when using an estate sale company
Below are practical steps families can take to reduce risk when hiring an estate sale firm:
- Get references and check reviews: Search the Better Business Bureau, online reviews and local consumer protection resources. Multiple unresolved complaints are a red flag.
- Insist on a written contract: The contract should list commission rates, timelines, insurance coverage, payment terms and how unsold items will be handled.
- Inventory every item: Photograph and document items you give to the company. Note identifying marks, provenance (what generation it came from) and estimated value if possible.
- Require receipts and accounting statements: Ask for an itemized sales report showing what sold, at what price, and the net amount due to you.
- Hold back particularly valuable items: If you’re unsure, keep family jewels, documents and items of high sentimental or monetary value until you’ve established trust.
- Consider escrow or partial payment up front: For larger estates, an escrow arrangement or staged payments can reduce risk.
- Know your options: If you suspect fraud, file complaints with consumer protection agencies, the Better Business Bureau and local police. Small claims court can be an option for unpaid amounts.
A reminder about respect and accountability
Estate sale companies play an important role during difficult times. They offer a service that helps families downsize and preserve memories. But with that responsibility comes an obligation to act transparently and honorably. When that trust is broken, the damage goes well beyond dollars — it can feel like part of a family’s history has been taken.
Kim’s fight is a reminder to anyone entrusting their heirlooms to a third party: ask questions, document everything, and insist on accountability. It’s not just about protecting money — it’s about protecting the stories those objects carry.
If you have a similar experience or need help checking an estate sale company, the Better Business Bureau is a good place to start. And if you’d like help turning a difficult estate sale into a respectful closing chapter, ask for references, insist on clear paperwork and never underestimate the value of an inventory and receipts.