BBB issues warning about Willard auction business

The Better Business Bureau has issued a consumer warning about an auction business based in Willard.

BBB officials said in a news release that customers of Hidden Treasures Auction Barn LLC have reported the company allegedly failed to pay for auction sales, has not been in contact with them and provided poor customer service.

“Reports consumers have given us about giving this business their property and not being paid for it is disturbing,” said Pamela Hernandez, regional director for the Springfield BBB, in the release. “The business has an obligation to pay the consumers for the items it sold at auction.”

Officials with Hidden Treasures Auction Barn could not be reached for comment this morning by phone and email.

BBB officials say their attempts to reach Hidden Treasures Auction Barn for comment have failed and that officials did not respond to a letter on how the company would address customer complaints. Hidden Treasures Auction Barn, which is not accredited by the BBB, has an F rating on its BBB.org profile.

The release provided three customer examples of dealings with Hidden Treasures Auction Barn. One is an unidentified woman from Springfield who says she was not paid for items sold by the business.

“I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of," the woman told the BBB, according to the release.

The release cites Missouri secretary of state filings in listing the business organizers as Kristen Roach and Roger Rice.