Franklin Antiques — Local services in Ensley

I hired Tamara/Franklin Antiques to do my estate sale. HUGE MISTAKE! The Thursday presale was ok. However, upon return of the Friday sale, I was sadly surprised that so little was sold. As I walked through my home, I noticed many hold stickers. I then noticed that a custom wrought iron that covered a HVAC access that was attached to the wall was also missing. Understand that I was closing on the sale of my home the following week. I immediately called Tamara and she denied holding anything for the 50% off sale the following day. She also denied the custom HVAC cover issue that she could not control customers. After carefully considering the damage to my home and lack of Friday full price sales, I decided to fire Tamara and hold the Saturday sale myself. I put out signs directing to my sale and did social media post. As soon as I opened the door, traffic was great. However I quickly realized that the customers had been there before. The customers all said the same "Tamara promised that she would hold this and it would be 50% off today". Around lunchtime, Tamara appeared at my sale. She caused a huge scene and telling my customers that I was a "Scam Artist" and didn't have authority to sell my furnishings. Understandably the customers left. After she left, the customer traffic stopped. I then realized that she had taken down my signs. A neighbor sent me a picture of Tamara removing a sign. I then reviewed my own cameras and realized that it was her own staff member that removed my custom wrought iron covering the HVAC access, not a customer. I did not expect a "Paid Profesional" to treat my home with no respect. Unfortunately, the State of Florida does not regulate estate sales. She does not maintain any list of sales. She simply collects money and you must "Trust her" for your portion of your sales. She sold approx $4000.00 of my furnishings and with her mathematics, owed me a whopping $272. She's also required by state law to collect and pay Florida Sales Tax. No list or any accounting, I seriously doubt any sales tax is paid. Many of the customers from my estate sale are also vendors in her Antique Mall. Pretty easy to see how this actually works, one hand washing the other. Without any state regulation and the fact that typically the owner have passed away and the people who inherit have no idea of what moneys should be received, leaves the process open to fraud. Proceed with...

Great store but I do have a a couple suggestions for customers and store employees.

1st trip was fantastic 2nd trip not so much !

Bring your own packing material to wrap and / or watch how they are wrapping items. heavier item was placed by employee on top of very fragile glass in bag. Items broke before reaching car in parking lot.

Bought some cards that were tapped shut , box labeled Boxing , 220 ct. I got home and opened them up to find 78 boxing not 220 boxing cards and a bunch of worthless basketball cards in box . Soooo disappointed but was unsure if packed that way or another customer did a switch a roo. Open them up at the desk to verify its what you paid for before leaving. I was completely disappointed...

If you want great merchandise, hospitality, service, honesty and unique, different yet elegant things that will brighten up your home and make wonderful conversation pieces then this is a place for you. Mrs Sherry knows her stuff. She will not lead you asstray. She is very personable without being pushy or nosey. She has the best store for antiques as well as different and unusual merchandise in her store, I highly recommend it as a tourist attraction as well as a hometown attraction. If you live in Pensacola, Fl and havent visited Franklin's antiques then you really do not know the joy of what you are missing. Five stars and four thumbs up to Mrs...