Ten hears ago, I used them for an estate sale and items were practically given away that were like new! I removed my fine bone, Villeroy and Boch China, which had prices $1 per plate and $5 for a covered casserole dish. I watched Mackenzie Childs black checkered items selling for pennies. Do not hire these thieves. read more

This company was in Northbrook today and they are terrible. When I first got in I asked a price of an item, and a tall woman who worked there was like I've never seen that item... I don't know how you missed it I mean it was right in the middle of the kitchen table. Then when they did not know a price they would look things up on eBay because they were too lazy to do their homework during the week. This company pretty much left the house in the same condition that the homeowners did. I just feel bad for the homeowners cuz they got a dollar general estate sale company running their sale. read more

I went to one of their sales on a Saturday in the western suburbs and was struck by several things: -- prices were amazingly overpriced. A new blouse from Marshall's (Marshall's, mind you, not Lord and Taylor) was repriced higher. Given these folks have a consignment store, it seemed as if they purposely priced high so they wouldn't sell at the estate sale, and they could get a possible consignment at their store instead. Hmmm. -- after I paid for my item, the employee who was taking payment, took the article of clothing I had just purchased, tried it on and started to model it. I had to take it from her so I could leave. I was shocked at what i took to be deeply unprofessional behavior. read more

I am continuing my review of Melee. The owner posted a response to my initial post. Removing all her unimportant and irrelevant verbiage it is clear that she and they have NEVER ANSWERED MY QUESTION AS TO WHERE 70 PIECES OF MY CLOTHING ARE. I called both of the Morning Star Mission Thrift Shops and neither can recall ever receiving my items. I do believe they must have been sent to their onsite warehouse for sale. Again, the items for the most part are of higher quality and branding than those they put on their online sales site. The reason I believe is that they wanted to sell in their onsite store and reap all the profit for themselves. Again, they make a lot of comments about this whole fiasco but NEVER ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF WHERE MY 70 PIECES OF CLOTHING ARE. They are deceitful crooks and totally misrepresent themselves. Do not ever use them. read more

My first shopping experience with this company was so horrible I haven't been back since. No matter how tempting a sale may look... I stay away. The staff was so unbelievably rude. It costs $0 to be friendly! read more

I have not received payment for any items for a year and a half. They owe me $900, and won't return my calls or emails.

Have been to their estate sales a few times and found most things over-priced. Today went to one that had a used Ninja Professional 1000 for sale. There was no price on it, so I asked and was told it was $100.00. I said, "$100. for a blender?" The salesperson told me to "look at the blades, those sell for $200.00 new". As if the blades prove it was so much more than a blender. Really? It was a Ninja NJ600, model number is right on the bottom. It's an older model 1000 watt blender. They sell NEW for $70-$100.00. Maybe they need to research what they are selling before randomly assigning it powers it doesn't have and pricing it as if its latest 1500 watt model with Auto IQ and an extra blender cup. I've also been to their warehouse a couple times. The room with artwork in it is so packed with item after item stacked against each other that it is impossible to even look at the items beyond the first couple. The glassware/dining/kitchen area is everything jumbled together and stacked on top of other items, including some damaged items, Those are overpriced as well which explains why it is so packed. No one is buying! I think I'll be giving up on Shop Melee. read more

I have spent many years enjoying estate sales and I have not ever run into the awful customer service. One person was running around yelling if anyone touches the light fixtures, I will cut their hands off. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In addition, what's up with the 3% fee for using your credit card. How dare this company impose such a fee when the items are priced to cover their costs. This is the second sale I went and on both occasions, 95% of the staff should absolutely not be in this business. I have already passed the word to my estate friends not to even think about going to any of her sales. I certainly won't go to subject myself to this awful attitude. There are so many great companies out there why bother with the worst. read more

Ugh! AVOID! Not friendly! Pricing even on last day is high! Went to their artist sale today. What a joke! PILES of loose art in boxes. Pick one out and the guy says :OOH, that's gonna be an expensive one!" 125?? Are ya nuts. One day sale on a Wednesday. You need to clear the house because it's sold and that's what you do? I wouldn't hire you either! I'll go back when the son has his garage sale...Thought I would try you again as I went to the one of your sales years ago and it was the same way..nothing's changed. read more

I've experienced racial or just plain rude and unfair treatment today in Hinsdale! I was interested in buying a Sony Tv and I asked the size and the lady got her measuring tape and measured the tv and as I was looking for the input and had the remote to view the menu. The lady came back and put a blue tape said sold to someone that came after me! I told them hey I was first they ignored me and kept ringing up the other person( white)! So I walked about to count to ten to calm down and came back in and told her that wasn't right! She said sorry and ignored me again and kept talking to other person! What the hell! I'm your regular buyer! Never again! read more

Called and asked if an item I had seen previously was still there. I was told that they had checked and that, it indeed was still there and they would hold it for me until I arrived. Drove 35 minutes to the sale and spoke to one of the women and told her that i had arrived and was looking for my held item. She told me that just after she had told me they would hold it, someone else had bought the item. I received no calls about it being already sold. Waste of gas and time. read more

Worked with their salesperson. Very unprofessional and rude. Would NOT recommend to anyone. Best to find another company that will provide professional service with a positive attitude. read more

High over priced items. Offered me .50 off of my total price? Really? When I tried to bargain as others before me did and they would not I asked why they would not even lower my items $5 as they did for other people....I was told I was not spending enough money. $60 may not seem like a lot to these rude fools. I knew I should have never gone to another one of their sales....my very last one. STAY AWAY! Oh and they charge you an extra % if you try to use a credit or debit card!! read more

I used Shop MeLee for my estate sale. I was asked to leave during my sale and when I returned on Saturday afternoon almost nothing was sold. My house looked exactly the same. I think I sold two leather chairs and a patio set and a bunch of small items. My whole house was still full of couches, art work, dressers, beds, etc. I was devastated, sad and angry. When I asked if they could consign some of what I had left they said no. On top of that, my personal bathroom had been ransacked by a customer. This was a terrible experience and I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. read more

Shop Melee? I wouldn't. They were featured on Ch 7 and I'm thinking it went to their head. What they reviewed in the news piece was common sense, a given, so, no expert advice. Donna was very arrogant in answering questions. Their clients possess the commodity, not them. I would treat them with kindness and respect! read more

I wanted to Yelp about my very positive experience with Shop Melee. I had the staff come into my home for my estate sale and were very respectful and treated it as if it were their own. Everything was priced very fairly. If items were demanding more in the Ebay marketplace they consigned them and sold them online instead of getting a lower price for them at the estate sale. Many services don't offer that option because they want to maximize the most return on items worth. I should mention that Suzy was great. She was friendly and very knowledgeable about home goods and their market value. She made me feel very comfortable and was very upfront and honest. She and the rest of the staff were very firm yet respectful to customers' offers and expectations. I will refer them anytime I hear someone express an interest in needing estate sale services! read more

this is my favorite ebay store . kim and.the staff are wonderful and gave sold lots if both my husbands and myclothing and effects. they do a nice job listing as well as running estate sales. thank you all. caroline and ron leban read more

Bunch of wealthy Hinsdale wives with nothing better to do with their time than try to act like they are antique/fine furnishing experts. I try to purposely avoid their sales, but every once in a while an item at one of their sales catches my eye so I have no choice but to attend. They do not know how to interact with or treat customers, unless it is their other snobby friends just taking up space at these sales. Witnessed an innocent foreign guy trying to buy an item with a credit card and he did not understand that the card wasn't going through, well the sales lady literally put the guy in tears by speaking down to him and just walking away in a huff. I asked one of the employees that if I bought a stereo receiver (no speakers to hook up to) if it did not work when I get home, could I bring it back? The employee boldly said no returns and that was purchased at my own risk. I could go on and on with this company, but hopefully you get the idea to avoid them if you can. read more

We seek out Shop Melee when we go to estate sales. Fair prices on most things. They will give deals if they know you buy a lot from them. Their are 2 gentlemen (I think they're brothers?) that work at some sales that do not like to give good deals but just avoid them. If they're there I usually do not act interested while they're around and then just ask someone else for help. They also think they know more than everyone else. Everyone else that works there seems very kind and fair though. Sometimes they can give fair deals, sometimes they can't. read more

This was the first time we ever had an estate sale. Suzy and her team were very customer focused and easy to work with. They were able to inventory, price and hold the estate sale in a very short time and sold approx. 95% of the items (from furniture to linens). I highly recommend Shop Melee. Steve and Sandra read more

Shop Melee is a FRAUD! They take your items in on consignment, does NOT give you an inventory of what YOU brought in, may sell a few items on eBay, and some items end up in their "Estate Sale" storage rooms, one is attached to the office, the other is a bit further down a few buildings. This is my story...and I'm sure many people's stories! First of all, Shop Melee ADVERTISES on eBay that they will take your consignments. They do alright...however, YOU NEVER GET PAID! They will put some things in estate, and some on eBay. They deny ever receiving the items you brought in, give you the runaround, state that they sent emails regarding the status of your items but never do, When I asked where my items were, they claimed that most of them were in their "Estate Sale Warehouse". HA! I asked them how they keep tract of where they place a consignor's items, and they stated REPEATEDLY that "they know" what is in both Estate Warehouses! I asked them how on earth they could possibly keep tract of all of the thousands of items from people that are consigned. I was told...."oh, we know". Huh? Well, obviously it is impossible to know who brought what in! with NO records! In fact, they sold a group of 6 or 8 glass Coca Cola glasses on line, then claimed they weren't MINE! I said, really? Well, where are mine? I was told they were in their "Estate" section. I went through BOTH warehouses for "Estate Sales", and did not find ANY of the items I brought in, however, I did see a rack of my artist-made by me earrings. This was MY rack, There were other people's jewelry on MY rack, and there were only about 3 pairs left out of 40! And even those were missing mates, lying on the table next to the display, etc. It took me about 2 months to get them to pay me for the items I BROUGHT IN! They lie, they cheat, and they steal your money. My girlfriend brought in FIVE boxes of high-quality items. NEVER heard from them again.It wan't until I contacted them did they send a check to her for like 50.00. In addition, they will reduce the heck out of YOUR items on eBay. They THEN take 10.00 off that low price for shipping! So, a 50.00 item will be reduced to 15.00, They take their cut, take 10.00 off for shipping, and what you get is like 1.50! In addition, they will list cheap crap online at a very high price! They do NOT know what they are doing! Or...maybe they do. This is how they make huge profits at YOUR expense! They count on people NOT inquiring about the items they consigned!!!!! This business should be SHUT DOWN! Even the name "Shop MELEE" means disaster, mixed up, totally amok. What a fitting name! DO NOT consign with this group! They will steal your items! They make ALL their money on the items YOU bring in, and you get NOTHING! IF anyone would like to discuss this fraudulent business, feel free to email me at maylou4@comcast.net. Thanks, Mary Lou read more

They ruin the estate sale experience because they have 20-30 women crawling around their sales they run, all checking ebay on their phones to price everything! So everything IS over-priced like they're in an antique store! Hey, Melee, if you want to use ebay to price the crap, then sell it on ebay yourselves and ship it yourselves!! You can't walk thru the sale without bumping into one of the haus-fraus that run this outfit, all west-suburban moms in their walgreen's makeup. read more

I will never attend another SHOP MELEE estate sale... Let me preface this by saying that I do not need to buy second-hand goods; I attend estate sales for that one-of-a-kind find and unique items, as well as power tools for my husband. I recognize that estate sales are oftentimes the result of people in life transitions such as divorce, death or moving into an elder care facility. They need to downsize or completely divest themselves of their possessions. I realize I am a stranger in someone else's home and need to be respectful of the property and rules set forth by the estate sale company. In an estate sale, the usual principles of economics do not apply: Sellers are motivated to clear their homes in a 2- to 4-day window, and the buyer pool is relatively small, giving the advantage to the buyer. In the larger economy, at any given time, there is generally a set value or price range on an item, within a competitive environment. That is not the case with second-hand goods. With the exception of valuable antiques and collectibles - which should be sold online or at specific venues to obtain top dollar - the value of used items is worth what a buyer will give for it. This is why there is negotiation at these sales: The seller sets starting values and buyers test those limits. I'm certain that over the course of a day, negotiations can be wearing for the estate sale staff and sometimes tempers flair. For that reason, I cut a lot of slack if someone is short with me or frazzled. (I actually have never negotiated a price as I believe that a lot of work goes into these sales and homeowners and estate sale companies need to realize financial benefit from the process. If I feel a price is fair, I pay it.) That being said, Suzy Marcus, who is the director of estate sales for SHOP MELEE, has humiliated me for the last time. I kicked myself after the third time for subjecting myself to her eye rolling, sarcastic tone and demeaning sneers. The second time, for example, I was coming down the stairs and saw a small sign posted high on the wall requesting shoes be removed. I apologized for missing the sign as I had not removed my shoes not realizing I should have. She rolled her eyes and turned away while I was still speaking. Another time, she threw my credit card onto the table in front of me, not responding verbally when I thanked her for the transaction. While these seem like small things, they leave a nasty feeling about interacting with these people. Let me say, I am not a princess. I do not expect to be treated like royalty. I do expect that when I treat others with high regard, to receive the same courtesy. I'm certain she is a good business person. There are usually a number of SHOP MELEE sales every weekend. I believe their model is to serve their clients, who are the homeowners/families. However, she seems to forget that nothing happens without those of us forking over our greenbacks for someone else's used goods. (I also want to mention that I have never experienced any of the other SHOP MELEE sales people as rude in any way.) Suzy needs to use her talents behind the scenes if she is not able to tolerate buyers' behavior. Unhappy people need to change their own circumstances and not take it out on others. I, for one, pass by the SHOP MELEE sales when scanning for the ones I want to attend on a given weekend. Three times is way too many affronts to tolerate from one company. read more

I have had great experiences at their warehouse full of leftovers from estate sales but the owner/partner, Suzy, is horrible to deal with. She's rude and has poor people skills. Her staff is super friendly but I don't know how they could work for her. I'd quit unless that's her schtick to earn more money. Beautiful stuff but over priced. read more

Went to another overpriced Melee sale. It will be the last time. Bought a soap dispenser. Opened it prior to purchase as it was metal and I wanted to be sure it wasn't rusted (as I have seen in the past). Got it home and the pump didn't work. Tried to replace the pump with one from Bed Bath and Beyond and it didn't fit the threads. The dispenser was only $4 so when I went to return it, it was the principle of the thing. I was told to look at the sign which of course said all sales final. I said I was grateful I hadn't bought electronics. I was told it was up to me to check anything I was buying. Really!!! They never asked what I paid and made no effort to make this right and of course the people I was talking to said that they just worked there and were sorry (sorry was a nice touch and seemed sincere, but the result was the same) there was nothing they could do. All this over a $4 refund. Obviously the owner knew it didn't work and should have thrown it out. Moral of the story Melee will sell anything. If you see the Melee sign, keep driving. read more

Not a fan of their operation. Prices are too high so items don't sell. Most of the staff is rude. They are not very attentive to who has paid and who has not. Too many ways to walk in and out of a residence without paying. I would not use them to run my estate sale. read more

I've gone to several estate sales run by Shop Melee, and am disappointed to say that I have found a good number (but not all) of the women who run them to be a little unfriendly. As a local area resident, I was excited to support a local business run by local women. However, it often seems like they don't have a genuine interest in negotiating, accepting bids or dealing with buyers' questions, and can sometimes come across as rude/impatient. Their items also tend to be fairly overpriced at the outset of their sales...I've seen things priced for more than what I paid for the same new items, at say Home Goods, years ago. That said, and to be fair to the friendly and dedicated workers there, you can find some quality, well-organized treasures at their sales. Their website is also helpful for previewing items before you head out to estate sale locations. If you can get past the the on-site customer service and painfully negotiate your way down, it may be win for you! read more

In speaking with Kim (co owner) of this company, I sense that I was given the runaround!!!! I sent my son to purchase a one of a kind item from an estate that was on this past Thursday at 9:00, (he was one of the first in line) . I had to do a wire transfer to him because I was at work. So he went specifically for this item, he asked if he could put a deposit down on the item until he could get the transfer which was available within the hour. He was told that he "could not" put a deposit down on item. He wasn't asking to hold just for fun sake, he actually had cash to hold. He then went to get transfer to come back and item was gone. Needless to say I was not PLEASED with the way he was treated. I spoke with Kim just a few minutes ago and she was not sure why that happened so she put me in hold to inquire with her co owner...once she came back to phone, she said that " her partner said that we have had bad instances that people don't come back for things and they have to give the money back when people hold things in this manner" uummm, and that they decided 8 months ago that on the FIRST DAY OF SALE " they will not hold or take deposit on things" well now, when I first spoke with her on phone she seemed unknowingly puzzled that they wouldn't take deposit. Now excuse me if I seem a little slow but if you are the CO OWNER of this company and its been a " policy" not to do this, for 8 months, wouldn't you have told me that when I first called you....IJS !!!!!! Thank you but no thank you for shopping with your company again Ms. CO OWNER!!!!! P.s mighty funny how he came back with the money (165.00) and item was gone....shady!!!! read more

I agree with the other reviews that this is a company to be avoided. We have been to several of their sales and they were extremely rude each time. There are so many pleasant estate sale firms out there with friendly employees! There is absolutely no reason to attend any of their sales. read more

The most UNFRIENDLY staff ever. I have been to many other sales where the staff were friendly and welcoming. Not so with this group! I do not shop at any of Melee's sales due to their lack of respect for customers. read more

Estate Sale today in Clarendon Hills-Linda was extremely rude!! Talking about my husband derogatorily to me. Wow you might want to make sure you know who you are talking to especially when speaking bad about someone. Then there is Kathy who said she would rather a certain customer have some little chairs than me because my husband who picked them up for me already got enough stuff today, again she said something about my husband right In front of me. Kathy also informs everyone that it's 75% off then when you get in the back they try to shake you down for more. I spent well over $300 there today I hope he customers who were worthy of the little wooden chairs spent that much. It will be the last dime I ever spend at one of their sales read more

My experience in July of 2016 with Shop Melee was completely delightful. First, I was encouraged by Chris's rapid response to my emailed question. Many estate sale companies never respond at all; others do so only at their convenience. Then, when I had decided I definitely wanted to go to the sale, Chris (who was running this particular sale) was endlessly patient and helpful in working with me. I wanted to purchase a particular and rather expensive (for me) item, which I realized was quite fairly priced. Chris contacted the owner of the home (his client) to make sure I could come back and pick it up at a time that would work for both of us. I later purchased another item, which Chris was very flexible in discounting due to his clear desire to be fair to both his client and to me. He simply couldn't have been more trustworthy, more helpful, or easier to work with. I am thrilled with my purchases, believe I got great deals, and know I was not misled. He even had suggestions about how I might find particular items at future estate sales run by Shop Melee that I want but that were not available at this particular sale. I will be going to many Shop Melee estate sales in the future due to my totally positive experiences with Chris. read more

I attended a Shop Melee estate sale in Hinsdale today, and one of their male employees, a so called "expert in women's fashion", proceeded to rip out of my hands a pile of items I was a carrying and told me in a haughty and arrogant tone that these were not for sale to customers. When I informed him that I am a serious past customer, he proceeded to quote me ridiculously high prices so I would not purchase them. He later admitted that these were to be sold on their Ebay store when "we can make so much more money". When I called him out on his practice, and extremely rude behavior he told me that I am on private property and that I should leave! He even threatened to call the Police on me! These people are horrible and vile money grubbers. Quite simply, they do not care abut their customers at all. I will never give these dishonest, and rude money grubbers another penny. Do not recommend at all! read more