HOUSTON – Longtime Houston company, Forshey Piano has closed its doors amid financial struggles; but not all of the pianos inside the business belong to the company.
One Houston woman called consumer expert Amy Davis because she couldn't reach anyone at Forshey to find out if it sold the piano she had on consignment there.
"It was an upright, black, ebony... beautiful," said Bobra McAdams, as she described the piano she left with Forshey in October.
She decided to sell it when she moved into a smaller apartment community for seniors last year. The consignment contract she signed with Forshey states Forshey would pay McAdams $1800 without delay as soon as the sale was completed. McAdams got concerned earlier this year when she noticed Forshey Piano was closed. Even though a sign out front advertises the building for sale, there are still a handful of pianos inside. We counted six that we could see from the front windows, but there could be more in the back.
"I don't know where the piano is," said McAdams.
A League City man in a similar situation filed a complaint with the Houston Better Business Bureau; and a Houston attorney told us Forshey owes her $30,000 from the sale of her 7-foot concert grand piano. But owner Fred Forshey isn't returning phone calls.
"I've called several times," McAdams said. "I've had an answering service to say that they'll get back with me... and that's been a month."
When no one returned our calls or emails, Davis stopped by Forshey's League City home. No one came to the door, so she left a note asking for answers and McAdams money or her piano returned. Within 24 hours, Forshey delivered an $1800 check to McAdams. It's money she feels fortunate to have recovered.
"There are other members sitting in the same place as I am looking for their pianos," she explained.
If Forshey owes you money or has your piano, you may have to send a demand letter to the owner letting him know you plan to sue if he does not return your property or your money. Those seem to be the only communications that elicit a response. One woman who had her concert grand piano on consignment there received a promissory note for $30,000. She says Forshey told her he can pay up when that building sells.