(HorizonPost.com) – Legal troubles are brewing for the proprietors of Sara’s Antiques, a well-known establishment on Lexington Ave and E. 73rd St. on the Upper East Side. Six lawsuits have been filed against Vahid Peter Khorshad and his wife, Sayeh Sassouni Khorshad, the owners of the antique store, with allegations of fraudulent dealings and mishandling of precious heirlooms.
Dissatisfied customers have voiced their grievances online, reviewing the store negatively on Yelp and even forming a digital group dedicated to airing their frustrations. The Khorshads are accused in these lawsuits of selling valuable antiques but pocketing the profits, returning unique items in a damaged state, or, in some cases, misplacing them altogether.
One of the plaintiffs, Kimberly Taylor, planned to sell various items, including art, jewelry, home décor, and furniture, previously valued at $650,000. Among her collection were three bracelets, with a combined worth of $47,000. However, Taylor alleges that her bracelets are missing, and another $100,000 worth of her possessions have also vanished.
Her attorney, William Brewer, stated that while some of her items were returned, many were either lost or damaged, resulting in a property loss of $150,000. However, Sara’s Antiques’ attorney, Oscar Michelen, denies these fraud allegations.
Another dissatisfied customer, Daniel Roubeni, a producer from Long Island, claims to be owed money for selling a Louis XIV table made on the mid-1800s. While he has not filed a lawsuit, he alleges that the table was sold for $20,000 but has not received any payment. Michelen attributes this to a financial shortfall caused by the pandemic.
In a separate lawsuit, Nancy Latin-Ryan alleges that she consigned goods worth $420,000 and loaned $200,000 to Sara’s Antiques. She claims to have sustained damages amounting to $620,000. Yet again, Michelen defends the Khorshads, stating Latin-Ryan refuses to take her goods back and demands more than she is owed.
An anonymous local woman alleges her antiques, valued at roughly $42,000, were sold for a mere $7,500. She has sought help from the local authorities and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. In response, Michelen denies any fraudulent activity.
Janet Rodgers, a retired writer, also claims that she was offered less than what she thought her antiques were worth. She consigned a set of century-old silver chargers and was offered $6,000. Rodgers still waits for a promised second payment after receiving an initial $5,000.
In a world where trust holds great value, these allegations against Sara’s Antiques have not only resulted in legal entanglement but also potential damage to their reputation. The narrative of these disgruntled customers highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in the antiques industry, which is built on the exchange of precious and often irreplaceable items.
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