Stories of alcohol being served regularly and contracts not being signed signaled trouble, as well.

"Anything outside the lines of a firm policy is where the problems lie," said Blakey. "And just because someone seems nice, that's no reason not to get everything in writing."

Blakey is also aware of the lack of infrastructure over at the Red Cat.

Seems they were operating without any computers or industry software programs.

In addition to being next to impossible to catalog inventory without the necessary computer programs, it was the late payments to consignors that were most concerning.

"As far back as the August I was hearing they weren't paying their consignors on time."

Mixing lines of business is another red flag. Consignors shouldn't expect a reputable establishment to take their jeans and dresses along with entertainment centers.

"Now, I certainly don't want to sound harsh. The Halls left a lot of good people in a very bad situation," she said.

"I just want people to be aware of what reputable consignment stores consider good policy, so they can protect themselves in the future."

As for claims of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, initially made by the Halls last week, research of filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in both the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, have netted no such record.

Claims made by the Halls that they were locked out of their store, and that all the consigned items were confiscated by property management, are also untrue according to Lake Highlands Village Shopping Center property manager, Vicky Gillispie.

Dee Blakey's final words ring very true.

"These people were playing fast and loose with the facts and the rules, and now a lot of good people are paying the price."

Repeated emails and phone calls to the Halls continue to go unanswered, as do the questions of many local consignors hoping to recover their belongings.

Recommendations to contact the Texas Attorney General, as well as the City Attorney in Dallas, to file complaints are being heeded by a number of victims.

Contact information for both offices can be found here and here.

Blakey's store, ReSell It! (pictured in the article) is located in the Northlake Shopping Center at Ferndale and Northwest Highway. You can visit them online at http://www.resellitdallas.com.