Two Arizona small-business owners say they each paid $800 for advertising in a Facebook group and did not receive the exposure they expected or a refund. Rachel Hunter, who owns Cactus Crew, a junk removal and thrift store business, and Erin Alward, owner of Time Taylored Virtual Assistant, identify John Doering as the person who took their payments. Their accounts and Doering’s responses were reported by Arizona’s Family.
Two Business Owners, Two Versions of Events
Hunter says she agreed to the advertising arrangement in July 2025 after being told she would be one of only ten businesses advertising in the group and the only junk-removal company with exclusive posting rights. She says she later saw other junk-removal businesses posting there. Alward says some posts in groups operated by Doering were not approved. Doering told Arizona’s Family that all of Alward’s posts had been approved and published; the report did not resolve the disagreement.
Alward says she requested a refund multiple times. Arizona’s Family reported that Doering wrote to her on Facebook Messenger, “I’ll get this return processed.” Alward says no follow-up came despite months of attempts to reach him. She tried to take him to small claims court but gave up after certified mail to him was returned undelivered.
Certified Letters, Complaints, and a Libel Lawsuit
Hunter says she contacted police, filed complaints with federal agencies and sent Doering a certified letter in April that went unanswered. After she posted TikTok videos criticizing him, Doering sued her for libel. Arizona’s Family reported that court documents show Doering is representing himself in the case…