Two Scottsdale small‑business owners allege they were short‑changed by the administrator of the popular “Scottsdale Living” Facebook group, which boasts more than 74,000 members. Rachel Hunter, who runs the junk‑removal and thrift‑store venture Cactus Crew, and Erin Alward, owner of Time Taylored Virtual Assistant, each paid $800 in July 2025 for a six‑month advertising package that was supposed to guarantee weekly posts and a full refund if the results were unsatisfactory, according to a report by Hoodline citing Arizona’s Family.
Hunter says the agreement promised her exclusive junk‑removal posting rights and placement among only ten advertisers. She later observed other junk‑removal services appearing in the group, contradicting the exclusivity claim. Alward contends that several of her posts were never approved, while John Doering – the group’s administrator – maintains that all of her posts were approved and published, a point the report does not resolve.
Both owners report repeated attempts to obtain refunds. Hunter says she filed police reports, lodged complaints with federal agencies, and sent a certified letter in April that went unanswered. After posting critical TikTok videos, Doering filed a self‑represented libel suit against her. Alward says she asked for a refund multiple times, received a Messenger promise from Doering – “I’ll get this return processed” – and never saw follow‑up. She also tried to pursue small‑claims court, but a certified‑mail notice to Doering was returned undelivered.
Doering describes the dispute as a business disagreement, stating he would repay Hunter if she stopped public statements about him and denying any scam intent. He attributes his recent difficulties to a personal separation, real‑estate partnerships and a bankruptcy, and notes that he created Scottsdale Living nearly a decade ago to connect the community.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office confirmed it received a consumer‑fraud complaint related to Doering’s advertising scheme and has referred the matter to another agency for further investigation. The AG’s office also advised potential victims to report the issue to local law enforcement, though Doering says the office has not contacted him directly.
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 44‑1522) defines deception, false promises, misrepresentation and intentional concealment in the sale or advertisement of goods or services as unlawful practices, but the report notes no legal determination has been made regarding the alleged conduct. As of the article’s publication, neither Hunter nor Alward had been repaid.
What’s next: The referred agency’s investigation, if any, could result in formal action against Doering. Both business owners say they remain out $800 each and may continue pursuing civil remedies, including small‑claims court, while Scottsdale residents watch closely for any outcome that could affect future local advertising arrangements.
Sources: hoodline.com
