N.Y. Attorney General Says Fortunoff Will Honor Pre-Paid Orders
March 12, 2009
New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday that the Uniondale, N.Y.-based jewelry and furniture chain Fortunoff, which filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating, will fulfill consumers' pre-paid orders of in-stock furniture.
An release from Cuomo's office said that as of March 5, the company canceled delivery of such purchases, and prepared to have such furniture included in liquidation sales. Cuomo stepped in to ensure that the company's actions were immediately reversed. The Attorney General had intervened last month to make sure that consumers' Fortunoff gift cards would be honored through March 8, 2009.
Cuomo's office had received numerous complaints from consumers who paid thousands of dollars for furniture and were told that, although the furniture was in stock, it would not be delivered, and no refunds would be provided. He urged all consumers who paid in full for furniture that has not been delivered to contact Fortunoff immediately to request delivery of any in-stock items.
"In these difficult economic times, many stores are unfortunately facing challenges, but so are individuals," Cuomo said in the release. "It is crucial that companies that are facing bankruptcy continue to meet their obligations to consumers to the fullest extent possible."
While fully-paid orders of in-stock furniture will be fulfilled, partially-paid orders and fully-paid orders of furniture that is not in stock do not qualify for delivery under the bankruptcy court proceedings. The Attorney General suggested that consumers who do not qualify for delivery and used a credit card to purchase the undelivered furniture should dispute the charges with their credit card companies. Consumers should dispute these charges as soon as possible in order to meet deadlines for disputing charges.
An release from Cuomo's office said that as of March 5, the company canceled delivery of such purchases, and prepared to have such furniture included in liquidation sales. Cuomo stepped in to ensure that the company's actions were immediately reversed. The Attorney General had intervened last month to make sure that consumers' Fortunoff gift cards would be honored through March 8, 2009.
Cuomo's office had received numerous complaints from consumers who paid thousands of dollars for furniture and were told that, although the furniture was in stock, it would not be delivered, and no refunds would be provided. He urged all consumers who paid in full for furniture that has not been delivered to contact Fortunoff immediately to request delivery of any in-stock items.
"In these difficult economic times, many stores are unfortunately facing challenges, but so are individuals," Cuomo said in the release. "It is crucial that companies that are facing bankruptcy continue to meet their obligations to consumers to the fullest extent possible."
While fully-paid orders of in-stock furniture will be fulfilled, partially-paid orders and fully-paid orders of furniture that is not in stock do not qualify for delivery under the bankruptcy court proceedings. The Attorney General suggested that consumers who do not qualify for delivery and used a credit card to purchase the undelivered furniture should dispute the charges with their credit card companies. Consumers should dispute these charges as soon as possible in order to meet deadlines for disputing charges.
