Washington AG Files Suit Against Furniture Retailer

August 30, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 31, 2012

After receiving a flood of complaints against Gill's Furniture in Tacoma, Wash., the state's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the brothers that own the store.

The consumer protection division of the attorney general's office alleges that Loren Gill and Joeseph Gill have been engaged in illegal business practices during the sale of home furnishings at the store.

The office has received a number of consumer complaints from people who ordered and paid for merchandise but never received their orders. Most of the orders were placed between July 2011 and December 2011.

According to a press release "consumers were continuously misled about the status of their orders and delivery dates; when their furniture never arrived, they were refused refunds. Many consumers also claim their inquiries with the brothers were met with belligerence, and some have even reported being threatened by the Gills."

 "The Gill brothers took thousands of dollars from customers, often delivering nothing but the runaround to those who asked what happened to their money and their furniture," said Rob McKenna, attorney general. "We've asked the court to impose serious penalties, and provide customer refunds, for these violations of the Consumer Protection Act."

 According to the lawsuit, Loren Gill owned LCG Corporation, doing business in Tacoma as Gill's Furniture, and employed his brother Joeseph Gill as a commissioned salesperson. Business records indicate LCG Corporation ceased operating on or around Dec. 31, 2011. MFC Furniture, owned by Joeseph Gill, now operates at the same location.

The lawsuit seeks to permanently stop the defendants from engaging in illegal activities, as well as restitution for consumers, civil penalties of $2,000 per violation and attorneys fees.