PSA: Furniture shopping (vent long)

*MrsK*

Hey all, I posted about this on the MM board a week or so ago, but since it happened locally, I thought I would let you guys all know.....

DH and I tried to buy some furniture the last week of August at a large Orlando furniture store (PM me for the name). We applied jointly for credit (0% financing). To do this, we both had to fill out a credit application and let them make copies of both of our driver's licenses. We were told right away that we were denied and our sales girl told us that whichever of us has better credit to apply separately (me). I filled out ANOTHER application and gave this to her. She ran my credit again and said I was DENIED. She stated this happens alot but after she calls the finance company with our info she usually gets it approved. This was on a Sunday, so she said she would call them the next day. She went ahead and had us fill out a special order form for the loveseat, so when she got us approved the next day we would not need to come in again. If she could not get us approved, she would not order the furniture.

Well, the next day, she called DH and told him that there is no way we could be approved. After DH talked to me about it that afternoon, we tried to cancel our order but she told us we could not, it was too late. Well, about 2 weeks later, we got a credit card from this furniture company for $200 more than the amount we were trying to purchase. I was confused so I called the number on the back of the card for the finance company and was told we were actually INSTANTLY approved.

I called the furniture store basically I was like WTF? (but in a nice way, still at this point). I was told the girl who helped us had been fired, and they had no record of us applying for credit!!!!! They lost our credit applications (BOTH of them) and our copies of our driver's licenses. So now, we have SSN's DOB's addresses, employment info, mother's maiden name, all that good stuff floating around somewhere and the person who was last known to have it has been fired. That made me feel real good.

Then it gets better. We were told we MUST (as in we cannot have the furniture if we do not do this) MUST come in, in person, fill out ANOTHER app and let them make another copy of our driver's license. I told them I am not doing this, I do not feel comfortable with this or their business practices. If they need this info, I would rather just cancel the order and be done with it, take my business somewhere else.

I was told they WILL NOT (not CAN NOT) cancel my order. I must come in and fill out the paperwork or I will forfeit the furniture AND my $515 deposit (paid on American Express). We have gone all the way up the chain of command... tonight we are emailing the VP and President of the company and the Better Business Bureau as a last resort.

I spoke with a woman on Saturday who claims she is as high up as the customers are allowed to speak with (we did confirm this whole issue is in her hands) and she LAUGHED at me and told me she will not back down and cancel our order. She told me the ONLY thing she will do for us is offer us a $50 credit to cover the gas to get to the furniture store and our time since she NEEDS us to fill out the paperwork.  I do not know what else to do. I do NOT WANT the $50 credit....or $1000 or free furniture. I just want to cancel the order, monitor my credit and never ever ever do business with them again. I don't understand why they won't do this.

I did dispute the charge on American Express, but the furniture company has indicated they will fight tooth and nail to keep the charges....

Does anyone have any advice? Again, I am not looking for free money or free furniture or anything.... I just want to be able to buy my furniture somewhere where they haven't screwed around with my personal info and treat their customers with respect. That is all I am asking for. Is that too much to ask?

LeelaH

I had an issue with a furniture company a few years ago trying to return something and they were adamant that I couldn't return it.  When I threatened legal action, they gladly took it back.  It sounds like you have already done that, though.

Have you thought about calling one of the news stations that do those types of stories?

I hate furniture chains!  That is why I won't shop in most of them.  I'm sorry that happened to you.

 

rodiggity79

That's a good idea ... Still dispute the charges with AMEX but also write into the Orlando Sentinel to Greg Dawson who does the disputes section. This story might get some press....especially since it's a high profile furniture company.

gdawson@orlandosentinel.com 

 

Diane_BN

Ugh! That's awful.

I don't have one of their cards, but I've heard from others that AmEx almost always sides with the customer, so actually I think disputing the charge will be your best bet.

If you haven't already done so, you might also want to put a temporary lock or a freeze on your credit (not sure if I'm using the right term--if I'm not feel free to correct me). Basically, it involves calling the credit bureaus and having them put this on your credit profile. Once it's on there, any potential creditors will have to call you directly before approving any new lines of credit. After enough time has passed that you feel secure, you can always have the setting taken off, but for the time being it will make it harder for people to steal your identity. I haven't done this myself, but a friend who was robbed recently did this for peace of mind.

Can you PM me the store name, as well? I'd PM you, but I'm not sure how.

Hope everything works out for you!

- Diane

 

Lane&CartersMommy

my credit card info was stolen 1 month before I closed on my house (talk about horrible timing).... well--- the one thing I learned is that you should call the credit bureaus and tell them to put a flag on your credit. They will explain what it all means, but Id definitely do that if you are worried at all.