SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced an agreement on Friday with a now-defunct Tacoma-based retail store that allegedly accepted payments for furniture it failed to deliver.
Ferguson's office received multiple complaints from individuals who ordered and paid for merchandise from Gill's Furniture between July 2011 and December 2011. The consumers alleged Gill's misled them about the status of their orders and delivery dates. Gill's also allegedly threatened consumers and refused to issue refunds.
"This action demonstrates to businesses and consumers alike: The attorney general's office will take action when businesses don't play by the rules," Ferguson said.
Under the terms of the agreement, Loren Gill, the former owner of Gill's Furniture, agreed to pay full restitution to consumers who paid for furniture that Gill's allegedly failed to deliver. Loren Gill will pay $44,368.42 to Ferguson's office, which will first be used to pay restitution to consumers with the remainder used to cover attorney costs. Loren Gill is liable for an additional $94,000, which was suspended upon his compliance with the agreement.
Joseph Gill, who owns MFC Furniture, a furniture store in the same location as Gill's, also signed an agreement to follow Washington consumer protection laws. He is also liable for a $25,000 payment that is suspended as long as he complies with the agreement.
Furniture store settles with Wash. AG
