Madigan
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit on Thursday against a central Illinois company for selling consumers aftermarket auto parts online that were allegedly damaged, incorrect or never shipped.
Madigan filed the lawsuit in Macon County Circuit Court against Pershing Auto Body Parts and co-owners Matthew W. Sliney and Kevin W. Sliney of Warrensburg.
"Anyone can set up shop on the Internet," Madigan said. "That's why it's so important to ensure you're working with a reputable company. Check to see if any complaints have been filed against the company with my office's Consumer Fraud Bureau or the Better Business Bureau before making any significant purchasing decisions."
Pershing Auto Body allegedly sold car parts on third-party bidding sites, such as eBay, to consumers for prices ranging from $50 to $1,000. Madigan's lawsuit alleges that consumers who received broken or incorrect parts never received refunds. The lawsuit alleges that some consumers never received their orders at all.
Nearly 40 consumers nationwide filed complaints against Pershing Auto Body with Madigan's office. The Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois received 92 complaints against the company. Consumers reported losses of over $14,000.
The lawsuit seeks to ban the defendants from the business of selling auto parts online. The suit also seeks to obtain restitution for affected consumers, impose civil penalties on the defendants and to cancel pending consumer contracts.