She thought she paid $91. Contract says 48 hour right of refusal, but I didn't catch the sale on her bank account until 9 days later. Vacuum company refuses to take it back! What can I do?
Contact the bank or credit card company and tell them what happened. Tell them they are NOT to release the funds - you are not going to pay it. If it has already been taken out of the account, then contact the Better Business Bureau and also an attorney. There may also be a state Attorney General who might be able to help you. Another possibility is to contact your state senator and assemblyman as often they can help. Or you might have to get an attorney to sue them.
I have something to add. Find out who/where the top person, i.e. CEO of the company is located. Send a very detailed letter with all facts and figures. Threaten to sue the CEO personally and also threaten to sue the company as a CLASS ACTION SUIT. Tell them if they did this in this instance, they most likely have done so to other people. Also speak with an attorney. Many years ago when I first became a Power of Attorney, my client was badly wronged and I fought and fought to no avail - until I wrote a registered letter to CEO that ONLY he could sign as having received - no one could open the letter but him that way and intercept it. Well, I won, got $l00,000 back and won a lot more before I closed the case. It takes work, time and dedication but rest assured, the little guys CAN WIN.....I DID!
Something similar happened to my mother with a home security company. We called the company and did not get refunded. I contacted my mother's charge card company and explained the situation. They were great and immediately stopped payment. Additionally, my brother wrote our state's Attorney General with the details of situation, including my mother's dementia diagnosis. The Attorney General's office investigated and sent a letter to the company and to us. We were amazed. Good luck.
Ah, Consumer Law. Check out the revised code in your state and see what it has to say and if there is something about taking advantage of someone's mental capacity...is the memory issue obvious? That's one idea. The other is to let them know you'll be contacting the local consumer radio at your local TV station to investigate...
You should attempt to work with the financial institution that the purchase was made from, i.e. credit card or debit card issued via that bank. They may work with you, especially if you've been a long-time client. This is elder abuse and companies target elders.
Most communities have a consumer advocate as part of the local news station. Call them. Often, a company will do the right thing, rather than getting a bunch of bad press.
Call Ombudsman's office for your area. Call the state representative for your area. Call a news station that has an investigative reporter. They will get you results.
It looks like they go by the name of aerus electrolux now. Web site states only sold by authorized stores and independent sales people. Another company to look out for is kirby, just the phone calls soliciting a demonstration are high pressure. Took a threat of contacting attorney general for them to stop calling daily. Sorry to hear your cousin was taken by the repairman.
Serenamon: Even though 9 days have transpired, see if you can apply a stop payment on that check! Explain the entire situation to the bank that the person writing the check is an elder (and shouldn't be in control of any more check writing, btw) and they may be more inclined to help you through this mess.
Apparently they understand what a bad review from the BBB is able to do to there ability to do business. I am happy that your aunt is getting her money back.
Can they fix the vacuum that was sold with a promise of lifetime usage?
Really pleased to hear that your cousin will be getting her money back - please could you just tell me what BBB is, still catching up on US acronyms :)
Serenamcn, I hope that your cousin finds the best place for her. I know a facility can seem so frightening, but they can be such a blessing. Encourage her to get involved in her new community and she will adapt, even if she doesn't want to go, if it is what she needs she will eventually get over her mad. Making her room comfortable for her and joining her in activities to start the ball rolling is helpful as are cupcakes😀
Also put up a post on the Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ElectroluxUS/
Can they fix the vacuum that was sold with a promise of lifetime usage?