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?
I'm adding on to the suggestion of sending a notarized, certified, return-receipt-requested letter. Besides providing a paper trail, doing this gives this business notice that you are very serious. In the letter, lay out the dates of the sale and all contacts with the business since then. This documentation can be used as you progress.
TV stations can intervene in these situations. I've seen our guys here in Cleveland get results with these kinds of people. Having a known reporter show up at your store asking questions and knowing that's going to show up on TV in front of thousands -- or potentially millions, in a large enough market -- can get even the hardest jerk to back down.
I see you're in Indianapolis. Here are some email addresses/websites for your TV stations and newspaper:
My mother bought a 9,000 pd. Kirby, under similar circumstances. She was 88 at the time. Those things would give anyone a hernia.....let alone a frail 114 pd. senior. She was completely re-imbursed after the 3 day waiver. Good luck and don't back down!!
Contact the Consumer Affair agency in your state. It may take them a while (they are pitifully understaffed) but they usually can recover the funds for you.
Selling this to ANY elder is right at the base of it consumer fraud, and there are laws against fraud on elders. This would be worth checking in with a phone call to Elder Law Attorney to see where to report this. Then tell the dealership that you are contacting Electrolux and do so. Call the news agencies in your area. Tell the dealership that you will see to it that this story is widely distributed if you have to show up with a posterboard in front of their place every weekend for a year. Tell them that they are now your "life mission" to tell the world who they sold a 1,000.00 vacuum to. Make them very afraid. Put it on the phone and put it in writing and start at once. Tell them you will take them to small claims court for elder fraud and elder abuse and deceptive sales fraud. Tell them you will make them FAMOUS. Enlist people, if you have friends, in calling the dealership daily.
You've explained that she's old and confused and the vacuum hasn't been used, IMO anyone with an ounce of integrity would have no problem taking it back. If this a** h*** wants to play hard ball then you are justified in doing the same. Do you have a community facebook page? You don't need to say anything slanderous, the facts speak for themselves.
Just because they have a 48 hour return policy on their contract,, does not mean it is legal. Check your state consumer protection laws. Here in BC you have 10 days to cancel a contract.
She paid them by check and it has already cleared.. that's how I saw the purchase. I have emailed the owner of the dealership asked for him to re consider, and I sent a complaint to the BBB. Pisses me off that they take advantage of confused and elderly people!
It is ElectroLux.. super expensive vacuums. She had called them, as her cleaning lady said the vacuum ( an older ElectroLux) wasn't working well. so she had called the electrolux dealer and they sent out a repairman (so he was invited). He told her all the things that were wrong with her current vacuum (it had a washcloth wrapped around the beater.. I could have fixed this!) And talked her into buying a brand new one for $981! when I saw the charge and cancelled check on her bank statement I called the owner. He pointed out the 48 hour return policy. It's never going to be used, as she is moving into assisted living... I just sent a complaint to the BBB
Tell him that you are taking him to small claims court and will accuse them of Elder Abuse, and that you will report business to better business bureau (not that they do much in all truthfulness.)
Actually, by law I think its 3 days. Can u stop payment at this point. His bank will just deduct it from his acct.
So sorry, I know this can be so nerve wracking. I would try and talk to the owner again. Has the vacuum been used. Maybe he can resell at a discount and the relative will just have to eat the difference.
It is ElectroLux.. super expensive vacuums. She had called them, as her cleaning lady said the vacuum ( an older ElectroLux) wasn't working well. so she had called the electrolux dealer and they sent out a repairman (so he was invited). He told her all the things that were wrong with her current vacuum (it had a washcloth wrapped around the beater.. I could have fixed this!) And talked her into buying a brand new one for $981! when I saw the charge and cancelled check on her bank statement I called the owner. He pointed out the 48 hour return policy. It's never going to be used, as she is moving into assisted living... I just sent a complaint to the BBB
Also contact electrolux itself. Tell them that their dealership is going to be accused of Elder Fraud and that you will personally see to it that your story start to finish is widely distributed.
It is ElectroLux.. super expensive vacuums. She had called them, as her cleaning lady said the vacuum ( an older ElectroLux) wasn't working well. so she had called the electrolux dealer and they sent out a repairman (so he was invited). He told her all the things that were wrong with her current vacuum (it had a washcloth wrapped around the beater.. I could have fixed this!) And talked her into buying a brand new one for $981! when I saw the charge and cancelled check on her bank statement I called the owner. He pointed out the 48 hour return policy. It's never going to be used, as she is moving into assisted living...
I haven't seen or heard of a vacuum cleaner salesman in decades. I wonder if this company is targeting seniors who are accustomed to people knocking on their door and selling things like vacuums. A person of a certain age may not be wary of a door-to-door salesman.
Contact the authorities and tell them that she has been financially exploited by this company and they will not work with you.
This will help get them to change their business practices, nobody likes to do business with a company that exploits seniors or vulnerable people.
I would also contact the better business bureau and file a complaint, contact your local business license bureau and find out if they have a way to make a complaint.
Financial exploitation is a crime.
It may be time for her to not live alone, God forbid but what if he was a violent criminal?
I see you're in Indianapolis. Here are some email addresses/websites for your TV stations and newspaper:
(NBC affiliate) 13investigates@wthr.com
(ABC affiliate) https://www.theindychannel.com/news/call-6-investigators
(CBS affiliate) news4@cbs4indy.com
(Indy Star - Newspaper) justin.mack@indystar.com
The other advantage to this is you may prevent some other older person with cognitive issues from having the same problem.
Best wishes.
It's never going to be used, as she is moving into assisted living...
I just sent a complaint to the BBB
So sorry, I know this can be so nerve wracking. I would try and talk to the owner again. Has the vacuum been used. Maybe he can resell at a discount and the relative will just have to eat the difference.
It's never going to be used, as she is moving into assisted living...
I just sent a complaint to the BBB
It's never going to be used, as she is moving into assisted living...
This will help get them to change their business practices, nobody likes to do business with a company that exploits seniors or vulnerable people.
I would also contact the better business bureau and file a complaint, contact your local business license bureau and find out if they have a way to make a complaint.
Financial exploitation is a crime.
It may be time for her to not live alone, God forbid but what if he was a violent criminal?