Attorney General Bob Ferguson has secured full restitution for consumers who lost money doing business with the now defunct Gill’s Furniture, a retail store formerly located in Tacoma, Washington.
Under an agreement filed Thursday in Pierce County Superior Court, Loren Gill, former owner of Gill’s Furniture, must pay full restitution to consumers who paid for furniture that Gill’s never delivered. His brother, Joeseph, who now owns MFC Furniture, a furniture store in the same location as Gill’s, also signed an agreement to follow the state’s consumer protection laws.
“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.
The Attorney General’s Office sued the company after receiving a flood of complaints from people who ordered and paid for merchandise from Gill’s Furniture, mostly between July and December 2011, then never received their orders.
Consumers said they were continuously misled about the status of their orders and delivery dates, and when their furniture never arrived, they were refused refunds. Many consumers also claim their inquiries with the brothers were met with belligerence, and some even reported being threatened by the Gills.
Business records indicate Gill’s Furniture ceased operating on or around December 31, 2011. MFC Furniture, owned by Joeseph Gill, now operates at the same location.
Under the terms of the agreement, Loren Gill will pay a total of $44,368.42 to the Attorney General’s Office. The payment will be used first to pay restitution to consumers who never received furniture that they paid for, then to cover attorneys’ fees and costs in investigating the matter. Loren Gill is also liable for another $94,000, suspended upon his compliance with the agreement.
Joeseph Gill also signed an agreement promising not to violate the state’s consumer protection act or engage in any unfair or deceptive practices. He is liable for a $25,000 payment suspended as long as he complies with the agreement.
