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Freddie

(9,231 posts)
Fri Sep 23, 2016, 09:22 AM Sep 2016

Legal advice needed (paid for item never received)

In 2013 my elderly mother died. I contracted and paid for a memorial (tombstone) at what I thought was a local business. A good friend of my parents' owned "Town Memorials" for decades and I knew he'd sold the business when he retired. I didn't know he'd sold it to common theives.
Anyway, they were delighted for my business. I consulted with a salesman and designed a memorial for both parents, with Dad's death date added when needed. I approved the design and paid in full. Paid the cemetery for the foundation. I have copies of the cleared checks.
At first "Corporate Memorials" was fine. Got a number of emails from their rep at the local office apologizing for the delay in installing the memorial. Frozen ground, rain, etc. Dad died a year after Mom and I contacted the local rep with the date, figuring they didn't finish the stone in the first place, just add the date.
Two years go by...nothing. Emails to the local rep are returned "no such person." Calls and emails to the corporate office--nada. I contacted my county Office of Consumer Protection. The central office of Corporate Memorials immediately responded that I had never paid for the foundation and did not tell them the date of Dad's death. The cemetery confirmed that the foundation was indeed paid for and completed. I let the corporate office know this. No response.
The county office added my name to a class action suit against Corporate Memorials that is being handled through the PA Attorney General office. That was in May. I have heard nothing. Not surprising given the dissaray in that office of late.
The Better Business Bureau has been pointless.
I understand that even if we won in Small Claims Court, there is nothing the state can do to make them do the work or refund my $$.
My brother wants to have another (truly local) company do the work and get our $$ back from the theives. I refuse to pay anyone else UNTIL we get our $$ back.
I just want the work done or my $$ back in full. It's been over 3 years FFS!! Any advice would be very much appreciated.

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Legal advice needed (paid for item never received) (Original Post) Freddie Sep 2016 OP
I would try the State Attorney General Sherman A1 Sep 2016 #1
The county referred the case to them Freddie Sep 2016 #2
Try contacting them Sherman A1 Sep 2016 #3

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
2. The county referred the case to them
Fri Sep 23, 2016, 09:42 AM
Sep 2016

I'm part of a class action suit. I have heard nothing from the AG office since May and the county won't help anymore because it's with the AG office.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
3. Try contacting them
Fri Sep 23, 2016, 09:46 AM
Sep 2016

I suspect that you won't hear much, but doesn't hurt to try. That said they may be interested in your specific story as part of the case. I would think that if the case has gone to the AG I doubt if you will see any settlement soon.

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