Landlords looking as Fortunoff stores prepare to close

3/5/09: I don't know if the gift card redemption still applies but I will tell you that I had a shipment scheduled for furniture from Fortunoff that I ordered and today I got a phone call from them saying they cancelled my furniture shipment AND they will neither give me the furniture nor return the full price that they charged me for it. They said if I want the money to file a lawsuit and then get in line. What a racket they are doing now by taking advantage of customers in such hard economic times. I saved to get these chairs for my dinette set and then they led me on until the day of expected delivery and then took my money and didn't give me anything but grief. I am really perturbed.

that comment sounds like baloney
all you have to do is call your credit card company for a charge back !

not if you have a gift card. I used my gift card a month ago and was waiting for a back ordered item and they called me today and told me I wasn't getting the item or the money back. The item was supposed to be shipped this week. What a coincidence...

I purchased an outdoor patio set costing over $2000 paid in full in oct. & had a march delivery date. I called to make a change in my chairs & the woman on the phone in customer service said, not only can't I make a change to your order, you're not getting your set & you will not get a refund or credit due to Fortunoffs bankrupsy. then I printed out information for Fortunoffs website that said all purchases made prior to Feb 15th can be refunded by Fortunoffs normal return policy by March 10. I went to the store with this information & the liquidation manager said "no" to me, disregarding the information I presented to him with my paid receipt. I then called the police & the officer said it was a civil suit but that I was absolutely right, he could not make him give me a refund, even though it was before march 10th. How can they give information out to the public like that & have it be legal? I don't understand. I was within the time period & my purchase fell into the time frame. The officer then said that Fortunoffs will be selling my outdoor set probably about four more times & screwing every body who buys it. I thought bankruptsy helped people that couldn't pay debts not incur more problems & how can the government protect them in this illegal process? Doreen

This is how bankruptcy protection works. Fortunoff is acting within its rights now that it's in bankruptcy protection. It stinks, but that's how it goes. I'm sorry some of you lost money.

I have the same problem. I missed the delivery by only hours. On March 5th i was awaiting delivery of my patio furniture but instead received a call saying as of 8am the judge ruled fortunoff could no longer deliver its orders. The merchandise now belongs to the liquidators (who by the way are charging more than i PAID fortunoff) I filed a dispute with the credit card company (unfortunately for me it was a fortunoff credit card) and i also filed a bankruptcy form and sent to Garden City Group (you need to do that by April 1st) I'm out the money $1923.55 and the merchandise!!!!!!!

Patricia A wrote:

I have the same problem. I missed the delivery by only hours. On March 5th i was awaiting delivery of my patio furniture but instead received a call saying as of 8am the judge ruled fortunoff could no longer deliver its orders. The merchandise now belongs to the liquidators (who by the way are charging more than i PAID fortunoff) I filed a dispute with the credit card company (unfortunately for me it was a fortunoff credit card) and i also filed a bankruptcy form and sent to Garden City Group (you need to do that by April 1st) I'm out the money $1923.55 and the merchandise!!!!!!!

I really feel bad for you Patty, there has to be some sort of justice for you.

a friend of mine who shall remain nameless is a fortunoff executive for over 23 years. she told me that they will be delivering furniture purchased within a certain time frame, I think Feb. date? & on. In my situation, with that flyer printed out from fortunoffs website that I should have received a refund on purchases made prior to feb 15th and when they refused, instead of calling the police (which is the first thing that came to mind) my friend said I should have called news 12 or any local news station & they would have made their dishonesty public! I did get a credit on my visa & I went to fortunoffs to see what they are selling my set for (since it's a liquidation sale) they want over $1500 more than I paid! INCLUDING another delivery charge! I wound up buying another cast aluminum set on Costco.com for $1499 free delivery & free cushions. I just have to buy an umbrella. Oh well, Use your head guys, they are bleeding everyone for everything they can get. Doreen

Thank you Steve
Well there might be some justice after all! I just found an article DATED March 11th that the Attorney General intervened after receiving numerous complaints from consumers who paid thousands of dollars for furniture and were told that, although the furniture was in stock, it would not be delivered, and no refunds would be provided. The Attorney General urges all consumers who paid in full for furniture that has not been delivered to contact Fortunoff immediately to request delivery of any in-stock items. I'll be contacting them with my fingers crossed that i will be receiving my patio set.

I had the a similar problem. We ordered a rug around christmas time and it was nevered delivered. My husband called and was told that because the rug was purchased 1/2 on a store credit and the other half on a credit card, that we can dispute thru the credit card company and then put our name on a creditors list for the store credit part.

Just as a heads up to everyone. I went into the store and they gave me the floor sample. Not exactly what I wanted but better than being out 300 of a store credit. They did credit my credit card 10% because I bought the floor model.

Everyone try going to the store. You might have better luck than calling.

Good luck to everyone.

well, I received a refund for my patio set in full from visa, although they are still investigating, I have since went back "today" and bought another set and it's supposed to come 3/20/09. at 20% off, I paid another $250 more but, when all is said & done, I just want my set. After reading what the attorney general said, I know there will not be a problem (unless of course it's damaged or returned mdse.) when that might be another problem. I'll keep my fingers crossed Doreen

The New Jersey DECORATING EXCHANGE will honor all FORTUNOFF gift cards, reward certificates and merchandise credits against a minimum sale. The FORTUNOFF CUSTOMER DOES NOT END UP WITH AN EMPTY SHOPPING BAG. The Exchange is located on 3 New Bridge Road in River Edge, New Jersey. Call for details.

If you charged a pruchase to a credit card, not a dept card, call the card company and tell them the story, they will reverse the charge. That is why you should never use a dept card for any large purchase since you are on your own and must sue.

Poor Max (the founder of Fortunoffs) he must be spinning in his grave. I met him when I worked in their store on Long Island (many years ago), he was always helping out, bagging, sweeping, whatever it took to keep the store looking nice.
He would be horrified to hear how the customers are being ripped off.

I feel sorry for Patty and Max.

I miss shopping at Fortunoff's for holiday items. They always had things that were different and unique for every holiday. Do you know of any stores that had merchandise similar to Fortunoff ?