
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990                   TAG: 9005290364
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E3   EDITION: METRO   
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RESTRUCTURING OF SHOE COMPANY SLOWS REFUNDS

Q: In May 1989, I paid $75 for shoes from Hill Brothers of Lynchburg. A month later I received a card requesting an extension of delivery time because they were temporarily out of the size or style I ordered.

I received two more cards, so I asked for a refund. Last November, I received a letter stating that my shoes didn't come in from the manufacturer, and the company was "in the process of" issuing me a refund check. The letter also said, "We are unable to provide a refund at this time due to the financial restructuring of our company by the new management."

It's been almost a year since this began, and I would like a refund. Any help you can offer will be much appreciated. - M.B.R., Roanoke

Q: Last December, I ordered a pair of shoes from Hill Brothers in Lynchburg for $35.26. I have never received them, although I've written several times. How can I collect what they owe me? - Mrs. Richard Rogers Sr., Stuart

A: In the past couple of months, Quickline has received several complaints about Hill Brothers in Lynchburg. We spoke with Stuart Ashby at the Division of Consumer Affairs in Richmond about this company.

The division has received many complaints about Hill Brothers, Ashby said. He added the complaints are resolved once the division contacts Hill Brothers.

Last fall, the company filed for a Chapter 11 reorganization in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Roanoke, Ashby said. The division is keeping a close watch on Hill Brothers during the reorganization. Ashby said he thinks they'll be back to normal once the process is completed.

The company has been around since the early 1900s and this is the first time it's had financial problems, he added.

The customer service representative that both Ashby and Quickline recommend contacting at Hill Brothers is Angie Brown of the customer service department at (804) 528-1000. Tell her Quickline referred you.

***CORRECTION***

Published correction ran on May 28, 1990\ Clarifications

A recent Quickline column concerning Hill Brothers of Lynchburg said the company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Act on Sept. 25, 1989. However Chapter 11 was dismissed Oct. 31, 1989, for improper filing, according to the Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia.

Consumers should file complaints through the BBB rather than bankruptcy court because Hill Brothers has made a commitment that all complaints filed through the BBB will be settled.

Memo: CORRECTION

by CNB