THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505050201
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
The Virginia Beach Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, Consumer Affairs Division has announced that Porch `N' Patio Inc., trading as Dinettes Unlimited, has signed an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, presented checks totaling $8,853 in restitution, and $1,200 in investigative costs as settlement in a consumer protection case.
An investigation by the division revealed some consumers who made purchases between January 1993 and April 1994 either ordered or were shown furniture by one manufacturer but received similar, lesser quality furniture from another manufacturer.
More than 240 invoices were reviewed, and 64 consumers will be receiving refund checks in various amounts ranging from $25 to $325. The checks represent the difference in cost between what was ordered/shown and what was received. One consumer who did not receive any of the furniture shown will return all the furniture and receive a full refund of $2,500.
Porch `N' Patio Inc. denied having violated the Virginia Consumer Protection Act but has agreed to the entry of the assurance solely to compromise and settle this dispute. The entry of the assurance shall in no way be deemed an admission of any wrongdoing.
For more information about the case or if you have reason to believe you might have been victimized, call the Consumer Affairs Division at 426-5836.
KEYWORDS: CONSUMER RESTITUTION INVESTIGATION DINETTES UNLIMITED by CNB