Tuesday, June 10, 2014

THEY IGNORED A CITIZEN'S CALL FOR HELP: Roll Call

For more details, see the blog posts listed at the bottom of this page.

FYI

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anglen, Robert  
Date: Sun, Sep 28, 2014 at 9:40 AM
Subject: Story on camelback consign
To: Glenn Michaels  



Story is in today's paper. Your blog is mentioned prominently in the story. Thanks for all of your help. Here is a link:


http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/consumer/call-12-for-action/2014/09/28/missing-painting-returned-owner/16373445/


ROLL CALL OF SHAME...
NOT ONE RESPONDED. 

Except for Dave.Cherry@cbs5az 

Eventually. 



























From: Glenn Michaels 
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2014
Subject: Uncontrolled Predatory Business Practices in Phoenix // from a very unhappy constituent


To: barneyd@mail.maricopa.govchucris@mail.maricopa.govakunasek@mail.maricopa.govchickman@mail.maricopa.govmrwilcox@mail.maricopa.govClerkboard@mail.maricopa.govmayor.stanton@phoenix.govcouncil.district.1@phoenix.gov,council.district.3@phoenix.govcouncil.district.4@phoenix.govcouncil.district.5@phoenix.govcouncil.district.6@phoenix.govcouncil.district.7@phoenix.govcouncil.district.8@phoenix.govtforese@azleg.govakwasman@azleg.govddavis@azleg.gov,tshope@azleg.govnbarto@azleg.govdbradley@azleg.govadriggs@azleg.govlalston@azleg.govchcampbell@azleg.gov


Honorable Public Official,

What happens when:

·  Phoenix-based business - in this case, a consignment store - doesn't pay the people whose goods it takes and sells or simply retains? Again and again?
·  The sums involved start in the hundreds of dollars and rise to just under $100,000 per individual? 
·  The pattern persists - or if you will - develops, in plain sight, for over a year?
·  A consumer complains to the BBB, the Attorney General, the Maricopa County Attorney's office, and the police?
·  Many consumers complain to these enforcement entities and  others?
The answer is: Nothing. Absolutely nothing happens. 

 How is this possible? It is outrageous.

As you likely know better than I, business agreements such as those with a consignment store, in which a contract was signed, are generally only enforced by the courts. According to the police and other enforcement authorities: failure to pay, bounced checks, and failure to return consigned items to their consignors are a matter of "civil breach." 

The problem is two-fold. 

·  The cost to a consumer of going to court in pursuit of a judgement can be very expensive. My attorney, Phillip Visnansky of Warner Angle, tells me that the cost of going to court can easily rise to $30,000. I've been owed $21,000 since Oct of 2013. Add the time, the effort, the frustration and the money and what you get is, again, nothing. Inaction. How many consumers can afford redress?
·  Even if a successful court case leads to a civil judgment; even if that judgment is enforced - a very iffy proposition, it turns out; such an action does nothing to protect the next person to encounter the same issue. 

In the last year, the BBB has recorded approximately 12 complaints against Camelback Consign & Design. And it has moved with all the rapidity of an ice-cold reptile: I've been tracking this very carefully.

I submitted a complaint to the Attorney General at the end of October. I received a single acknowledgment in the mail and have heard nothing more about the matter.

I've contacted both CBS Channel 5 and Channel 12 for consumer assistance. I received some support. As a result, the bounced check I received in September was finally made good in December. True, it's more than the Maricopa County Attorney's Office was willing to do... and it has an NSF check enforcement program. But, as noted, I am still out $21,000.

Here's the bottom line. A predatory business in the "fair" city of Phoenix has been growing increasingly rapacious because there is, in fact, no enforcement mechanism that can put a stop to this type of activity. 
  
This is utterly unacceptable. I cannot begin to tell you how much financial pain this has caused me, personally. Read the complaints listed on the BBB website or on my blog (www.camelbackconsignanddesign.blogspot.com) and you will have to conclude that the impact on other individuals is just as great. 

Others I speak to assure me that if the BBB or Yelp or Yahoo receive one complaint, there are likely many more individuals who were harmed but prefer not to acknowledge it. I'm inclined to agree, as several individuals have reported their stories to me but asked to remain anonymous. 

I am only aware of this single business. But I have to believe that there are many others out there that have long since figured out that they can get away with highway robbery and face no consequences.

Thus, this letter to you.  I implore you: investigate and take action. I have blogged. I have picketed. I have made innumerable phone calls. Written too many letters and emails. Contacted federal authorities. Invested untold hours... and, by the way, I'm married and work for a living. 

You were elected or appointed to protect the citizens of this city, this county and this state. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to address the lack of enforcement mechanisms as regards predatory business practices.

I have carefully documented my experiences - and those of others - via the blog, referenced above: www.camelbackconsignanddesign.blogspot.com

You might also visit the BBB website and look up the business review and associated comments for Camelback Consign & Design (note the ampersand). 

Finally, I attach a few basic documents for your immediate review.


Sincerely, 

Glenn S. Michaels
706 W. Palm Lane
Phoenix, AZ  85007



THE NEW TIMES

Like the Arizona Republic, the New Times apparently didn't care for my style or story. I asked a friend associated with that organization to hand-deliver my written notes with documentation to an editor. Later, just to be certain that this once fierce advocate for area citizens had gotten the info, I mailed a package of information to the Editor. 

I never heard back.

We've all heard the platitude, "Better Late Than Never." My question is: How late?

DON'T KID YOURSELF. 
Mike Burns wasn't born yesterday. He wasn't born on the Fourth of July, either. NOPE. Mike Burns was born on 9/11 in 1952. He was destined. 



I don't know if the truth will set you free. But fuss loud enough with a big 'nough bunch a friends and I swear folks 'll do near anything to get you to shut up. Fast as they can. 

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