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/
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/
ROLL CALL OF SHAME...
NOT ONE RESPONDED.
Except for Dave.Cherry@cbs5az
Eventually.
 |
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2014
Subject: Uncontrolled Predatory Business Practices in Phoenix // from a very
unhappy constituent
Honorable Public
Official,
What happens when:
· A 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?
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.
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.
For more details, check out these posts:
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.
For more details, check out these posts:
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