Fortunoff's Return Goes Rotten
Just about every shopper relies on the idea of returns. If you don't like something, just bring it back! But what do you do when that return never makes it to the books?
Sandra Weissman was on the fence about whether to buy a necklace from Fortunoff's department store. When her birthday rolled around in January, she decided to buy the necklace using her Fortunoff's credit card. If she changed her mind, she could always return it, right?
"I had heard through the grapevine that Fortunoff's was having trouble," said Sandra. "So I said, 'If I'm not sure I'm keeping this, I better return it.' I returned it to Fortunoff's, everything was fine. I got the receipt, it said I had a refund: end of story."
Just weeks afterward, Sandra got her credit card statement showing she owed over $1,300: the cost of the necklace. Right away, she called the store manager who oversaw the purchase just two weeks prior.
"And he says 'No, that went through. Maybe it didn't come on this bill, it will come on the next bill.' And months, after months, after months I keep getting this bill, and in my hand I have this refund slip," she said.
By February, Fortunoff's had declared bankruptcy. So, Sandra got in contact with World Financial Bank - Fortunoff's credit holder. At their request, she sent copies of her return receipt and her credit card statements through the mail, hoping they'd resolve the issue. But... nothing every materialized.
"I keep getting these statements adding late charges and finance charges and I'm sitting here with this receipt," said Sandra. "Finally I got a so-called manager who told me, 'Oh, fax me all your papers. Here's my name, here's my number. Fax it all to me. I'll take care of it within ten days."
At first, Sandra thought she was in the clear. Then, she received an e-mail from American Express. Due to "recent delinquent activity," they'd be lowering her credit limit. With Fortunoff's no longer in existance, she was sinking fast.
"It's becoming a major problem," said Sandra, "because like I said, I lease cars, I buy things... I don't want to go to the counter and get embarrassed and denied because of World Financial Bank."
That's when she called "Help Me Howard." Once we got in touch with World Financial Bank, we were able to clear Sandra for the cost of the necklace, as well all any additional costs she incurred in interest, late fees and finance charges. Her credit limits have seen been reinstated.
World Financial Bank says they're happy to have resolved the issue. Meanwhile, Sandra told us she's cutting up all of her other store-sponsored credits cards managed by World Financial Bank.
