NEW YORK (WABC) — A graduate student in Albany, New York, attending Russell Sage College and trying to protect her tight budget, says she wound up wasting money when she paid thousands upfront for furniture that never showed up. When she couldn’t get a refund, she contacted 7 On Your Side.
Nicarla Richards was simply following her parents’ advice.
“They said go to the city, it’s a lot cheaper,” Richards said.
It was her parents who advised Richards to furnish her new upstate apartment from stores in the Bronx, saying she’d get more bang for her buck and says she found a set she loved.
“And they were offering me a really good deal,” Richards said.
She says the salesman at Tejada Furniture on Fordham Road promised the mental health and social psychology student peace of mind with a bargain bundle, plus delivery to her Albany apartment.
“I can get you everything, including delivery, $2,000 flat. They knew I was in school, and they knew that this would be a good deal for someone who’s in school, working full time, and has an internship,” Richards said.
She says the delivery was supposed to happen within a week. Then, Richards was told bad weather delayed it. That made sense, considering a recent storm.
“I didn’t question it, but as time went on, it was always a delay or a different story each time I called,” Richards said.
At one point, she says the excuse was her order was lost at sea.
“Once I heard that it was out and possibly in the middle of the ocean, they don’t know where it is, that’s when I figured, like, there’s no chance I’m going to get my money back for this,” Richards said.
With nowhere to sit, eat, or study, her parents loaned her money for yet another living room set. Total price, another $2,000.
“$2,000 is a lot of money for any person. But like a college student that’s trying to figure out their way, it’s a lot of money to lose,” Richards said.
Her father wasn’t willing to let his daughter go down without a fight.
“I found 7 On Your Side through my dad. He sent me a link and told me to fill out the application form, and he was like, ‘I see what they can do for people. I want them to help you,'” Richards said.
Richards says after making the three-hour drive from her house back to the Bronx to see what was going on at the furniture store, they stopped taking her calls.
7 On Your Side was able to reach Tejada on WhatsApp, and within three days, Richards got her $2,000 refunded.
Today, the store is closed down.
“The outcome could not have been any better because I got my money back and paid my parents back, which I feel very grateful for because this was a nightmare,” Richards said.
7 On Your Side asked a sales employee for a statement from the store owners, but never received a response.
Richards was just happy to get her cash back.
“Thank you so much for everything. You don’t understand how much this means to me. And thank you so much 7 On Your Side,” Richards said.
New York City and the state have consumer protection laws when it comes to delivery. Most furniture purchased over $200 requires a delivery date in writing. If businesses miss the date, you have the right to cancel and get a full refund or choose store credit to pick a new piece of furniture with a new delivery date.
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