Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction against Reeds & Son Furniture Oxnard
June 18, 2010
Santa Paula News
District Attorney Gregory Totten June 15 that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit entered into a Stipulated Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction against Reeds & Son Furniture Oxnard, Inc., a California corporation doing business as Reeds Furniture To Go, Reeds Closeout Center and Reeds Furniture (Oxnard), and Donald M. Wickman of Thousand Oaks.
The complaint alleges false and misleading advertising and unlawful business practices arising out of three separate advertising campaigns: a “Retirement Sale” from January 2007, a “Quitting Business” promotion from October 2007, and a “Free Grocery” campaign from March through July 2009.
Without admitting any liability or wrongdoing, the settlement included $97,500 in civil penalties, $2,500 in costs to the Bureau of Home Furnishings, and $53,600 in consumer restitution to those consumers who received the “free grocery” vouchers from Reeds Furniture in Oxnard during the promotion between March and July 2009.
Consumers who made purchases and received the grocery vouchers who have moved or have updated contact information can provide the updated information to the District Attorney’s Office at Karen.Simpson@ventura.org or call (805) 662-1750. The District Attorney’s Office will be sending out letters with claim forms to restitution-eligible consumers in the near future.
False and misleading advertising gives an unfair economic advantage to businesses, and California consumer protection laws are designed to protect customers and prohibit false or misleading advertising. Consumers who have complaints about business practices in the community are encouraged to bring such matters to the attention of the District Attorney’s Consumer Mediation Unit in Ventura at (805) 654-3100 or Simi Valley at (805) 306-7930.
