CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION ORDERS PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY FURNITURE SELLER TO PAY RESTITUTION

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a cease and desist order requiring Patrick Burke, the owner and operator of a College Park furniture store called the Dinette Gallery, to pay restitution that exceeds $75,000. The Dinette Gallery collected deposits from more than 240 customers for furniture that it failed to provide.

The Consumer Protection Division found that Burke and his company violated the Maryland Consumer Protection Act by failing to provide dinette sets and other furniture, and by failing to refund customers’ deposits. The Division also determined that Burke and his company violated the Merchandise Delivery Act by failing to provide customers with a written, estimated delivery date and by failing to inform consumers of their rights in situations in which the Dinette Gallery failed to provide an estimated delivery date or failed to provide ordered household goods within two weeks of the estimated delivery date. The Division’s cease and desist order immediately bars Burke from accepting deposits from customers prior to providing promised goods.

" Stores that collect deposits for household goods must provide an estimated delivery date in writing and if the store fails to deliver the household goods within two weeks of the estimated delivery date, then customers have the right to a refund," said Attorney General Curran.

Consumers who have not received refunds of deposits they paid to the Dinette Gallery for furniture that was not provided may call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6591.

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