Tidewater Workshop, Cape May, NJ - Patio Furniture - On May 17, 2004 I called Tidewater Workshop to purchase Item # 1210 (Square Dining Table) and Item #2109 (Steel Walkway Anchors) for $305. I was also to receive free shipping and a free Garden Walkway (

Tidewater Workshop, Cape May, NJ - Patio Furniture - On May 17, 2004 I called Tidewater Workshop to purchase Item # 1210 (Square Dining Table) and Item #2109 (Steel Walkway Anchors) for $305. I was also to receive free shipping and a free Garden Walkway (Item #2170).

Tidewater Workshop Patio Furniture

Cape May, NJ Recommendation: Don’t order from Tidewater. The furniture is not worth the effort. On May 17, 2004 I called Tidewater Workshop to purchase Item # 1210 (Square Dining Table) and Item #2109 (Steel Walkway Anchors) for $305. I was also to receive free shipping and a free Garden Walkway (Item #2170). I wanted the items in time for a July 4 celebration. I asked when the items would be delivered before placing my order. I was told they would be received within 4-6 weeks, or between June 14 and June 28. I ordered the items and charged them to my credit card. The full charge was transacted and posted, according to my credit card statement, on May 17. On June 23, after 5 weeks had passed, I called Tidewater to ask about shipment and was told that the order would now take 6-8 weeks, at least 3 more weeks. Eight weeks would be July 12. I did not receive the furniture, or hear from Tidewater, so on July 14 I called and spoke to “Megan”, who told me the order would now take up to 12 weeks (August 9). The FTC requires hat companies deliver within 30 days, or as agreed. I had agreed to wait 4-6 weeks. I did not agree to wait 12 weeks. I told her I wanted to cancel the order. She put me on hold and came back to suggest that if I didn’t cancel, the furniture would be shipped to me “the week after next” and that I would receive a $40 discount on my order. I declined and asked for a refund.

She told me the only refund possible was a credit to my credit card. The credit would take 48 hours to process. She said she would call me Friday afternoon (July 16) to confirm that the credit had been processed. I did not hear from her. I called my credit card company on Saturday, July 17 and found the credit had not been made to my account. On July 19 I called the credit card company again and found the credit had not been made to my account. I called Tidewater later that day and spoke with “Kathy”, who told me “the person to speak to is not in the office”. She was unable to tell me when that person would return to the office. She told me that credits were processed once a week; that she was “surprised Megan didn’t tell (me) that”. She said she would check to find out when “the person to speak to” would be in the office and call me back in the afternoon. She did not call. On July 21 I called the credit card company again. After one week, the credit had not been made to my account. I called Tidewater and spoke with ”Sue”. Sue told me the Accounting Manager, who processes the credits, would be in on Friday, July 23 or Monday July 26. She was unable to tell me which day. She told me the credit would take one to two weeks to process after Friday, July 23 or Monday, July 26, and confirmed that credits are processed once a week. When I pointed out that a week had already passed, and that it could now take a total of three weeks for a credit, she told me that she “only takes the information and they take care of it”. I believe Tidewater Workshop may never have intended to ship the furniture I ordered. I sent a 30 day Demand Letter, as required by MA General Laws, Chapter 93A, Section 9, in the case of unfair or deceptive acts or practice. My Demand Letter was received July 26, 2004, and accepted by Nadine Caparilli. I did not hear from her. I complained to the New Jersey Atlantic County Division of Consumer Affairs, and received a confirmation of receipt of my complaint.

Ultimately, when I called my credit card company to dispute the charge, they credited my account and charged back Tidewater Workshop, in effect acting as both the FTC and the New Jersey and Massachusetts Departments of Consumer Affairs.

Altamarie

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