Dozens of local La-Z-Boy customers left in a lurch
SEATTLE -- The owners of 5 local La-Z-Boy furniture stores have suddenly stopped operating, leaving dozens of angry customers.
While most consumers view La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries as a nationally-known home furnishings chain, not all of the stores are run by the La-Z-Boy Corporation.
The five stores in the Puget Sound region are independent franchises and the headquarters confirms the local dealers have just lost their franchise license.
As of late last week, the local La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries are being managed by an outside consultant, hired to figure out what happened to all the orders.
"We ordered our couch April 28th and they said it's be about 8 weeks," said Christina Price of Issaquah, one of numerous consumers to contact the Problem Solvers about shipment delays and lack of straight answers.
After more than four months, Price is still waiting for her $1,600 sofa.
"When I called after 9 weeks, at first they couldn't find my order," she said.
Price said it was a special order so she had to pay in full.
"The order didn't appear in the La-Z-Boy database, because the money had never been sent in," she explained.
Complaints are coming in about La-Z-Boy stores in Issaquah, Lynnwood, Silverdale, Tacoma and Tukwila.
When we contacted the corporate headquarters in Michigan, the Director of Investor Relations was quick to make it clear:
"The stores were owned and operated by an independent licensee, not La-Z-Boy Incorporated," said Kathy Liebmann.
According to the State Department of Revenue, the stores are registered under the name Tolle Furniture Group, owned by Jerry, Andy and Barbara Spotts.
The mailing address listed in the State Business Records Database is 188802 72nd Avenue South in Kent.
With the Spotts no longer involved, the La-Z-Boy, Inc. has hired a Denver firm called SPCI Companies. According to their website, SPCI specializes in management consulting and liquidation.
La-Z-Boy Corporate would not comment on the future of the stores. In a written statement, Liebmann would only say the dealer has "ceased operations and is winding down its business."
Liebmann's statement continues: "We are reviewing the customer orders that we are aware of, and doing everything we can to expedite the delivery of furniture to the consumer. Customers will be notified of their ship dates later this week by the independent company that is managing this process.
We regret the inconvenience and frustration consumers have had with these stores, but rest assured La-Z-Boy Incorporated is doing everything possible to expedite the shipment of their furniture and intends to do its best to satisfy all legitimate consumer issues."
After all she's been through, and what she knows now, Christina Price still wants her La-Z-Boy recliner sofa.
"I want the La-Z-Boy couch. I do," said Price. "I would be happiest if they would call me up and say, 'Mrs. Price, your couch is on its way, can we set up a delivery time?' "
While most consumers view La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries as a nationally-known home furnishings chain, not all of the stores are run by the La-Z-Boy Corporation.
The five stores in the Puget Sound region are independent franchises and the headquarters confirms the local dealers have just lost their franchise license.
As of late last week, the local La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries are being managed by an outside consultant, hired to figure out what happened to all the orders.
"We ordered our couch April 28th and they said it's be about 8 weeks," said Christina Price of Issaquah, one of numerous consumers to contact the Problem Solvers about shipment delays and lack of straight answers.
After more than four months, Price is still waiting for her $1,600 sofa.
"When I called after 9 weeks, at first they couldn't find my order," she said.
Price said it was a special order so she had to pay in full.
"The order didn't appear in the La-Z-Boy database, because the money had never been sent in," she explained.
Complaints are coming in about La-Z-Boy stores in Issaquah, Lynnwood, Silverdale, Tacoma and Tukwila.
When we contacted the corporate headquarters in Michigan, the Director of Investor Relations was quick to make it clear:
"The stores were owned and operated by an independent licensee, not La-Z-Boy Incorporated," said Kathy Liebmann.
According to the State Department of Revenue, the stores are registered under the name Tolle Furniture Group, owned by Jerry, Andy and Barbara Spotts.
The mailing address listed in the State Business Records Database is 188802 72nd Avenue South in Kent.
With the Spotts no longer involved, the La-Z-Boy, Inc. has hired a Denver firm called SPCI Companies. According to their website, SPCI specializes in management consulting and liquidation.
La-Z-Boy Corporate would not comment on the future of the stores. In a written statement, Liebmann would only say the dealer has "ceased operations and is winding down its business."
Liebmann's statement continues: "We are reviewing the customer orders that we are aware of, and doing everything we can to expedite the delivery of furniture to the consumer. Customers will be notified of their ship dates later this week by the independent company that is managing this process.
We regret the inconvenience and frustration consumers have had with these stores, but rest assured La-Z-Boy Incorporated is doing everything possible to expedite the shipment of their furniture and intends to do its best to satisfy all legitimate consumer issues."
After all she's been through, and what she knows now, Christina Price still wants her La-Z-Boy recliner sofa.
"I want the La-Z-Boy couch. I do," said Price. "I would be happiest if they would call me up and say, 'Mrs. Price, your couch is on its way, can we set up a delivery time?' "