Imagine spending thousands of dollars on furniture for your new home, only to be left with empty rooms and an empty wallet. That's the frustrating reality facing several customers of Gallery Furniture in Medford, and News 12 has uncovered a concerning pattern of complaints.
Gregory Scolieri, eager to furnish his Seaford home, purchased two couches from Gallery Furniture back in January. Fast forward to October, and those couches are still nowhere to be found. "Now it's October," Scolieri laments, "we've gone through a back and forth with the credit card company, with Gallery Furniture, and the end result is they're not delivering the furniture, they're not giving our money back." He reached out to News 12 after discovering that he wasn't alone in his predicament.
The New York State Department of State confirms that eight formal complaints have been lodged against Gallery Furniture in Medford. Scolieri poignantly stated, "We wanted a place to sit and instead we're out $6,000 and a lot of time spent getting nowhere." His sentiment echoes the frustration of others who feel they've been left high and dry. News 12's investigation revealed that the Division of Consumer Protection is actively reviewing these grievances.
Specifically, the Department of State revealed that four of these complaints center around the non-delivery of purchased items. But here's where it gets controversial... The other complaints paint a broader picture of potential issues, including damaged merchandise arriving at customers' doorsteps, orders being incomplete, and, in some cases, entirely the wrong products being delivered. Could these be isolated incidents, or do they point to a systemic problem within the company's operations?
And this is the part most people miss... News 12's investigation went beyond customer complaints, uncovering court documents that reveal Gallery Furniture is currently facing foreclosure. Furthermore, a judge ruled against owner Richard Kogel in a lawsuit, siding with a company that claimed his businesses defaulted on a loan. These financial struggles could certainly impact the company's ability to fulfill orders and resolve customer issues. Scolieri has also taken matters into his own hands, filing a complaint with Suffolk County Consumer Affairs, adding another layer of scrutiny to the situation.
In response to these allegations, Richard Kogel issued a statement, acknowledging the delays and attributing them to "significant factory production delays" impacting special-order furniture. He adds, "We fully recognize how frustrating delays can be for our customers... We are not simply waiting for the situation to resolve itself — customers are given the option to reselect from our in-stock merchandise." But is offering in-stock alternatives a satisfactory solution for customers who had their hearts set on specific items and have already waited months? Is it truly a fair resolution, or just a way to mitigate further losses for the company?
This situation raises important questions about consumer protection and the responsibilities of businesses to their customers. What recourse do consumers have when they're left waiting indefinitely for products they've already paid for? And should companies facing financial difficulties be held to a higher standard of transparency with their customers? We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Have you ever faced a similar situation? Do you believe Gallery Furniture's response is adequate? Let's discuss!
