When Nicarla Richards, a mental‑health and social‑psychology graduate at Russell Sage College, moved into a new Albany apartment, she trusted her parents’ advice to shop for furniture in the Bronx for better prices. She paid $2,000 upfront to Tejada Furniture on Fordham Road for a bundled set that included delivery.
Richards was promised delivery within a week, but the store repeatedly delayed, first blaming bad weather, then claiming the order was lost at sea. As weeks passed, the promised furniture never arrived, leaving her without a place to sit, eat, or study.
Facing a $2,000 loss, Richards turned to the consumer‑advocacy organization 7 On Your Side, which her father had recommended. After completing an online application, the group reached Tejada Furniture via WhatsApp. Within three days, the store issued a full refund of $2,000 to Richards.
Richards later drove three hours back to the Bronx to confront the store, only to find it had closed permanently. “The outcome could not have been any better because I got my money back and paid my parents back,” she said, expressing gratitude for the assistance.
Consumer protection basics in New York
New York State law requires that furniture purchases over $200 include a written delivery date. If a retailer misses that date, consumers have the right to cancel the order and receive a full refund or opt for store credit toward a new purchase. Advocacy groups like 7 On Your Side help enforce these rights by mediating between consumers and businesses.
Richards’ experience underscores the importance of documenting delivery agreements and knowing where to turn when a retailer fails to honor them. For other New Yorkers facing similar issues, the state’s consumer‑protection statutes provide a clear path to recoup lost funds.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
