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Catalina Enterprises Owner: Eva Freud, They wouldn't return my $300 deposit that I gave them at the Women's Expo on Oct. 17th for a $1500 cape that I decided not to buy the day after! Scottsdale, Arizona
On Saturday, October 17, 2009 I put down a $300 deposit, which came from a $300 Visa Gift Card, on a black cashmere cape with fox trim and Rhinestones at a booth called Catalina Enterprises www.catalinaleather.com at the Women's Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center. They exhibit at 80 upscale trade shows/year around the country like the Barrett Jackson, Jewelry Shows etc. as they have upscale leathers and furs! They wanted me to put down the entire $1500 for a deposit but they wouldn't let me take the cape home until Sunday because they wanted to be able to show it and let people who were interested try it on as it was their only sample like that! Luckily I didn't put everything down as I had a change of heart that evening and decided that I didn't want to buy it afterall!
I went back to the Expo on Sunday and told them that I changed my mind and wanted my deposit back. They told me "NO" that I signed the invoice which was the contract! I told them that their website said that Customer Satisfaction was Guaranteed on the "About Us" page, and they said that I wasn't a customer because I didn't follow through with my end of the agreement and I didn't have the item! I put 2 calls into the owner, Eva Freud, from Scottsdale and she didn't return my calls or the 2 emails I sent her from her website, and she wouldn't talk to me at the Show on Sunday, and her husband, Cary, asked me to leave their booth!
On Sunday when I asked Cary and Eva where the cashmere was woven and how many ply it was and if the tassels were hand twisted they didn't have the answers but told me that they would get back with me on Monday. They wanted the full payment first though! On Saturday Cary said that he would give me a 5 year warranty on the cape, and on Sunday he said that he would give me a 20 year warranty on the cape as long as they were still in business! In less than 24 hours, I changed my mind and no longer wanted the cape! They ripped me off of $300 which is mine, and I didn't get anything because they asked me to leave their booth! Their website www.catalinaleather.com said that they were a reputable company! You decide if you want to do business with a company like that! Checking with the BBB before making a BIG PURCHASE is always best because most reputable businesses with high-end products are members, and then you can take them to mediation if you're not satisfied with the outcome! Just remember, the customer is always right! I hope that you have learned from my mistake!
3 Updates & Rebuttals
responsenetwork
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
USA
Tell the whole truth, not just the parts that favor your blog
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, October 29, 2009
You fail to mention the fact that you entered into a contract with Catalina and came down with a case of "buyer's remorse" when you researched the product on the internet and found out that their product was of much higher quality than what you researched. You then tried to back out of the contract which you were specifically told provided that deposits were non refundable. You then made a scene at the Women's Show wherein you tried to get management to side with you...and they did not. You then stalked Catalina's owners by looking up their personal address and the value of their home. Catalina is one of the most respected vendors on the circuit as well as in their industry. They did not rip you off, you tried to rip them off. Some advice from a consumer standpoint; you should probably hire a lawyer because you have opened yourself up to a libel and slander suit. The only thing you accomplish by your blog is that reputable vendors such as Catalina need to be more aware of thieves like you.
IamGood
Galveston,Texas,
USA
They could have sold the cape over the weekend
#4General Comment
Tue, October 20, 2009
Anonymous
The cape could have been sold to someone else over the weekend. If someone else showed an interest in buying the cape, they told them no, the cape had already been sold. A deposit is their way of getting compensation in case you change your mind, which you did
Grow Up.
Robert
Wallingford,Connecticut,
U.S.A.
You may be able to use the three day right to rescind.
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, October 20, 2009
Point out to them that you have a three day right to rescind based on the fact that the purchase was made at an expo.
Basically, you have three business days to cancel the sales contract but you will need to make the cancellation in writing by the end of the third business day.
However, since the seller did not provide you the necessary forms to cancel if you chose to do so, you may have additional time.
Perform a search to determine the necessary requirements under Arizona law and if this purchase falls under that law.
Good luck.