Complaint Review: Kaufman's Wedding World - Altoona Pennsylvania

I worked at Kaufman's and Sons my Sophomore year of high school. What an experience that was! First of all, let me state that Ira Kaufman is a lawyer in New York City - so shouldn't he be ethical, and know proper working conditions for minors? I was 15. I worked more hours than allowed, with no breaks. In fact, they found me in the freezing cold basement convulsing one night because I hadn't eaten and was in sugar shock! The dresses were disgusting, they were filthy and often sold off the floor after some of Altoona's finest trailer trash had them on their dirty bodies. I'm so glad the place closed. But i'm sure they'll pop up again!

Is Cartier Bridal a member of the Better Business Bureau? And what are their locations (near defunk Kaufman's?) so that I may check the BBB for other bridal consumers. I thank you kindly for your assistance.

We at Cartir Bridal are willing to assist as many Kaufman brides as we can. We will do everything to help get you situated for your day. We can be on the phone with our vendors to see what you can get and how fast if necessary. Call us at 540-542-1779. We are not located far from many of the kaufmans stores and we have a great reputation and care about our brides. Ask about our upcoming bridal show!!

Each and everyone of you all can think all day long about a story to spread about what you think went on at the closing at Kaufman's Wedding World. I have news for all of you...You are not the only ones that want to know. I myself did not work at the store in Altoona, I worked at a different store that does not need to be named. Let me tell you that on Tuesday of the week we closed we were told that our paychecks would be arriving within one hour, the next 45 minutes we were called and told to leave the store because they are closing all the stores. That very news left over 250 people with out jobs, and over 4 weeks of pay that we may never see. I am not sticking up for Kaufmans, Harry and Margret, but I will stand up for Ira Kaufman. He has put endless hours of work into this business, he has given everything he has to try to make things better. Ira's brother David who ran many stores in the PA and Md areas quit the company unexpectedly and left they in a mess. He took off with alot of money and they are not sure where he is. Ira worked really hard to get another company to take over Wedding World. Alfred Angelo company was supossed to purchase Wedding World, fill all the orders and make everything much much better. They pulled from the deal at the very last moment. Thus leaving Ira in a terrible situation, if he would have known that they were going to do this, he could have come up with another plan. As far as knowing what will happen in the future, the employees went into the stores to give out the order information and try to help the customers. We, the employees, are waiting just like all of you. Bashing here and there will not get us anywhere, hopefully Ira Kaufman doesnt read these so his life will be easier. Wishing evil on someone is a little over the edge, afterall, your daughters will be married at the end of the day, and you should concentrate on her marriage and not so much the wedding. Good luck to all of you, and Best wishes. I would not wish evil on the Kaufmans, but I do believe in Karma, and if Harry and Margret had any idea this would happen, what goes around comes around....

To Anonymous - Friend of Ira Kaufman. If Mr. Kaufman felt so bad, why does he play games with the court system, ignore court ordered mediators, file for appeals then not show up to court? If he feels so bad maybe he should start by paying back all the people who have already spent their money, taken Kaufman's to court and won our judgments?? I wouldn't believe a word Harry, Margaret or Ira Kaufman say.

If Ira Kaufman was so sorry about what happened why didn't he return my many calls. I don't buy your sob story for a second. He knew what he was doing and he ripped people off. Even when the court ordered him to open the Boardman store today to give the paid for dresses to customers, he chose to ignore it. The brides, like my daughter trying to repurchase dresses for a September 25th wedding are the real victims. Your email was a joke. I really don't know how Ira Kaufman can live with himself.

I can't believe that you would stick up for such a company, I am sorry that you have been mis-lead, but it's time to wake-up and understand whats going on and HAS been going on. You and I both know these girls aren't going to get there dresses nor there money, I am glad they are out of business actually, I am mad that it took this long. They deserve everything they get if not more. What goes around comes around, and its finally there turn......

money talks. so where and when are the refunds coming? i hope no one holds their breath waiting. guarantee you, he is full of it and so are you employee who is more than likely the ass0hole owner posing as an employee. this is nothing more than a ploy to hold off authorities from him being arrested. he knew what he was doing and has our money.

Maybe The Kaufman's weren't the best buisness people, but they certainly don't deserve what they are getting. I personally know Ira Kaufman, and I spoke with him earlier today. He feels awful about the situation before him. First on his list of priorities is to get customers their refunds. I dont know how much more suffering you can ask of him and his family because they just lost everything. Most importantly, myself and over 200 employees have lost their jobs. So now I hope you can live with the fact you wish pain upon someone!

I am in a similar situation. From what I've read, the store reopenings will only benefit those who have dresses already in the store - not those of us who need refunds. Filing a chargeback with your credit card company is a good start. Unfortunately, I also have a BM who paid by debit card which is only slightly better than a check. Go to the attorneygeneral dot gov site and find the form for Consumer Complaints through the Bureau of Consumer Protection. The PA Att. General has over 150 complaints re: Kaufman's already. I'm filing my report this weekend hoping that if there is some recourse for getting a refund it will help. You can also read the press releases on the front page of the web site. Best of luck working with the manufacturers and getting your money back.