Call Kurtis: Grilled
TURLOCK (CBS13) -- A Turlock couple ordered thousands of dollars worth of BBQ appliances. But half a year later, they only got half their order.
When they got tired of waiting, they called Kurtis.
This is not the first complaint we've received about Direct to Home Appliances based in San Francisco.
Customers say they pay upfront, but then, don't get what they paid for.
What's going on here?
"This guy must have no conscience. I mean, to do this to people," says Dolores Anderson, Turlock resident.
Dolores and Ralph Anderson only got half their $3,860.12 order of barbeque appliances from online company Direct to Home Appliances.
"I was getting stressed out and she was getting stressed out," says Ralph.
Especially since it's been six months and they paid an extra $199 for express shipping.
Although the company claims to take credit cards online, the Anderson's say the company required a check for the full amount instead.
The check was cashed, so where's the other half of their order?
"I think they're doing this intentionally," says Ralph.
You may remember Kimberly Teague of Sacramento went through the same thing.
We told you how she was left with a hole in her barbeque island for four months after Direct to Home Appliances didn't send her kitchen drawers.
"They'll ship next week, they'll ship next week, worst case scenario they'll ship July 29th," says Kimberly.
When we got involved in her case, the shipment finally showed up.
So what's the holdup with the Anderson's?
The company owner is now telling us, he's having financial problems.
And according to John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy with the Telecommunications and Fraud National Consumers League, there may have been some red flags.
"If they are marketing and saying we take all these forms of payment and then they say, we actually only take check, I'd walk away from that transaction at that point," says John.
Both the Anderson's and Kimberly say they agreed to pay by check because of Direct to Home's great prices.
"If you're shopping online and you see a web site that's offering merchandise for a price way below what other comparable web sites are offering it for, that may be a red flag," says John.
The company made four promises to refund the Anderson's money but hasn't followed through.
"We just want people to know... do not deal with them, that they're not a reputable company and they don't live up to what they promise," says Dolores.
Direct to Home told us yesterday, it plans to re-pay the Anderson's in installments.
They say they didn't wrong anyone intentionally.
They're trying their best and want to make good on their debt.
The company has 245 complaints with the BBB and also goes by the names "Chooseoutdoorkitchens.com" and "Choosehottubsdirect.com."
Since our first story aired, we know of at least one manufacturer that has stopped doing business with Direct to Home.
Direct to Home Appliances Statement:
The reality is we are just a 2 year inexperienced start up, and at the same time we hit the hardest economic downturn in a century. We are trying our best, and nothing can be further from the truth than us wronging any customer intentionally. We keep tabs on all situations and customer that we may owe, and when our financial situation gets better, our intent is to make good with all debt.
We would like to know what we could do to stop the story, if it's still possible. Or at least convince you that we are trying over here.
Steve Barbarich
Owner
Official Cal Flame Statement:
"At Cal Flame, we choose our valued dealers based on honesty and integrity. Due to the high number of customer complaints and negative feedback we have received regarding chooseOutdoorKitchens.com (also known as DirectToHomeAppliances.com), we have decided to cancel their dealership. We have asked chooseOutdoorKitchens.com to remove all Cal Flame products from their web site, effective immediately. We highly encourage customers to visit our web site at www.calflamebbq.com <http://www.calflamebbq.com> to locate a dealer in their area for all future Cal Flame purchases."
