We get letters: From a reader in the Chicago
area:

“My husband and I hope that you
will include a warning to future consumers, even though it is very likely they
will be out of business soon. But again, we want no one else to be taken
advantage of during such an important time. Below I have included the
submission I have made to the newspapers and tv channels in the Chicagoland
area.

On January 14, 2006, my husband and
I purchased furniture from the store chain My Child?s Room, specifically
the Aurora store location. We purchased a crib, dresser, mattress, and
convertible rails totaling $1500.00. We were told that our order would be
delivered within 6-8 weeks.

As a first
time parent, very eager to have the nursery set up, I began contacting the store
in the middle of March to find out the apx. date of arrival of our furniture. I
was told 2-3 weeks. 2 weeks later I called, and my consumer nightmare
began.

On our billing statement, it
stated that April 14th was the absolute last date the furniture would arrive.
April 14th came and went with numerous phone calls to the store and speaking
with associates. In that time we were given a corporate phone number that
automatically goes to a voicemail. We were finally told by the store associates
that we should cancel our order, because they do not know IF or WHEN the
furniture will arrive. Finally on April 20th we canceled the order.

In the time being I had contacted the
manufacturer of the furniture who informed me it had been sitting in their
warehouse since February. The manufacturer directed me to order the furniture
from a store called BABY USA in Wisconsin. I should be receiving the furniture
within the week. Upon contacting the Wisconsin store, I was informed that My
Child?s Room is not paying their bills, thus the furniture is being held.

My husband and I are not the only people
in this situation. All we want is our money back and that is not happening. We
have been told for the last 2 weeks that the credit card machine is down. This
morning, April 28, when we called for a check to be mailed to us, we were also
told that was not possible. YET WE FOUND OUT THIS MORNING THAT THE STORE IS
STILL TAKING ORDERS!!!! At this point, it is more important to us that no one
else loose a large sum of money AND give this store any business.

The Better Business Bureau as of
yesterday, April 27, had gone from 89 complaints a week earlier to 100
complaints against this store chain in 36
months.

Our son arrived Easter morning
healthy and happy. As a new family, we hope you will consider this story, so
every other family?s precious arrival in the Chicagoland area will not
have the added stress of dealing with unethical business
practices.”

Thank You for your
Consideration–
Nicole B.