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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

State Busts Aggressive| Door-to-Door Sales Outfit

SEATTLE (CN) - Washington's Attorney General says door-to-door salesmen for an Aerus Electrolux vacuum cleaner franchise targeted old people in high-pressure sales pitches, lied about their products, sold old appliances as new, and refused to leave people's houses even after they "indicated that they could not afford the product, had no need for the product, or had requested that the product demonstration or sales presentation end."

Attorney General Robert McKenna sued KAN-AM LLC, an Aerus Electrolux franchise, and its sole owner, Mehrdad Shafapay, in King County Court.

The salesmen claimed to be making service calls, but once inside they pitched their vacuum cleaners, carpet shampooers and other appliances and refused to leave, the state says.

Many customers were elderly, had poor eyesight, impaired hearing, and couldn't use the products even if they wanted them, due to their age or disability, the state says. Customers who gave in were often sold used products misrepresented as new, were not given trade-in or down payment credit as promised, were not given accessories included in the contract and were not allowed to cancel the sale.

The state seeks damages for violations of the Consumer Protection Act, restitution and injunctive relief.

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