Guess who sits at the head of the table for Harlem Furniture; World Financial Network Bank, which is a subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation. Alliance Data Systems Corporation had sales of $1,227.5 Million in 2004. I wonder how they factor in the scheme of my writings. Well, they just may answer that question. World Financial Network Bank demands your credit score be 650+ to acquire furniture at Harlem Furniture???????
If your credit score is not 650+, Harlem Furniture uses Great American Finance Company to finance their customers at a rate of 28.23%. Be careful of what you purchase at their stores. I am paying almost 50% of the purchase price as calculated with this interest rate. The amount I financed is $2721.63. I have a two-year agreement. I will pay $870.69 for financing $2721.63. As a consumer, you should go somewhere else to purchase your furniture. Great American Finance Company operates as "loan sharks" do on the street. I wonder why our laws allow a company to use such high interest rates.
As the letter of November 11, 2005 reports, I was disrespected by one of the sales associates at Harlem Furniture. For the Harlem Furniture Sales Associate's unprofessional character and behavior toward me, Harlem furniture has decided to take the "delivery" charge off of one of my purchases. I bought a bedroom set and a dining set. Evidently, Harlem Furniture was going to charge me two (2) delivery charges for one purchase. A person is disrespected in the store by one of their own and they believe taking the "one" of delivery charges off of my purchase satisfies me. This is how Harlem Furniture does business.
Examine the letters I have written about their service, and decide if this is where you want to make a purchase.
Any store you go to that is using Great American Finance Company as their financing agent, is a bad deal. Go somewhere else. Go anywhere. You might as well find a loan shark on the street or a drug dealer to loan you the money.
November 14, 2005
Alliance Data Systems Corporation World Financial Network Bank
J. Michael Parks, Chairman, President & CEO Ivan M. Szeftel, CEO
17655 Waterview Pkwy 800 TechCenter Drive
Dallas, Texas 75252 Gahanna, Ohio 43230
Re: Harlem Furniture: Glenwood Illinois
Gentlemen:
Please read the letters attached. This is what a customer encounters when purchasing items from stores you invest in and possibly own. I have still more research to do on World Financial Network Bank, subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation.
What I do know is World Financial Network Bank owns and issues Harlem Furniture accounts. My wife and I were told unless our credit scores were 650+ we would be denied an account with Harlem Furniture. Gentlemen, your corporation is part of the problem I discuss in the letters attached.
A customer is forced to deal with an unscrupulous company like Great American Finance Company because of your credit rating system. I know you will say that everyone operates in the manner you display. That may be true, but it takes a pioneer to adopt a system of fairness and opportunity.
Alliance Data Systems Corporation had sales in 2004 of $1,227.5 Million dollars. This is off the backs of honest working people who have to put up with a system such as Harlem Furniture and unprofessional Sales Associates.
There should not have been a commission on the sale/purchase my wife made because of how we were treated. Elva, an employee of Harlem Furniture, told me today that Harlem Furniture puts a delivery charge on every item they sale. For example, my wife and I purchased a bedroom set and a dining room set that will be delivered on the same day under one contract. We have only one contract for the purchases of a bedroom set and a dining set. We were charged two delivery charges. One delivery charge was taken off as an apology for how I was disrespected by a Sales Associate. Would this satisfy you if you were purchasing any item? When was the last time you gentlemen went to a store and the Sales person disrespected you?
Harlem Furniture would not allow my wife and I to purchase the bedroom set we wanted. Great American Finance Company would not give an okay on the price, even though they would be the last people we would want to finance anything. Nevertheless, what choice do we have when we are denied credit with Harlem Furniture, which is controlled by World Financial Network Bank, because are credit score is not 650+. Our credit scores are what they are. My wife’s credit score is what it is.
My wife and I are victims of corporate deceit and unprofessional staff. I will publish this writing, as I have the others in my journal reports, and post it on my website at: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/. What is your response? What part do you play in the scheme of things presented here? What is your responsibility? All consumers need to know the type of company you invest in and own. A child’s integrity should and must mirror the integrity of the father. You are the parent company. What will you do? What is justice and equality to you, Gentlemen? Where does fairness fall with you? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
November 12, 2005
Harlem Furniture, The Roomplace
Mr. Aaron Carson, Assistant Manager
18325 South Halsted Street
Glenwood, Illinois 60425
Re: Compensation for Insult
Mr. Carson:
As I looked over our purchase order and thinking about the compensation we received from Harlem Furniture for being disrespected in your store, I find your offer humiliating and embarrassing.
We made one purchase from your store, yet your store was about to charge us two (2) delivery charges. As you well know, we purchased a bedroom set and a dining room set. This is one purchase. There is one contract, therefore, it is one sale.
As compensation or good faith for the unprofessional behavior of a Sales Associate of Harlem Furniture, you presented to us an act, which is debasing and demeaning. To state that you were not charging us for a delivery charge on our dining set is an act of pretense and deceit. Do you usually charge your customer’s a delivery charge for each item bought in your stores? If so, the public needs to be aware of your business practices. You presented the offer of taking the “delivery” charge off of our dining set as an apology for the unprofessionalism of an employee of Harlem Furniture.
We asked to be compensated by eliminating the commission on the sale. You stated the unprofessional employee would not receive any commission, but you put yourself on our sales receipt as the recipient of the commission of this sale.
I am publishing my writings on the business practices of Harlem Furniture in my journal reports, and posting them along with the other writing on my website at: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/, for public viewing hoping to give information so people can make better informed decisions about buying furniture from Harlem Furniture.
My suggestion to my readers is Harlem Furniture’s business practices need to be investigated.
Fred Nance Jr.
November 11, 2005
Harlem Furniture, The Roomplace
Mr. Aaron Carson, Assistant Manager
18325 South Halsted Street
Glenwood, Illinois 60425
Re: Flyer from Sales Associate James Osby
Mr. Carson:
Please review the attached flyer sent to my wife and I from Mr. James Osby on Harlem Furniture stationery, which states, in part, “Hi Darlene & worse half (smile). Thanks again. Your Salesman, James Osby. How should I feel about the language used in this correspondence? Why would he call me her “worse half”? What is my wife supposed to think of this statement? Maybe you can get the answers to these questions from him.
I engaged you and requested a new salesperson, which you stepped up and assisted us with our purchase, because of the unprofessional practices of sales associate James Osby. For example, James stated to my wife and I, while assisting us with our purchase, that another woman customer “liked” him, and therefore he was treating and talking to her in a certain way and manner (I shall not mention the words in this open letter). If he treated this female customer like this, what do you think he may say or do to my wife if she shopped alone, as she did in the beginning of our search for a purchase of furniture at your store?
I believe training is the solution. I am a mental health professional by degree. I do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bath water. People understand things better when it effects their wallets and pockets.
Therefore, it is my suggestion and request that whatever commission Mr. Osby had coming out of this deal should go toward the purchase of lamps for our end tables to our bedroom set purchased. This would be a good gesture toward apology. This deal is not completed or finalized yet with Harlem Furniture.
I would like you to review my website: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/. I address issues such as reported above. I will not publish and post this letter at this time. The reason I publish and post to my website is to alert the public/consumer/customer to various social practices of government and private corporations and organizations.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
December 20, 2002
Harlem Furniture
Mr. Bruce Berman, President & CEO
1000-46 Rohlwing Rd.
Lombard, Illinois 60148
Re: 1216214PXCZD
Mr. Berman:
My name is Fred Nance Jr. On December 16, 2002 I entered into a verbal and preliminary contract with Harlem Furniture, Orland Park store. The verbal contract was the confirmation of your store manager reporting to me that the furniture I wanted to buy was in stock. The preliminary contract was the Harlem Furniture printed agreement, signed by me stating my agreement on this specific choice of furniture, which was supposed to be used to verify approval on financing.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2002, I received a call from my salesperson stating I was approved to purchase the furniture my wife and I chose. I went to the store to finalize the agreement. Upon finalization, I was told that the Love Seat/Chaise was not available. Not only was it not available, but also it would have to be ordered and I would have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. Your manager confirmed by looking on his computer, in front of me, that the merchandise, as he stated, was available on December 16, 2002.
I talked to Chris, your assistant manager, on December 18, 2002 about this issue. She told me that while I am waiting for this delivery, I would have to pay for the Love Seat/Chaise in my monthly payment, which starts 30 days after I receive delivery of my other merchandise. I think this is ludicrous. Why would I pay for merchandise I do not have? I discussed this issue with a financial expert who wondered why I was dealing with a company operating in this manner. I told him I honor contracts, and that I thought responsible companies honor contracts also. I hope this would be the discipline of your company, to honor contractual agreements whether they are verbal or written. Most consumers rely on salespeople giving honorable statements and companies honoring the statements of their salespersons since the salesperson represents the company. Delivery is set for December 24, 2002 between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm. Chris and I discussed alternatives.
My wife and I thought to buy some tables to go along with the living room furniture. Chris offered a 5% discount on the tables we chose. This was ludicrous. The tables, three in number, cost around $600.00. 5% would not even cover the tax, let alone any decrease in the interest rate and monthly payment. We chose not to buy the tables.
On December 20, 2002 I received a call from Ms. Eman at telephone number 630-972-3656 who stated I would not receive my nightstand until December 30, 2002. Is it assumed I can just take time off of work to accommodate last minute discretions with my contract agreement, whether it is verbal or written? What is wrong with your system where the consumer cannot rely on the statements of your salespeople? How can business thrive and continue in this manner? It may be because the consumer has not addressed the issues appropriately.
I asked Ms. Eman for your corporate phone number and for the President & CEO’s name. I was tired of this mess. She gave me the phone number to your corporate office, but declined to give me the President & CEO’s name. I stated to her that I wanted to complain about my issues and I needed a corporate manager’s name to put on a written statement. She still declined my request to address my correspondence to you by giving me your name.
I called the corporate office, obtained your name, and was told I would receive a call from customer relations. Ms. Joyce called me from corporate relations and reported my nightstand would be delivered on December 24, 2002.
Mr. Berman, my wife and I spent a couple of hours in your store deciding to buy the furniture we chose. We chose other packages, but decided not to get them when we found they were not in stock and could not be delivered before Christmas. The living room furniture is for my wife. The bedroom furniture is for my child. These are their Christmas presents. We chose Harlem Furniture to fulfill our dreams of buying this furniture after going to Homemakers and Wickes, in Orland Park.
Therefore, it is our hope some agreement can be set, by you, to accommodate this inconvenience. On December 20, 2002 I went back to the store in Orland Park to cancel the mattress we ordered, because we can use the mattress we have and it would lower our monthly payment. My wife thought we could buy the end tables as an exchange. I informed her that the end tables would total $600.00, and that the mattress was at a cost of about $300.00. We could not afford an increase in the monthly payment. Her suggestion was to put the tables in lay-away and pay $20.00 a month to make sure they will still be available. This is her mindset after this fiasco.
Please inform me of the alternatives in this situation. I am PhD candidate in Human Services with focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning. This appears to be a topic for research. In addition, Great American Finance and your contract, which displays a 28.23% Annual Percentage Rate, appears to illustrate an imbalance in understanding to the consumer when actually a consumer is charged 16% interest (as my contract displays). This appears to be an interesting study.
I hope to hear from you soon. Respectfully submitted,
Fred L. Nance Jr., M.A.
February 3, 2003
Harlem Furniture
Mr. Bruce Berman, President & CEO
1000-46 Rohlwing Rd.
Lombard, Illinois 60148
Re: 1216214PXCZD
Mr. Berman:
On December 20, 2002 I wrote a letter to you about the treatment I received during the purchase of furniture from Harlem Furniture. This is a follow-up letter.
On December 24, 2002 I received my furniture, minus the chair complained of in the first letter. According to my home phone bill I called Harlem Furniture’s distribution center at 630-972-3656 on December 24, 2002, and on January 4, 2003 at 630-739-4700. Regarding the phone number 630-739-4700 ext. 301, I spoke to Mr. Mike McGee who is no longer in Harlem Furniture’s employ.
The conversations I had with Mr. McGee was about the delivery of my Chair, which I complained of having to pay for yet I did not have it; and the Love Seat I purchased, supposedly new, which had a lengthy soiled mark of a black dirt-like substance along the left arm (left arm being the arm of the Love Seat when one is sitting in the Love Seat).
I have lobbied many days on the phone with Mr. McGee regarding these issues, and finally with Ms. Dale Kelton. Ms. Kelton took on the this task after the exit of Mr. McGee from Harlem Furniture. Ms. Kelton scheduled a furniture cleaning service, which Harlem Furniture contracts with, to come out and clean the arm of the Love Seat. I was not pleased with having bought new furniture that had to be cleaned. I adamantly expressed my dislike with this procedure to Ms. Kelton.
The representative of the furniture cleaning company came out to the house on February 1, 2003. He told me that he could not get the stain out, and that the Love Seat should be replaced. He also gave his professional opinion about the condition of the furniture, which was, to say the least, “how could someone sell you some furniture with a stain like this and not know it was there.” He told my wife she would be surprised of how many calls he gets to clean “new” furniture from various companies; and that, where the furniture is stored, in these warehouses, are dirty.
On February 3, 2003 I called and left a message with Ms. Kelton’s voice mail stating I wanted my Love Seat replaced with new furniture. Ms. Kelton called me at approximately 5:45 pm stating Harlem Furniture will replace the arm of the Love Seat. I told her I bought “new” furniture and I should receive “new” furniture. In addition, I told her I did not want to have the arm of the Love Seat replaced, but I wanted “new” furniture as I thought I bought. Ms. Kelton stated that the parts manager Ms. Sue Dittmer suggested Harlem Furniture replace the arm and not give me a “new” Love Seat. Ms. Kelton stated that this was a matter of company policy and replacing the arm of the Love Seat was a courtesy.
From the beginning, I informed Mr. Mike McGee I was a PhD candidate in Human Services with a focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning. With this study, comes research in the field of policy. From informed sources in the sale of furniture, I believe furniture that is to be cleaned by a furniture cleaning service contracted with a furniture company, such as Harlem Furniture, is solely for furniture that has been in the home for some time. This service is not generally structured for cleaning “new” furniture purchased as “new” furniture.
I informed Ms. Kelton that I would exhaust all remedies to achieve the purchase “new” furniture as I agreed too from Harlem Furniture. I informed Ms. Kelton that if I could not get my purchase of “new” furniture, I wanted Harlem Furniture to come and get their furniture and refund my money. Ms. Kelton stated that Harlem Furniture is never going to take the furniture back, and that she was documenting this statement I made, as I told her I was doing.
In addition, I am attaching this letter and the letter from December 20, 2002 to Harlem Furniture’s website, complaints. com, and BigClassAction.com.
I would hope to hear from you, Sir, regarding my plight in this situation. I thought I was getting some relief dealing with Mr. McGee. He was very professional and sounded sincere in addressing my needs. When he was on the issue of my furniture, he suggested Harlem Furniture may want to attempt to clean the furniture, but if the stain was determined uncleanable, Harlem Furniture would replace the soiled furniture with “new” furniture as I purchased. He never said anything about having the arm of my Love Seat taken off and replaced. By the way, how is that done? It sounds ludicrous.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Nance Jr., M.A.
cc: http://www.complaints.com/
http://www.bigclassaction.com/
February 3, 2003
Harlem Furniture
Mr. Bruce Berman, President & CEO
1000-46 Rohlwing Rd.
Lombard, Illinois 60148
Re: 1216214PXCZD
Mr. Berman:
On December 20, 2002 I wrote a letter to you about the treatment I received during the purchase of furniture from Harlem Furniture. This is a follow-up letter.
On December 24, 2002 I received my furniture, minus the chair complained of in the first letter. According to my home phone bill I called Harlem Furniture’s distribution center at 630-972-3656 on December 24, 2002, and on January 4, 2003 at 630-739-4700. Regarding the phone number 630-739-4700 ext. 301, I spoke to Mr. Mike McGee who is no longer in Harlem Furniture’s employ.
The conversations I had with Mr. McGee was about the delivery of my Chair, which I complained of having to pay for yet I did not have it; and the Love Seat I purchased, supposedly new, which had a lengthy soiled mark of a black dirt-like substance along the left arm (left arm being the arm of the Love Seat when one is sitting in the Love Seat).
I have lobbied many days on the phone with Mr. McGee regarding these issues, and finally with Ms. Dale Kelton. Ms. Kelton took on the this task after the exit of Mr. McGee from Harlem Furniture. Ms. Kelton scheduled a furniture cleaning service, which Harlem Furniture contracts with, to come out and clean the arm of the Love Seat. I was not pleased with having bought new furniture that had to be cleaned. I adamantly expressed my dislike with this procedure to Ms. Kelton.
The representative of the furniture cleaning company came out to the house on February 1, 2003. He told me that he could not get the stain out, and that the Love Seat should be replaced. He also gave his professional opinion about the condition of the furniture, which was, to say the least, “how could someone sell you some furniture with a stain like this and not know it was there.” He told my wife she would be surprised of how many calls he gets to clean “new” furniture from various companies; and that, where the furniture is stored, in these warehouses, are dirty.
On February 3, 2003 I called and left a message with Ms. Kelton’s voice mail stating I wanted my Love Seat replaced with new furniture. Ms. Kelton called me at approximately 5:45 pm stating Harlem Furniture will replace the arm of the Love Seat. I told her I bought “new” furniture and I should receive “new” furniture. In addition, I told her I did not want to have the arm of the Love Seat replaced, but I wanted “new” furniture as I thought I bought. Ms. Kelton stated that the parts manager Ms. Sue Dittmer suggested Harlem Furniture replace the arm and not give me a “new” Love Seat. Ms. Kelton stated that this was a matter of company policy and replacing the arm of the Love Seat was a courtesy.
From the beginning, I informed Mr. Mike McGee I was a PhD candidate in Human Services with a focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning. With this study, comes research in the field of policy. From informed sources in the sale of furniture, I believe furniture that is to be cleaned by a furniture cleaning service contracted with a furniture company, such as Harlem Furniture, is solely for furniture that has been in the home for some time. This service is not generally structured for cleaning “new” furniture purchased as “new” furniture.
I informed Ms. Kelton that I would exhaust all remedies to achieve the purchase “new” furniture as I agreed too from Harlem Furniture. I informed Ms. Kelton that if I could not get my purchase of “new” furniture, I wanted Harlem Furniture to come and get their furniture and refund my money. Ms. Kelton stated that Harlem Furniture is never going to take the furniture back, and that she was documenting this statement I made, as I told her I was doing.
In addition, I am attaching this letter and the letter from December 20, 2002 to Harlem Furniture’s website, complaints. com, and BigClassAction.com.
I would hope to hear from you, Sir, regarding my plight in this situation. I thought I was getting some relief dealing with Mr. McGee. He was very professional and sounded sincere in addressing my needs. When he was on the issue of my furniture, he suggested Harlem Furniture may want to attempt to clean the furniture, but if the stain was determined uncleanable, Harlem Furniture would replace the soiled furniture with “new” furniture as I purchased. He never said anything about having the arm of my Love Seat taken off and replaced. By the way, how is that done? It sounds ludicrous.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Nance Jr., M.A.
cc: http://www.complaints.com/
http://www.bigclassaction.com/
February 7, 2003
Mr. Jesse Jackson Sr.
Rainbow/Push Coalition
LaSalle Street Bureau
208 So. LaSalle St., Suite 1277
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Re: Harlem Furniture
Dear Sir:
My name is Fred L. Nance Jr. My wife, Darlene Nance, and I are members of Rainbow/Push Coalition. My uncle, Otha Nance, is a well-respected member and organizer of Rainbow/Push Coalition. Mr. Otha Nance has been with the Rainbow/Push Coalition for many years.
My family is suffering a tremendous injustice with Harlem Furniture. I am attaching three letters I have written to Harlem Furniture regarding our plight. These letters are to inform you of the plight that may be suffered by many people. The injustices suffered are being minimized and exploited.
It is my hope you contact my uncle, as I will, and express my need to spread this information to the public at-large making sure that injustices like ours is never allowed to happen to others. My uncle lives on the Westside of Chicago.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L. Nance Jr., M.A.
cc: Mr. Bruce Berman, President & CEO
