The lawsuit says there are two specific promises that Cash4Gold makes and breaks: 1) that there is a 12-day return policy and 2) items sent in will be handled with the highest care. Cash4Gold breaks the first, claims the lawsuit, when checks are received by customers either after the return period is over or close to it, or when the company melts the jewelry before the expiration of the return period - allegedly a frequent occurrence.
Cash4Gold breaks the second when it "repeatedly 'loses' the items sent," frequently blaming the mail service for "an absurdly high number of 'lost' items," according to the suit.
The lawsuit says, "These promises are lies. In a massive scheme to defraud tens of thousands of consumers throughout the nation, Cash4gold breaks both of its well-publicized promises with abandon, all the while committing a series of other frauds and misconduct, including attempts to silence former employees who dare to expose this fraud."
Furthermore, Cash4Gold employs "a deliberately frustrating so-called "customer service" system which results in most individuals eventually giving up attempting to receive compensation for their "lost" or greatly under appraised jewelry."
The various techniques Cash4Gold customer service reps use to delay and discourage consumers from getting their money's worth or their gold back illustrate how Cash4gold's "institutional culture is corrupt to its very core, designed at all levels to commit fraud," says the lawsuit, which seeks treble damages.
Reached for comment, Cash4Gold responded, "Cash4Gold has not been served with a complaint and therefore has no comment at this time."
Read the entire lawsuit here. (PDF)
More information about the suit can be found in the press release on the plaintiff's lawyer's website.
PREVIOUSLY:
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3 more: Karma, Karma, Chameleon
]]>What would really be fitting is for the discovery in this case to reveal enough that a state AG will get the bit in his mouth and put these guys out of business altogether.
]]>A little roll reversal eh?
Just watch out for the CEO, if Subway Jared were to have an evil little man on his shoulder telling him to eat disgusting things I would expect it to look like him.
Gold condom, slightly used?
]]>@nstonep:
Also remember RICO covers basically anything the feds think it should cover, it was purposely written vaguely so that they could nail organized crime groups.
Basically, if the judge finds that they are guilty, that would amount to Mail Fraud, which would fall under RICO and the FBI could step in. I think.
]]>How about some mail fraud.
]]>Consumerist, once again, this article is good stuff.
]]>No response from Cash4GoldResponse?
]]>Oh I'll just come in again.
]]>They have no pennies. Only gold doubloons.
]]>"Hi, this is Ben from the Consumerist. You know, the website you tried to sue because we reported you were complete sleezeballs. I noticed you are now being sued by your customers for being sleezeballs, do you care to comment on your upcoming sleezeball trial?
]]>@dorianh49: And Joe Francis. What with the hair and the gold chains and general air of douchebaggery.
]]>@angryneo: a cross between goldmember and fat bastard?
]]>@logicalnoise: Ruthless efficiency!
]]>@Consumerist-Moderator-Roz: blows kisses and hearts at Roz thank you!
]]>This for a lot of companies is a perfect example of an excellent, profit generating customer service system. More and more now, customer service policies are designed to prevent customers from extracting any kind of money or compensation from the company. Once they have your money, they don't want to give it up. EVER.
]]>@FatLynn: That guy has the kind of expression that screams "self-entitle asshole". Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.
]]>3 words: Karma, Karma, Karma
]]>@8abhive: I will certainly second that. I used to work in a State Farm call center. Everything was so scripted there was no way I could help folks with even the simplest issue without first alienating the customer. I eventually could but often I ended up pissing off the customer something fierce before I was able to finally get to helping them. It comes down to the simple fact that in order to provide good customer service, a company has to be willing to open itself to criticism...then take action to correct it.
]]>@redskull: Its all in his turkey neck.
]]>The case was well known in his office because it was the first he'd ever seen with RICO in it. So, yes, it is possible for civil matters to use RICO.
]]>I didn't read about it, but if I could make a profit from it hell yeah!
]]>His photo does nothing to help his case. I mean come on...if you own a company like this one...you best hire a clean cut looking PR guy to field all media inquires...especially if you look like Guido here. I'm just trying to point out the power that perception plays in business. The internet has become such a powerful consumer tool...how many of you regular consumerist readers have ordered a Dominos' pizza this summer??
]]>You're kidding.
]]>@Trai_Dep:
I think the Gods would be happy to make this guy into the new Midas.
]]>@FatLynn: He looks like a fat, tacky loser like rest of the typical hariy chested over kill gold wearing group with bad attitudes and narrow minded thought process.
]]>How does one join said lawsuit?
]]>Something similar in what I had proposed earlier in filing a Finding suit with the courts against the banks.
]]>Here is a photo of said racketeerer:
@Consumerist-Moderator-Roz: All hail the almighty Roz! :)
]]>Unfortunately, this will probably see an out-of-court settlement, and Cash4Gold will continue to defraud the elderly and the desperate for literally pennies on the dollar for their jewelry.
At least at a sleazy pawn shop, you know you're getting screwed, and can say no and walk out.
]]>That guy reminds me of Horatio Sanz in the "Stavenhagen's Food Pawn Shop" skit.
"But instead, we pay you a dollar for it and laugh in your face."
]]>Oh and I'm still tempted to request an envelope from them, take a giant rock and spray paint it gold, and send it in with the business relpy costing them hundreds in postage fees. evil? maybe..
]]>Links to the lawsuit are broken =/ I'd really like to read it too please fix! Thanks~
]]>That. Guy. Wants. To. Eat. Me.
]]>Hope the lawsuit will milk them for every single penny they've got.
]]>![[www.mwctoys.com]](http://www.mwctoys.com/images/RocketeerLooseSide.jpg){kind=link}