Light Impressions problems

[Leigh]

From the FTC business guide to compliance with the Mail Order Rule:

"When you learn that you cannot ship on time, you must decide whether you will ever be able to ship the order.
If you decide that you cannot, you must promptly cancel the order and make a full refund.
If you decide you can ship the order later, you must seek the customer’s consent to the delay."

I have never read any report from a customer saying that LI requested consent for the delayed shipments.

The business guide is here: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bu...rchandise-rule
It's an easy-to-understand Q&A style document, not filled with legalize.

- Leigh

[BrianShaw]

p.s. Last year I dealt with another photo product company (run by an individual) who was having supplier problems. After tracking down his home phone number and (gently) lying to his wife to get him to talk, it was clear that he is a decent guy and the suppliers were the problem. That was later verified in a public statement from that supplier -- not with regard to him as an individual vendor, but their decision to stop supplying any non-corporate vendors. As nice as this guy is, he held my money and stopped communicating with full knowledge of what was happening. I had to get refunded via alternative methods when I should have got the refund directly from him much sooner. He's not a thief but more of a bad businessman -- he should have told me what was going on so I could go my merry way and find an alternative solution (which, interestingly... he could have offered from his existing catalog/stock). That is similar to what is going on with LIO and it is self-centered (at best) and both legally and ethically wrong at worst. so whether it is 'thievery" or not (and I do agree with y ou that thievery involves intent), there is clearly intent to not do the right thing.

[Leigh]

The problem with getting a refund through the CC company is the following requirement:

"Send your letter so that it reaches the credit card issuer within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you."

This is a matter of federal law. The CC company can and will reject your claim if you're over the 60 days, even by one day.

The inappropriate charge to your CC is considered an "error" under the law, so this rule applies unconditionally.

Most people who related their experiences were quoted shipping schedules significantly beyond the 60-day limit,
so they probably did not look for a charge immediately.

The page on the FTC website that discusses improper CC billing is: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...dit/cre28.shtm

- Leigh

[muskedear]

Today, I received a reimbursement check from Light Impressions for an order I placed in 2010 and which was never fulfilled. Just be a little more patient - their processing time seems to be around 2 years :-;

[Leigh]

So they got free use of your money for two years.

Pretty good interest rate (for them).

- Leigh

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

not really. What has interest been the last two years? 1 %? Maybe less.

[Leigh]

not really. What has interest been the last two years? 1 %? Maybe less.

More than they paid.

- Leigh

[DennisD]

not really. What has interest been the last two years? 1 %? Maybe less.

YES, REALLY !
Look at it this way...
They need money to run their business...
If The company was lucky enough to get a bank loan... (doubtful)
And lucky enough that their banker gave a loan at Prime (3.5%) ... (Even more doubtful),
Perhaps they wind up having to borrow at some higher rate 5, 6, 7%, whatever,

Your money + all the other hundreds of customers' $$$ on hold x whatever higher rate of interest applies, X # of months or years ... All adds up to a tidy sum.

You're right, admittedly rates are low, but there's nothing like an interest free loan !

Hopefully everyone's deposits don't get spent on rent and the money is returned when all is said and done.

[yuexiachou29]

do they even sell archival box? I went to the website, all i saw were framing supplies.

My experience with them has been good as well.

[Jim Noel]

Forget it. You will be lucky if you ever get your product or a refund. This company has had trouble for several years and is not worth fooling with any more. Too bad. The previous owners were terrific.