You may also go to YouTube to watch the full press conference.
At the very beginning of the pandemic back in March, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, along with New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, received complaints from New Rochelle residents that retail stores were refusing to make deliveries into New Rochelle when part of the city was under a containment zone ordered by Governor Cuomo. This matter was referred to the Westchester Office of Consumer Protection.
After a detailed review of the facts provided by the consumers with the subject delivery disputes and the applicable law, several complaints were filed against the national retailer stores for unconscionable trade practices under Westchester's Consumer Protection Code. The retailers were:
- Home Depot
- Peloton
- Pottery Barn (Williams-Sonoma, Inc.)
- Sears
The Consumer Protection Office found the retailers to be responsive and had interaction with both the corporate office and local stores to investigate the complaints. Once the retailers were made aware of the business practices that violated the law, they worked diligently to settle the complaints and take corrective actions.
Consumer Protection's number one priority was to help the consumers that came forward to make the complaints, and after negotiations, all of the retail stores ensured that the customers did receive the purchased item or a refund.
All four matters have subsequently been resolved with the Consumer Protection Office. All four companies signed consent decrees agreeing they would not commit such business practices again, they would comply with Westchester's laws, and paid combined fines of about $7000 to Westchester County.