AG Van Hollen: Settles action against Wisconsin internet company, TV Market Place LLC, for unfair and deceptive trade practices

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“Consumers have a right to expect that when a company offers a deal, they see it through,” said Van Hollen. “We will continue to work with our state agency partners to ensure that Wisconsin’s laws protecting consumers from false and deceptive trade practices are enforced.”

MADISON —Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that his office has obtained a consent judgment against a Wisconsin based internet company and its two owners, requiring restitution for complainants, as well as $40,000 in forfeitures, fees, and costs. In late December 2007, the Attorney General’s office sued TV Marketplace, LLC, TV Market, LLC, TV Product, LLC, Your Store Online, LLC, internet companies that sell “As Seen On TV” products, as well as the companies’ owners Chris and Paul Reoch, residents of Brookfield, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

“Consumers have a right to expect that when a company offers a deal, they see it through” said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. “We will continue to work with our state agency partners to ensure that Wisconsin’s laws protecting consumers from false and deceptive trace practices are enforce.”

In 2006, these companies were investigated by Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (“DATCP”), for numerous violations of the State’s consumer protection laws. Hundreds of complaints received by DATCP and the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) from consumers around the country alleged, among other things, that the companies failed to deliver goods for which payments have been made, misrepresented the delivery time, and failed to provide refunds when requested by the consumers. At that time, Chris and Paul Reoch, on behalf of themselves and their companies, consented to a Special Order issued by DATCP, agreeing to cease and desist these unfair trade practices, and to implement a series of measures to prevent future violations.

Since the issuance of the Special Order, DATCP and the BBB continued to receive hundreds of complaints, and DATCP referred the investigation to the Attorney General for enforcement.

Under the terms of the current settlement, the companies and their owners must make reasonable efforts to resolve all outstanding complaints to the satisfaction of those consumers who filed complaints with the DATCP and the BBB. Further, defendants must pay a total of $40,000, under a specified payment schedule. If any payments are missed, the total will increase to $60,000 and Chris and Paul Reoch will automatically become liable for the judgment.

Assistant Attorney General Lara A. Sutherlin represented the State in this case, and investigative assistance was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.