A Richmond company has received an F rating by the B.C. Better Business Bureau (BBB) because of numerous complaints against it for not delivering the product or refunding customers.
Co-operation Garments Distributor Ltd., owned by Kenny Cheuk, has accumulated 19 complaints in the past three years, with nine filed in the past 12 months, according to Mark Fernandez of the BBB.
"We've had no response from the business yet, which becomes a major concern for us," said Fernandez. "We've attempted to phone and obtain background information, but nothing yet."
Cheuk's business sells corporately branded uniforms, garments, or merchandise for companies such as auto services.
The complaints to the BBB involve companies who have ordered a particular product, and have either given a deposit or paid in full, but haven't received neither their order nor a refund.
Eighteen of the 19 complaints are in regards to delivery issues, with the remaining one about a product problem, according to the BBB's website.
"We had been working with him for a few years and never had any issues," said Rick Gallicano, manager of Midtown Trucks. "But this particular order was placed in January. There had been no indication of a change in attitude then on his part, but I still haven't gotten my money back, or the order."
Gallicano had ordered promotional items worth $1,000, and had paid the money up front. When he didn't receive the product, or hear from Cheuk, he bought additional items elsewhere. He finally heard from Cheuk a few months later, who had been out of town and promised Gallicano a refund, which has yet to be received.
Gallicano has placed about five orders of the same amount with Co-operation Garments. In the past, he would pay 50 per cent at first and then the balance upon receipt of the order. However, with the last order, Cheuk said he needed the money up front because he would be away for a while.
"At the time, it didn't strike me as odd, but I guess it should have," said Gallicano. "And I know he's still around because I'm still getting solicitation faxes, but I wouldn't use him again."
Most of the companies who used Co-operation Garments found out about the business through its periodic fax blasts - advertisements using faxes, offering sales and deals on items.
The business's location has since moved from No. 3 Road to Hammersmith Way, where it is renting from Outfit Apparel, according to Fernandez.
Cheuk did not respond to phone calls by deadline.
