FWS Furniture closes without warning

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Long-standing FWS Furniture has been closed, leaving an untold number of customers in the lurch.

The closing of the furniture store that has been open for more than 50 years may seem sudden, but News 4 has found the company has been in deep trouble with its customers for months.

Peggy Penders of the Better Business Bureau said, "We currently have 55 complaints filed over the last 12 months. A number of those have been filed since August of this year."

Most of those complaints involve furniture that was ordered, but never received.

Nick, an FWS customer, said, "It was very aggravating. You were promised two weeks, but then you'd call in after the two weeks and they'd say, 'Well, it's going to be another six to eight weeks.'"

After three months of waiting, Lynn canceled her order. She expected to get her $837-refund.

"I said, 'I'd like my money back, please.' Well, then I was informed by the manager that the company was for sale and all the accounts had been frozen," Lynn said.

And the most serious complaints against FWS?

Penders said, "We have reports of refunds that have been received through checks, and unfortunately some of those have bounced."

MORE | Want to make your own complaint with the BBB? You can do so online right here

Nick said, "Every time I would call and say I wanted to speak to my salesman, I would never get a call back."

"I have no idea when I'm going to get the money back. Customer service has been atrocious. And it's just very, very aggravating; and a terrible way to do business," Lynn added.

The store ownership changed hands back in 2010. Now when you call the number for the business whose commercial jingle is a staple on WNY television, a recording informs you:

"Thank you for calling FWS. We are currently closed for regular business operations. Due to difficult economic conditions and a decline in the home furnishing sales industry in western New York, FWS is no longer in business. The assets of the company have been turned over to a secure creditor. The secure creditor is in the process of hiring an agent to manage the closing. If you have an outstanding order, please leave your name, phone number and order number. You will be contacted by the agent when they are in place. Thank you for calling."