Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/17/2024

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am writing to file a formal complaint against Windy City Liquidation regarding Order #*****. On Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:51 AM EST, I purchased a CanArm XFS24 fan from their website, windycityliquidation.com. The item cost was $84.99, and the shipping cost was $169.99.After placing the order, I received an email from the retailer stating they could not ship to my specified address because it was a *** store and they were using ***** Freight. They suggested an alternative address or pickup from the nearest ***** Freight terminal. I responded, confirming that my specified address could accept freight shipments.The retailer then changed their reason for not shipping, requesting a notarized letter from the store manager authorizing the shipment and accepting responsibility for it. I explained that ***** Freight delivers to this location daily and provided the stores contact information. Despite this, the retailer persisted in their demand for a notarized letter, citing concerns about potential scams.I requested to speak with a supervisor to resolve the issue. However, despite multiple requests via email and a phone call on July 16, 2024, at 11:48 AM EST, I never received a call back from a supervisor.The retailer subsequently canceled my order without my consent on July 17, 2024, stating they were unable to ship to the provided address. This cancellation was unilateral and against the agreed terms of our transaction.I believe this constitutes a breach of contract. I entered into a legally binding agreement when I purchased the item and paid a significant amount for shipping. Windy City Liquidations refusal to ship to my specified address and their subsequent cancellation of my order without adequate justification or resolution violates this agreement.I request that Windy City Liquidation honor their contractual obligation by shipping the item to the address I provided, or alternatively, provide appropriate compensation for the inconvenience caused.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/18/2024

  The customer was asked to get a notarized letter to transfer authority of his signature to the 3rd party he was requesting to accept the freight on his behalf.  Unfortunately, in today's world, if we do not have proof of signature legally either by the customer or a transfer legally of that signature (notarized letter), the consumer can claim they didn't receive the item to their payment provider and get a full refund and keep the item because we cannot prove they authorized a 3rd party to accept the item on their behalf.  After multiple attempts to request the letter and a final notice that we would have to cancel the order if a letter couldn't be provided, the customer only responded with more arguments as to why we should ship without that letter so we proceeded to cancel and fully refund the customer.  While we understand this is disappointing to them, they are making egregious claims against our business thst hopefully will be deleted from public view.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/22/2024

  Complaint: 22004198
  
  I am rejecting this response because I strongly disagree with their characterization of the situation and clarify the following points:
  
  1.Initial Issue: The primary reason given by the business for not shipping my order initially was that the specified address, which is a *** store, could not accept freight shipments. I clarified that this location does indeed accept freight shipments.

  
  2.Notarized Letter Request: The business then shifted their reasoning, demanding a notarized letter authorizing the store manager to accept the shipment. It is important to note that in their correspondence to me, they never explicitly requested a transfer of authorization to a third party. They only requested a notarized letter stating that the store would accept responsibility for the shipment. This discrepancy is concerning.

  
  3.Provided Authorization: I provided the business with written confirmation that the *** store would accept the shipment and gave them contact information to verify this. I also explained this verbally. Despite this, the business continued to demand a notarized letter, which is an unreasonable request given the circumstances.

  
  4.Attempts to Resolve: I made multiple attempts to resolve the issue by offering clear communication and providing all necessary information. I also requested to speak with a supervisor multiple times but never received a follow-up. My efforts to address their concerns were met with repeated and shifting demands.

  
  5.Changing Reasons: The business has consistently changed their reasoning for refusing to fulfill my order, from the address not being able to accept freight to concerns about authorization and potential scams. This inconsistency further complicates the situation and indicates a lack of transparency.

  
  6.Cancellation of Order: The unilateral cancellation of my order without my consent was done without providing a reasonable opportunity to resolve the situation. I was willing to discuss the situation further with a supervisor, but my efforts were dismissed.

  
  7.Contractual Agreement: This transaction constitutes a contractual agreement. By not fulfilling the order and canceling it without adequate justification, Windy City Liquidation has breached this agreement.

  
  8.Egregious Claims: My complaint is based on documented facts and communication with the business. I have made no egregious claims but rather described my experience accurately.

  
  9.Warning to Other Customers: Given my experience, I suggest that the Better Business Bureau should consider warning other potential customers about ********************* business practices and poor customer service. Their lack of transparency and failure to honor contractual agreements are concerning and should be noted for the protection of other consumers.
  
  I am still seeking a resolution where the original terms of our agreement are honored. If this is not possible, I expect appropriate compensation for the inconvenience caused.
  
  Thank you for your attention to this matter.
  
  **************