Oct 26, 2009 7:08 pm US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: Burned!
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
It's one of those BBQ bars that has a fridge, stereo, umbrellas and bar stools. He bought it from Spa, Pool and Patio Expo in Livermore, a vendor at the State Fair.
He thought he was in good hands, but it soon felt as if games were getting played. Feliciano Ozuna has a big family and he loves to entertain. Just look at his Raider nation game room.
"Every super bowl I always do a big super bowl party, I was thinking great, we can have this great BBQ, we can really do it up," says Feliciano.
In August of '08, he went to the State Fair and a saw a BBQ set, similar to this one on display. He gave Spa, Pool and Patio Expo a $4,000 deposit for the almost $7,000 set.
"I was thinking State Fair, you know, legitimate business, the guy was friendly, real professional," says Feliciano.
Because he was moving at the time, Feliciano told the company he wanted it delivered later. Early this year, he called Spa, Pool and Patio Expo.
"They said oh great, we'll have it ready, just let us know when," says Feliciano.
In March, Feliciano called again and says the company gave him excuses as to why his BBQ set wasn't ready.
"Yeah we got the color, a week later, well we never got the color, I'm like... are you guys dumb? I told you the color," says Feliciano.
Then in late June, he says the company promised they would deliver his BBQ within a week. Feliciano even had a cement platform made for it. But the BBQ never arrived.
Now, he's using this electric George Foreman instead. Feliciano says the company later told him they didn't have the BBQ and promised a refund.
After waiting all summer long, still no refund check.
"You don't burn me and get away with it, so I figured I'd leave it to the experts," says Feliciano.
We contacted Spa, Pool and Patio Expo and left several messages but never got a call back. So we tracked down the owner's mom, who said she hadn't been in touch with her son.
We soon found out the company moved out of their Livermore office and their business license with the city expired in 2003. The company, also known as "Spa Expo," has an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau.
"Spa rip-off, spa buyers beware, these people are slimy," says Feliciano as he found a host of online complaints.
We then recommended he file a complaint with the Contractor's State License Board because the company owner, Larry Ekbom, is licensed.
A few weeks later, Feliciano got a check in the mail for $4,000!
He's already picked out a new BBQ set from a different company.
"Great! We'll have a BBQ, you're invited, come over for a BBQ," says Feliciano.
We don't know exactly what did the trick. We asked Cal Expo about whether they screen their vendors. They tell us "no." They say if customers have a problem with their vendors, to give them a call and they will help.
Also, don't give such a big deposit. Feliciano says the spa company only required $1,500 down but he paid $4,000 because he had the extra money at the time.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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