Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

KENNEWICK  – Storybook Lane, an online company previously sued by the Washington Attorney General’s Office, must once again refund consumers nationwide. The Kennewick-based company, which sells home décor for children’s bedrooms, violated the terms of a 2008 settlement by failing to deliver orders, issue refunds and respond to customer inquiries.

As part of the original settlement, Storybook Lane and its owner, Teryl Cooper, paid restitution to 53 consumers and $6,000 in attorneys’ fees and agreed to comply with restrictions on its business practices. But the Attorney General’s Office continued to receive complaints from consumers. So in March 2011, the office asked Benton County Superior Court to impose penalties and additional restitution.

stipulated judgment was entered on April 12, in which the defendants were ordered to pay a $5,000 civil penalty and an additional $15,000 in attorneys’ fees. They were also ordered to provide refunds for merchandise customers returned or never received.

You may be eligible for a refund if you bought services from www.storybooklane.com. Eligible consumers should file a consumer complaint on the Washington Attorney General’s Web site at /file-complaint and request a refund.  Consumers who have submitted complaints to the Attorney General’s Office of any state or a Better Business Bureau do not have to submit new documentation, unless requested.

Storybook Lane and Cooper may still do business -- as long as they don't break any laws.

DOCUMENTS:

Storybook Lane Complaint

Storybook Lane Consent Decree

Storybook Lane Stipulated Judgment

 


Media Contact: Kristin Alexander, Media Relations Manager - Seattle, 206-464-6432

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