LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A website that markets toys and collectible figurines will stop selling online for five years after the Department of Attorney General threatened action, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday.
Last month, the Department issued a Notice of Intended Action (NIA) against Planetary Toys, LLC d/b/a Treasure Trove Toys for allegedly violating Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) collected nearly 90 complaints against the business – ranging from purchased items never being shipped or shipped items not matching what was advertised – and has been working to resolve issues for consumers.
This week, the Department entered an
Planetary Toys agreed to:
- stop selling toys and collectibles online for a period of five years;
- going forward, only operate businesses under names properly registered with the State of Michigan;
- resolve all outstanding complaints with consumers that did not receive items ordered or that were sent the wrong item by issuing full refunds; and
- pay the State of Michigan $1,000 to compensate for investigation costs.
“I’m pleased to see this agreement reached without my office having to take additional legal action against Planetary Toys,” Nessel said. “I appreciate the work our partners at the BBB are doing to help affected customers. We will continue to advocate on behalf of Michigan consumers.”
The terms must be met by February 21.
“The Better Business Bureau continues to work with the company to resolve consumer complaints. We are glad to see an agreement has been reached that will ensure all affected customers receive refunds rightfully owed,” President and CEO of the BBB Serving Western Michigan Lisa Frohnapfel said. “This is another great example of how the marketplace is being served by the longstanding partnership between the BBB and the Michigan Attorney General’s office.”
The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance and Discontinuance is available on the Department’s website.
CONSUMER PROTECTION TIPS
There are countless online individuals and small businesses using websites to re-sell products purchased online. Some of these re-sellers have the goods shipped to themselves, then they send them along to the buyer.
Others use drop shipping—where they simply order the product from a third party that then ships directly to the buyer. You can learn more in AG Nessel’s consumer alert on the topic.
BEFORE YOU BUY
- Research the product and the seller.
- Do an online image search of the product and any other images the seller has posted to see where the product is coming from, how much it really costs, and who else is selling it. Watch this video to learn how to do that.
- Compare prices for the same or similar products from other sellers.
The Department provides a library of resources for consumers to review anytime on a variety of topics.
Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or if you have questions, call 877-765-8388.
