On Friday, Dec. 12, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a lawsuit against Philadelphia Salvage, a restoration service that has allegedly failed to complete work and denied refunds to customers.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, accuses the company and owner Christopher Stock of breaching contracts with consumers who paid for the restoration of antiques and heirloom household fixtures.
Allegations and Penalties
According to the complaint, the firm entered into agreements with consumers, did not perform the work, and refused to issue refunds, resulting in an estimated $20,000 loss for affected customers.
- $1,000 civil penalty for each violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law
- $3,000 civil penalty for each violation involving a consumer aged 60 or older
The lawsuit also seeks restitution for the victims and requests that Stock and Philadelphia Salvage cease operations in Pennsylvania.
Company Background and Public Response
In September 2023, Stock told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his company had gone bankrupt. The Inquirer reported that customers had filed complaints with the state alleging that Philadelphia Salvage had bilked deposits and failed to return property. The company’s website is currently down, and Reddit users claimed the firm had closed 10 months ago.
How to File a Complaint
Victims of the alleged misconduct can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General online, as directed by the AG’s office.
Key Takeaways
- AG filing lawsuit seeks restitution and penalties for Philadelphia Salvage.
- Company allegedly failed to complete restoration work and denied refunds, causing ~$20,000 loss.
- AG demands company cease operations in Pennsylvania and imposes civil penalties.
The lawsuit underscores the AG’s commitment to protecting Pennsylvanian consumers from deceptive business practices and reinforces the importance of honoring contractual obligations.
