Nixon tells furniture store customers to call with problems

COLUMBIA-Attorney General Jay Nixon released a statement Wednesday asking customers of Ashley Furniture store to alert his office if outstanding furniture orders are not received.

The store, located at 5170 Bull Run Drive, closed unexpectedly Tuesday, prompting complaints to Nixon’s office.

Store Manager Debbie Pollard said the store will reopen in a couple of days. It closed because of a change in ownership, she said. Pollard said that although the closing has confused some customers, deliveries are still being made.

A spokesman for Nixon said the attorney general did not want to see a repeat of a similar closing of an Ashley Furniture store in Joplin.

Shortly after that store closed in May 2007, more than 230 customers filed complaints with Nixon’s office concerning issues with delivery of purchases.

John Fougere, a spokesman for Nixon, said four complaints had been made as of Wednesday afternoon. In this situation, Fougere said Nixon stepped in and worked with Ashley Furniture to ensure that customers received their orders promptly.

Nixon said those who have purchased furniture but haven’t received it can call the complaint hot line at 800-392-8222 or file a complaint to ago.mo.gov.

Pollard said the store has received “minimal complaints” in the past few days. The warehouse located in Columbia is still running, and deliveries will continue.

“Every customer that has ordered and paid for furniture will have it delivered and be satisfied,” Pollard said.

She said the store would reopen as soon as possible.