The Rental Store, Inc. And Harlem Furniture Consumer alert on two shady companies whose business practices are designed to fleece consumers of their hard earned money. Chicago Illinois

The nature and purpose of this report is to sound a consumer alert on two companies in the Chicagoland area: Harlem Furniture and The Rental Store; a.k.a, TRS Inc. Both companies engage in a despictable form of business practice that is 'unethical and perhaps illegal' in several areas. So, without furhter redo, please allow me to marshal the facts:

On June 5, 2008, I decided to shop for some new furniture, so my daughter and I went to Harlem Furniture, located at 8027 S. Cicero, in Chicago. I was
pleased with my selection of several pieces of furniture; a dinning room set; a
couch and love seat, along with two lamps, two intables and a coctail table.

The problem started when an employee of Harlem Furniture, by the name of
Vicky Tellez, intentionally steered me to a supposed finance company by the name of TRS, Inc. I would later findout that TRS, Inc., was not a finance company but rather a rental company. You see, TRS, Inc., is really "The Rental Store, Inc. I setout to purchase furniture, not rent furniture. As a matter of fact, I have no history of ever renting furniture. I always purchase my furniture.

The original bill for the furniture from Harlem Furniture was $2,029.21. This is the amount that TRS paid Harlem Furniture. Then TRS starts to send me bills
for services that were never rendered such as; delivery of the furniture. Harlem Furniture delivered the furniture at a cost of $98.80, as itemized on
the receipt from Harlem Furniture. TRS is trying to charge me $80.00 for the
delivery of the Dinette set, and $98.80 for the Sofa, and $60.00 for delivery of the tables and lamps, also a charge of $60.00 for the Loveseat. Keep in mind that Harlem Furniture actually delivered the furniture all at onetime and not TRS.

I went to Harlem Furniture to purchase furniture and not rent or lease any.
I started recieving bills from The Rental Store, Inc. They had rearranged {without my permission} the original agreement I had with Harlem Furniture.
This was the first time that TRS was indentified to me as The Rental Store, Inc. To sum it up, TRS is trying to charge me an astronomical figure for the
furniture that was supposed to cost me a total of $2,029.21. Instead, TRS is trying to milk me for thousands of dollars for the furniture.

In addition, TRS has been harassing me over the phone, at home and at work. And did I mention the fact they have also been texting me.

They have attempted to fraudulently deduct money from my bank account.

Moreover, it has been virtually impossible for me to contact anyone in customer service, hoping to remedy the situation. All efforts to contact this company for resolution has been to no avail. I'm left with no other remedy
short of legal action. I'm sure there are many people out there that have been 'rippedoff' by TRS and Harlem Furniture. I urge you, 'no I implore you'
to file a report with the Better Business Bureau, if you have experienced questionable business practices as a direct result of dealing with either of these two companies. And as consumers we must find away to 'standup against 'blatant and shady' business entities which 'prey on us as individual consumers, especially during a period when, we, the consumers are taking a tremendous 'beating throughout the entire economic spectrum.' For example, the fact that gasoline is so high, has caused a 'ripple effect' on our finances.
As consumers, we are being 'bombarded' with 'pass along cost from several industries. The facts of this matter are reflected in the continued rising cost
of transportation, food, and any goods and services that require the use of gas or any other byproduct that derives from oil. The point I am making is this: Because of the fact that my finances are 'stretched thin due to the increases of my own personal economy which I believe was caused by the overall economy. The last thing I need in my economy is 'a business that is trying to take me and my hard earned money to the cleaners.'

Inclosing, I'd like to ask those of you out there that have had any illegal or unfair dealings with these two companies and to make it known. We are not going to tolerate the 'shady and underhanded business practices' of TRS and Harlem Furniture. There is always strength in numbers, so please soundoff. Also, anyone with ideas on effective ways to counter and prevent unfair business practices, we would like to hear from you as well, maybe its time to get Congress and our State and Local governments and or the Justice departments involved. Excuse me everyone, but I have some more writing to do! And I need to make some phone calls! I suggest you do the same!

Edwina
chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.