Direct To Home Appliances LLC. Chooseoutdoorkitchens.com Sent a check for a BBQ grill in July 2010, to this day no return phone calls nor have we received what we paid for. Ignoring our phone calls and constant hangups. Sanfrancisco, California

Your situation is most unfortunate, but not unique with regard to the company you cited.  On this website alone, there are complaints very similar to yours against this same company going back to February 2010! 

One common item of interest in the reports I've seen here is the fact this company promises to deliver a customer's merchandise anywhere from 4 weeks to 16 weeks after they receive payment.  This excessively long period of time should definitely set off an alarm that something is not quite right.  A reputable business on the Internet would NOT take such a massively long time to send you a product!

This is a good reason to pay for merchandise via a credit card (if you have one).  The fact these sleazebags insisted on your paying by check, is another reason to be very cautious.  Obviously, they know they can cash your check first, and by the time you realize they aren't going to send you the merchandise...it will be too late for you to stop payment on the check.

The ROR website here has a section where the editor provides you with information on what you can do in instances where you have been ripped off by a business.  You might want to check it out.  Perhaps some other regular commenters here can offer some additional insight and helpful info on how you might recover your funds or obtain the product you paid for.  I would suggest you start by sending a certified letter of complaint (return receipt requested) to the company in question.

Give all pertinent facts, including any purchase confirmation numbers (including photocopies of any correspondence) so they can identify you.  Present your complaint and specifically state what resolution you are seeking (i.e. refund of your money, the product you paid for, etc).

I would also recommend you file a report with the Better Business Bureau.  Since this business is also engaged in interstate commerce (& internet), file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission as well.

Lastly, it is always a good idea to check out any business you are considering purchasing a product or services from...especially over the Internet.  Visit this website and see if there are complaints lodged against a business.  Checking with the BBB is also a good idea as well.

Good luck!