Tall Oaks Store rude service, forced to pay for broken merchandise Marienville Pennsylvania

This store is located about 6 miles north of Marienville, in Northwestern PA. They are open year round, but every fall they have a festival that runs for six consecutive weeks.

While shopping there a friend of mine was looking at some garland that was precariously placed near some ceramic figurines, while trying to put it back it fell, breaking two of the figurines.

The shop clerk came over immediately and said that they would have to be paid for---for almost $25. My friend said it was an accident and I told her that I'd read in several magazine articles that she didn't have to pay for them. Breakage is covered by insurance and what isn't covered is tax deductible.

We asked to speak to the owner. He explained that it was store policy for us to pay for anything we break, and that he "didn't want customers in his store who break things." He said his insurance wouldn't cover it because he had a $2500 deductible.

According to the National Retailers Assn. a store can NOT demand payment on the spot for something you broke. They must take it to small claimes court and prove negligence.

Anyway the owner agreed to "let us off" with only having to pay $7.50 for one of the figurines.

I just want anyone in this part of the country who may visit this place to be aware of the kind of people the owners are. I assured him that he would get at least $7.50 worth of bad advertising so this is a start

If you've ever dropped anything or had an accident, don't go to Tall Oaks---they don't want you there!!!

Cynthia
Marienville, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.