Others Experiences- Fundraiser Followup: Michigan Attorney General

I have posted previously about GlitterSniffer Cosmetics fundraiser for Christie Brooks' father, held in December 2010.

Briefly, the fundraiser was held after a devastating fire which resulted in a complete loss of all possessions by Christie's father. Despite promises that the money had been sent, then the further admission that it had not and an attempt to remit the funds in March (the onus of which finding out how much was raised was placed on Christie) the funds still have not been received and Christie has had no further contact regarding the issue with proprietor Lela Warren, even after the stated intent to "make this right".

After four months and promises that the money had either been sent or was intending to be sent Christie Brooks today contacted the Michigan Attorney General at 517-373-1140.

Wanted to let you know I just got off the phone with the Michigan AG office. The lady I spoke with was so nice and when she asked me the name of the company I was calling about I told her GS, she sighed and said yeah i know that name well. She told me that there are 7 complaints formally filed with their office and several others that are being looked at. She told me that things are not looking good with this company and asked my situation. I explained it to her and she asked me if it could be recorded and if I minded repeating it for the recording so I did. She then stayed on the phone with me and walked me through the complaint form. She then told me that she is going to try to rush my complaint through the system because of the type of complaint it is. She also said that she will personally be getting a list together and mailing me of other agencies to contact that she is "utterly disgusted by the lack of morals that this woman has". She thanked me and said that I did the right thing by waiting and giving her every opportunity to follow through with turning the money over. They are very interested in any valid complaints that people may want to file.

The online complaint form Christie filled out may be found here. 

When the Michigan Radio NPR story was filed regarding GlitterSniffer Cosmetics on March 1, 2011 there were only 4 complaints filed. That number has now almost doubled. The Michigan AG facilitates mediation between consumers and businesses in an effort to resolve any complaints. They do not act as an attorney should the business fail to respond (as has been the outcome in at least two documented instances with GS, mine included), though it does appear that they have the legal standing to act in cases where an issue is pervasive, as per the Michigan Consumer Protection Act.

The Michigan Attorney General also has information regarding several issues that may affect consumers in regards to GlitterSniffer Cosmetics, including Sudden Business Closure and redemption of paid Gift Cards and Gift Certificates.