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12 On Your Side: BBB warns against buying from military challenge coin company
Posted: 2:29 PM Feb 29, 2012
Reporter: Elizabeth Owens
| Click to play video |
News 12 at 6 o'clock / Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A local business is under federal investigation after receiving numerous complaints from military personnel around the world.
U.S. Challenge Coins, LLC provides military and law enforcement with collectable challenge coins. Men and women in uniform treasure the hard-earned coins.
First Class Petty Officer Dave Stevens with the Small Armed Range in Great Lakes, Ill., ordered custom made coins from the company's website in September.
"They're a token that military members can give to each other as a sign of respect when they accomplish something," Stevens said.
He paid nearly $1,200 for 135 coins for his fellow sailors from the Augusta-based business. But, six months after placing the order, he is still waiting on the coins.
"The complaints were consistent that orders were placed, product was not received and attempts to receive refunds or get information on the product, the consumer was not getting a resolution from the business and in some cases not able to reach the business," she said.
The BBB has alerted JAG at Fort Gordon about U.S. Challenge Coins.
According to the BBB, U.S. Challenge Coins President Patrick Summy closed his warehouse about a month ago and is now conducting business from home.
Summy refused an on camera interview with 12 On Your Side. He told Elizabeth Owens over the phone that he was retired Air Force and that he was not doing anything illegal. Summy admitted into running into some financial problems but said he still planned on finishing all of his obligations.
"Last I heard it was suppose to be done on the 10th of February and it's already near the end of February and still no coins and he won't answer any of my calls or emails or anything," Stevens said.
Summy told News 12 that Stevens' coins would arrive in a week.
"We have our core values honor, courage, commitment and I know all of the services have their core values and I'm sure not producing a product or a refund is not falling under the Air Force's core values," Stevens said.
The BBB is continuing to investigate, along with the FBI.
If you have placed a order with U.S. Challenge Coins and have not received your merchandise, then you need to contact the following agencies:
-BBB of CSRA: (706) 210-7676
-Georgia Office of Consumer Protection: (404) 651-8600
-Also, contact your local JAG Office on base.
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