The Mystery of USA Comfy Cloths: A Memphis Business Impersonation
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – In a curious twist of fate, a Memphis business is at the center of a controversy involving an online retailer that may not even exist. This situation has raised eyebrows and prompted dozens of complaints from frustrated customers who believed they were purchasing American-made clothing, only to find themselves caught in a web of deception.
The Real Business Behind the Name
Susie Webber, the proud owner of Envy Chic Couture Boutique, has built her brand on a foundation of passion for fashion. Located on Park Avenue in Orange Mound, Webber has been serving her community for five years, showcasing the latest trends and modeling them herself. “That’s the thing that I love the most,” she says. “I can dress them up and make them cute.”
However, Webber recently discovered that her legitimate business address has been co-opted by a company called USA Comfy Cloths, an online retailer that claims to sell clothing made in the USA. The company has been using her address—2276 Park Avenue, ZIP Code 38114—on its Facebook page, misleading customers into believing they were shopping locally.
The Complaints Pour In
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has been inundated with calls from dissatisfied customers of USA Comfy Cloths. Many have reported not receiving their orders at all, while others received items that were cheap knockoffs from overseas. Daniel Irwin, a representative from the BBB, noted, “They’re either telling us one or two things: A) they’ve never received any merchandise or B) they did get something, but it was a cheap knockoff from a foreign country and not what they ordered.”
The situation escalated when the BBB discovered that USA Comfy Cloths was not only using Webber’s address but also another local woman’s phone number as a contact. This woman, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her frustration at receiving incessant calls from unhappy customers. “Every morning, I get over 6-7 calls, maybe more,” she lamented. “It has been awful.”
A Pattern of Deception
The complaints against USA Comfy Cloths reveal a troubling pattern. Customers have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, stating things like, “Obviously an overseas company using a name designed to fool people,” and “The company advertises that they are an American company, but that is not true.” One customer even reported being charged multiple times for an order that never arrived.
The BBB has flagged the company’s website and Facebook page for several red flags, including the absence of contact information, poor grammar, and even Asian script. Irwin speculated that the use of a legitimate Memphis address was a calculated move to lend credibility to the operation. “They’re just using the name of real businesses that make clothes to make it sound more believable,” he said.
The Impact on Local Businesses
For Susie Webber, the implications of this situation are serious. She has spent years building her reputation and expanding her retail space with the help of the city’s economic development agency. “Being that the economy is the way that it is, reputation is everything,” she emphasized. The last thing she wants is to deal with angry customers who were never her customers at all.
“Just stop it. And why would you use my address?” Webber pleaded. “We’re a legit business. We’ve been established for a very long time. Please get your own address and please get your own telephone number.”
A Call for Caution
As this story unfolds, it serves as a cautionary tale for online shoppers. The BBB advises consumers to do their research before making purchases from unfamiliar websites. With the rise of e-commerce, it’s crucial to verify the legitimacy of businesses, especially those claiming to sell American-made products.
In the end, both Susie Webber and the anonymous woman hope to free themselves from the burden of this fraudulent operation. “I haven’t changed my phone number for the simple fact that I have health issues,” the woman explained. “It’s too many people to get a new number out to that need to contact me.”
Despite attempts by Action News 5 to reach someone at USA Comfy Cloths, the only available contact was a generic customer feedback email, and no response was received.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in the online shopping landscape. As consumers, we must remain aware of the potential for deception and take proactive steps to protect ourselves. For those looking to investigate a business or report dealings with a company, the BBB offers resources to help navigate these murky waters.
In a world where online shopping is increasingly prevalent, let’s ensure that our purchases support legitimate businesses and uphold the values of trust and integrity.
