Customers seek refunds as Portland flooring store shutters

At least three customers of a flooring company are trying to get back thousands of dollars they paid for goods and services that they say the business never delivered.

A hand-lettered sign on the door of the Floor Covering Superstore at 659 Warren Ave. says the store has closed. The owner of the business could not be reached Wednesday.

Among the customers looking for answers and refunds is Joan Mercier. Mercier, who owns the Freeport Cafe with her husband, Jack, said she waited weeks for a $1,204 carpet she ordered on Dec. 14.

The rug was one piece of an ongoing renovation of her restaurant that, when completed in March, will double its size. The project is now weeks behind schedule, and Mercier had to buy carpet from another vendor, more than doubling her costs.

"I should have followed my instinct," said Mercier, 65, who said the store seemed quiet and empty when she placed the order. Now she is haggling with her credit card company to refund the charge, and angry that a flagging business would apparently take orders it could not fill. See the full story at www.pressherald.com.