Pocono News Section

I-Team: Widow Gets Scammed By Bed Maker

I-Team: Widow Gets Scammed By Bed Maker - Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 5:40PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 @05:40pm EST
HOLLENBACK TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY --Now to an I-Team investigation that's recovered thousands of dollars for an elderly widow who claims she was scammed by a well -known company. Craftmatic, the adjustable bed maker has recently been sued by three states and the federal government for violating consumer's rights. But unfortunately, those lawsuits didn't keep Craftmatic from targeting one Luzerne County woman.

Doris Yurchak called WBRE News after being pressured into paying over $4,000 dollars for an adjustable bed that didn't live up to the salesperson's promises. The stress of fighting a huge corporation has left 83-year-old Doris Yurchak in tears. Since august, she's been pleading for her money that she spent on this poorly-constructed adjustable bed.

"Its slanted you can see how high and low it is here," says Yurchak. The Wapwallopen widow says it's so soft on one side, she slips right off. "To me it looked like a used mattress." She claims it’s not the quality mattress shown in brochures. Doris says a high-pressure salesmen bearing a plant and baked goods convinced her to buy after a five-hour sales call. Yurchak says “he wouldn't leave until I signed and gave him a check.” It was a check for over 42 hundred dollars.

The warranty says she has five days to return it, but when she called the company repeatedly to complain they ignored her. Doris isn't alone. The I-Team has learned three state's attorneys general have sued Craftmatic for high-pressure sales tactics and false advertising."

The I-Team tracked down the man who sold Doris her bed. He closed the door when he saw our camera. But before that he tells me he always brings gifts for prospective customers. "I never go empty-handed. I was brought up the old fashioned way.”

But Chaz Ballough, a detective for the Luzerne County DA's office warns folks not to be fooled by smooth talking, gift-bearing salespeople. "They should take time, look into it, investigate it. Even talk with family and friends regarding a large purchase.”

Back to Doris. When she had nowhere else to turn, she called WBRE News. We contacted the company. Yurchak says "I'm glad you did because other than that I don't know if I would have gotten results." Now, the bed is gone and Doris has received a refund for the entire 42 hundred fifty-eight dollars.

Craftmatic's compliance officer declined an on-camera interview and never provided a statement to WBRE News.

If you believe Craftmatic has taken advantage of you, the state attorney general wants to know. Call the consumer protection hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or go to .

And one final note, earlier this month the Federal Trade Commission announced that Craftmatic has agreed to pay 4.4 million dollars for violating the federal Do-Not-Call list --the second largest Do-Not-Call fine ever.