Legal Action May Be Imminent for Daddy's Junky Music Customers

Scott Wright was frustrated over the plight of Daddy's Junky Music. Sure, it's a shame the business went under. But Wright is more upset about the money he's put down on a Gibson Chet Atkins SST guitar.

"I did a trade-in for $130. The price was $1,000 total, so I'm into it for about $675. I went in there the Sunday before they closed and put $300 on the guitar. If I'd known they needed the money so badly, I'd have paid the whole thing off and taken my guitar," Wright said.

Instead, he's joined the ranks of former customers who want to know what's going on.

"Nobody's called me. I tried calling over there and left a message. I imagine they're busy. They seem like nice people. It's just taking the money from me and running without any notification that's really a little frustrating," said Wright, of Massachusetts, whose layaway was through the Dedham, Mass., store.

State Attorney General James Boffetti had been fielding complaints just like that from former customers of Daddy's Junky Music over the past three weeks. Like Wright, they are frustrated, and looking for answers to lingering questions about merchandise and money owed.

Boffetti said going out of business abruptly has been tough on music store owner Fred Bramante.

"Mr. Bramante indicated they're filing for bankruptcy protection, and my sense was that the filing was imminent," said Boffetti last week.

As head of the state's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, Boffetti said he sees many businesses fail, especially in these tough economic times.

Boffetti said the top three questions he's getting are:

1. What can I do with gift certificates and can I get my money back?

2.  I bought something on layaway and paid for a portion of my purchase. Can I  pay the balance and get my item, or get all my money back?

3. I brought in my own equipment for repairs. Can I get it back? 

"The first two problems are issues dealt with in bankrupty court. The third one is more complicated, but it's possible that could be dealt with through Mr. Bramante, to make arrangements to return people's property," Boffetti said.

Ultimately the court will look at Bramante's assets and decide how to deal with creditors, including consumers owed money.

Consumers need to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office, either electronically or through the state's website.

"That's just a first step. Doing that doesn't protect their rights in bankruptcy court," Boffetti said.

DJM's Facebook Page has had several posts in the past few weeks that say things like: "Customer-owned repair calls will continue next week. Regarding all other issues, once we get that information we will certainly post it. Again, repair calls will continue next week. Thank you all for your patience understanding."

There is also consumer advice posted on the GE Capital website, which has taken over the remaining DJM assets.

According to the site, GE will be providing "at least one location in each state in which Daddy's has stores where customers who've placed merchandise on layaway can go to complete the purchase and pick up their merchandise."

Customer's will need to bring their layaway contract and receipts, and pay the remaining balance. That information is available to consumers this week. Go to
GE Capital's FAQ site or send an email inquiry to: gecacontactus@ge.com.