NH AG to Epic: End Going-Out-of-Business Sale

Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announced earlier today in a press statement that the state of New Hampshire has “entered into an assurance of discontinuance” with Menashe Cohen, d/b/a Epic Oriental Rugs, of Hampton, to resolve allegations that he violated the state’s consumer protection act.

According to investigators, Epic was “advertising and conducting a going-out-of-business sale for longer than 60 days,” and was ordered to cease and desist.

Cohen, according to the statement, began advertising a going-out-of-business sale at Epic Oriental Rugs during the fall of 2014, and advertised this sale through store banners, direct mailers, newspaper ads, and television commercials. Cohen’s going out of business sale advertisements were still being published as recently as this month.

The consumer protection act prohibits any unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce within New Hampshire, according to the AG. The act specifically prohibits “conducting or advertising a going-out-of-business sale which lasts for more than 60 days.”

Under the terms of the assurance, Cohen is required to stop advertising the sale and retract any current ads. He is also being required to pay an “in lieu of a civil penalty” and will reimburse the NH AG for investigative costs.

Anyone with with consumer-related complaints or concerns can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Information Line at 1-888-468-4454 or file a complaint on-line at doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm.

Caption: Menashe Cohen at his Hampton rug store. Credit: Lane Memorial Library.