Arts and Crafts Company in South Jersey Reaches $15,000 Settlement With State

An arts and crafts company out of Berlin has reached a settlement for $15,000 with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs over its alleged failure to deliver ordered merchandise to consumers in a timely manner.

JKM Products Corp., d/b/a “JKM Ribbon & Trim” (“JKM Products”) is a company that supplies crafts and materials primarily to do-it-yourself customers.

The $15,000 settlement includes $7,557.54 in civil penalties and reimbursement of the State for a total of $7,442.46 for its investigative and legal costs.

JKM will also be providing restitution to 11 consumers who filed complaints with the Division of Consumer Affairs.

JKM Products is also required to inform the Division of Consumer Affairs about any future consumer complaints it receives during the next three years and to provide the Division with information about how each such complaint is resolved.

The settlement concludes an investigation launched by the Division of Consumer Affairs following reports from customers that they were unable to contact the company for extended periods of time, stretching out at times to months, after placing orders for products that were never received.

“Consumers have recourse under our consumer protection laws when they do not get the items they have paid for,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “I encourage consumers to file complaints with the Division of Consumer Affairs whenever such problems occur with merchants.”

Deputy Attorney General Glenn T. Graham in the Division of Law’s Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section represented the state in this matter.

Supervising Investigator Aziza Salikhov of the Division of Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection led the investigation.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.