db/repair.pr     98-51
Contact:  Eric Friedman, 301-217-7393
        

For Immediate Release:  February 19, 1998


County Revokes Repair License of
Rockville Appliance Firm

     
     A Montgomery County hearing examiner has revoked the license of a Rockville
appliance repair firm as the result of complaints filed with the Consumer Affairs division of
the County's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCA).
     The license of Steven Edward Nocket, trading as Sewing Machines & Vacuums
Unlimited, 1757 Rockville Pike, was revoked indefinitely by Hearing Examiner Philip Tierney
on February 5, as the result of charges brought by the County's Division of Consumer Affairs. 
Tierney found that Nocket had committed deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in
violation of County law, and that he provided false information on his license application. 
Tierney ordered Nocket's license revoked until Nocket resolved certain consumer complaints
and posted a conspicuous sign advising consumers of his return and refund policy.
     Represented by Assistant County Attorney Anne T. Windle at the hearing, Consumer
Affairs charged that Nocket's firm had made false statements to a number of consumers in 
                                  

order to get them to purchase vacuum cleaners.  One consumer was told that a vacuum
cleaner was top-rated by Consumer Reports Magazine, only to find out after purchasing the
vacuum cleaner that it was poorly rated by Consumer Reports.  Another consumer was told
that a vacuum cleaner was self-propelled and made by a subsidiary of Toyota of Kentucky,
only to find out after purchase that it was not self-propelled and was made in Taiwan.  Two
consumers in their eighties agreed to try a more expensive, heavier vacuum cleaner after
being told that the lightweight model they had come in to see was a "piece of junk."  The
salesman assured them that the more expensive canister model was not too heavy for them to
handle, and he carried it to their car.  When they got home, they couldn't lift the appliance
out of the trunk of their car.
     Consumer Affairs investigator Eric Friedman pointed out that under Maryland law,
businesses are required to provide consumers with information about whether the store allows
returns, refunds, and exchanges.
     "Businesses should tell the truth about the products that they sell.," said Friedman,  "If
they don't, we are prepared to take whatever action is necessary to protect consumers in
Montgomery County."
     For more information or to file a consumer complaint, contact the Division of
Consumer Affairs at 301-217-7373.

                                  #  #  #

County Home | About Your County | County Government | Services | Guest Book | Questions for the Executive
News | Phone Book | Business Development | Council | Related Resources