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Press Release

California Department of Consumer Affairs
Revokes TV Repair Shop's License

Citrus Heights Business Pays Price for Consumer Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 08, 2003

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As a result of an accusation filed by the Attorney General's office, the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair has revoked the repair dealer license issued to Ken's TV Audio Video, Inc., 7300 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights.

Ken's TV Audio Video, Inc. owners Mark Schue, president and Lynn Schue, vice-president/treasurer, stipulated to violations of several California Business and Professions Code statutes guiding electronic-repair transactions.

California law prohibits untrue or misleading statements, fraud or dishonest dealing, incompetence or negligence and departure from accepted trade standards by electronic and appliance repair dealers. Dealers are required to take certain consumer-assurance steps, including providing a written estimate of the total repair cost, providing a detailed invoice of work performed and parts replaced, and returning most replaced parts.

The case was based on the results of an undercover sting operation conducted by the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair (BEAR) investigators, after consumers complained about the shop's business practices.

Bureau operators posed as customers and requested service for television sets that had been disabled in a manner that would require a simple, inexpensive repair to fix. Instead, the investigators were charged expensive, unsafe repairs. Investigators were also not provided with proper written estimates, invoices and claim checks, and charged for parts not replaced.

Consumers with questions or complaints about the repair of home electronic equipment or major appliances should contact BEAR at (916) 574-2069 or online at www.bear.ca.gov.

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