My Raymour & Flanigan recliner led to a bedbug infestation

Dear John: I have an issue with Raymour & Flanigan.

I purchased a recliner on March 12 of last year, and soon after, I had a problem with bedbugs. I had to employ an exterminator, who determined that the source of the bugs was the recliner.

When I contacted Raymour & Flanigan with the exterminator’s report, it refused to accept responsibility.

I spoke with a rep at the main office, and after looking into the situation, he found that Raymour & Flanigan would not be responsible, and expected full payment for the recliner.

After making the initial payment, I said I would not make any more payments, as it cost me enough just for the exterminator.

I really should be suing Raymour, but I’m an 89-year-old Korean War vet and don’t have the health or patience for such nonsense.

Any help will be appreciated. Excuse my penmanship — arthritis. A.L.

Dear A.L.: I’m afraid that suing Raymour is the only recourse you have. But it’s fun — I’ll explain how in a minute.

Raymour & Flanigan claims that you must have already had bedbugs in your apartment. It argues that none of the other furniture on the truck that delivered your recliner was infected. So it must be your fault.

On your side, you have shown me reports from the exterminator that directly point to the recliner as the source of the infestation. So I think you have a good argument, especially if the exterminator is willing to show up in court.

I’d argue that all the furniture was probably covered in plastic so a short trip on the truck probably didn’t give the bugs time to move, but I’m no expert on the traveling habits of insects.

I tried to negotiate on your behalf with the furniture company, but no dice. Raymour & Flanigan is sticking with its defense.

So the only thing you can do is take the company to small claims court. If you have a computer, Google “A Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in the New York State, City, Town & Village Courts.” That’ll help you out.

Or you can call the Brooklyn small claims court at (347) 404-9021, and the clerks there can help you.

The first thing that happens is you’ll get an arbitrator who’ll try to make you and the company come to an agreement. This is probably where the matter will be settled.

If that doesn’t work out, you’ll go to trial. But it will take months before you get a court date. You’ll present your evidence. The company will have to spend money to hire a lawyer, who’ll say you are lying.

But you have the exterminator’s report on your side. If you won any medals during the war, maybe you should wear them. That’ll win you some sympathy.

Trust me. It’s fun. It’s like watching “Judge Judy” in person without all the nastiness. Good luck.

Dear John: I have tried without any luck to get a refund from Emblem Health.

I was with Emblem for over 20 years. I paid my premium in October for November insurance.

Emblem canceled me because I went to another insurance company when I relocated to another state where Emblem was not available.

Emblem said it would reimburse my money.

I’ve gotten the runaround with eight representatives.

They reply with the same message: “It’s being processed.”

Can you help? M.L.

Dear M.L.: I sure can. I sent one e-mail and got this message from Emblem:

“We have located [your reader’s] information and are issuing his refund check today. We are sending via overnight mail, so he should receive it tomorrow. We will also give him a call to let him know the
situation has been resolved.”

Now all you have to do is figure out what you are going to do with all the free time you have now that calling Emblem won’t be on your to-do list.