Complaint / Review
The Franklin Mint
Holding my money hostage INTERNET

I purchased a doll and two coin sets from Franklin Mint on Oct. 20 2008. I prepaid via paypal using a line of credit from GE Bank. These items were to be Christmas gifts. When I had not heard from them by early December I called them, and was told the order was being held for the arrival of the doll and that the doll was due in that day, I told them if I couldn't receive them by Christmas I wanted to cancel the order. Christmas came and went, no doll or coin sets, so I officially canceled my order.

I was never informed of any delays, for that matter my original order was never even acknowledged, although it did show up in Franklin Mint's system as not shipped.

I requested a refund when I had not heard from them regarding the cancellation.

I repeatedly tried to contact them, never got a response.

I complained to paypal, since I paid via paypal. Paypal told me they couldn't help me because it was Franklin Mint. I then contacted the credit card company, sent them all the paperwork pertaining to the order, cancellation, etc. They refunded my money.

The doll arrives in late March (only the doll no coin sets), the paperwork shows an entirely different order number than the original. Paypal reverses the refund for the full amount of not only the doll but the coin sets as well.

I informed paypal and Franklin Mint that the order had been canceled, that I wanted a call tag issued for the doll since I had canceled the order. No response. It takes paypal 30-45 days to take any action what so ever, so back and forth we went.

I have been informed by both the credit card company and paypal that they can no longer help because so much time has gone by. Though they did make a request to Franklin Mint to contact me, which of course they have not.

So here it is August and I still haven't received any contact from Franklin Mint, and of course no refund. The order had been canceled in January, so it is unordered merchandise by the time it arrives in March. I am under no obligation to pay or return the doll, although Franklin Mint has had my money since October.

I've contacted the BBB and the FTC, but have not received any help there either.

This is not only unethical but illegal as well, and there should be a way for me to get my refund without resorting to legal action.