Angry customers thwart furniture store's GOB sale

Alabama retailer halts event after 20 minutes

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 1, 2011

ATHENS, Ala. — Limestone Furniture, whose owner remained in jail here after he was accused of taking money for furniture that was never delivered, attempted to start a going-out-of-business sale Thursday but it was halted after only 20 minutes.

Television station WHNT reported that co-owner Brandi Connell, wife of jailed owner Scott Connell, was confronted by dozens of angry customers immediately after the store opened. Twenty minutes later, she closed the store on the advice of her attorney.

Several customers demanded refunds for deposits placed on furniture that was never delivered, while others demanded floor samples that were of equal value to their deposits, the station reported.

Scott Connell was arrested earlier this week and charged with six counts of theft. The local sheriff's department said it received 53 complaints from consumers who said they gave the store money for furniture that was never delivered.