Owner of Wichita used appliance store accused of deception, ordered to pay over $32,000

The owner of a used appliance store in Wichita has been ordered to pay over $32,000 in restitution and penalties following allegations of deceptive acts. 

The Sedgwick County district attorney's office said Lisette Redinger, doing business as All Things Appliance at 6501 West Irving, advertised used appliances on Craigslist. Two separate customers filed complaints after seeing advertisements and bought appliances that failed to operate as designed. 

The appliances were incapable of repair and Redinger failed to provide refunds, the DA's office said. The court found those failures to be deceptive and/or unconscionable under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. 

The civil case was filed April 28.

The court ordered Redinger to pay $1,137.72 in restitution to the customers, $20,000 in civil penalties, $10,000 in enhanced civil penalties and court costs. Redinger was also prohibited from doing business in Kansas until all restitution is paid. 

The DA's office reminds residents to research products and vendors so you can make informed decisions. 

If you want to know whether the business has had a history of complaints, consider checking with the Better Business Bureau for complaints made by other consumers. Visit consumer.ftc.gov for more information on safe and secure online shopping.

BBB records indicate All Things Appliance is no longer in business. 

Redinger created a Facebook group called Wichita Appliance Warehouse on July 20. The DA's office said it is investigating.