{June 22, 2011} VICTORIA, BC – Consumers have received refunds for services and products not provided by W.R. Chandler Memorials Ltd., a memorial dealer selling markers, plaques and tombstones operating in Vancouver BC.

Following an investigation in April 2008, Consumer Protection BC issued a Director’s Compliance Order in the Supreme Court instructing W.R. Chandler Memorials to refund consumers for deceptive acts and for products or services that were not provided.  Due to a separate legal action, W.R. Chandler Memorials was dissolved and a trustee was appointed in July 2008 to deal with the liquidation of the business.

During this investigation, Consumer Protection BC was able to help consumers by:

• Contacting consumers who we discovered hadn’t received their products and services;
• Providing assistance in locating and acquiring the purchased products and services, including headstones;
• Collaborating with the cemetery to allow headstones to be installed in the cemetery;
• Obtaining refunds for some consumers;
• Warning consumers of the enforcement action and the appointment of the trustee through our website and the media; and
• Working with the trustee to ensure that additional consumer complaints were addressed.

Due to the efforts of both Consumer Protection BC and the trustee, approximately $35,000 has now been refunded to 26 consumers.

Consumer Protection BC is responsible for the administration of the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and the Consumer Contracts regulation in British Columbia. Together the Act and regulation govern the conduct of businesses engaged in consumer transactions in the province.

Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit corporation that was created to strengthen consumer protection in BC and enforce consumer protection laws. We balance the interests of all parties to promote a marketplace that is fair for both BC consumers and BC businesses. We license and inspect specific industries, respond to inquiries through our Inquiry Centre, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under the law.  For more information about our organization, please visit our corporate website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.

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Media Contact Only:                                                                                        

Tatiana Chabeaux-Smith, Manager of Public Relations                                              
P 604.296.2856 M 250.686-1077 TF 1.888.564.9963 x.2802                                
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General Consumer Inquiries:

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