Alan Huffman banned from business in NC

[tkaz]

http://abc11.com/business/state-takes-action-against-vending-machine-restorer/1312399/

VENDING MACHINE BUSINESS BANNED FROM OPERATING IN NC

Thursday, April 28, 2016 12:57PM
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The company promised to restored antiques, but instead the NC Attorney General's Office says the business repeatedly failed to complete the work or return the goods to consumers. Now, the company and its owner are temporarily banned from operating in the state.

RSince 2012, the AG's office said it received nearly 50 complaints against Huffman. Customers from across the country say they gave Huffman money, but couldn't get him to do the work despite countless promises from Huffman that it would get done.

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Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens signed a temporary restraining order against Antiquities Vending Company and its owner Alan Huffman. According to the order, Huffman cannot advertise or collect payments from NC consumers for antique restoration work. Huffman also cannot take advance payments for machine restoration work in the state.


Since 2012, the AG's office said it received nearly 50 complaints against Huffman. Customers from across the country say they gave Huffman money, but couldn't get him to do the work despite countless promises from Huffman that it would get done.

Any North Carolina consumer who hired Antiquities Vending without receiving their property or a refund is encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. Help is available toll-free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. Consumers can also file a complaint online at ncdoj.gov.

[Slider-Bob]

Longggggggggg overdue!

About time!

[Ltransam]

My thoughts also Bob

I remember posting about him 10 yeas ago when I did battle with him on my cooler and assisted a guy in Texas ,

I tried then to warn people then but was told to let it go .but it seamed  that after my first warning many people posted about issues with him and I'd watch and listen to the same story's about him.

So finely we all may see some Justice !!!  

  

[MoonDawg]

    I thought all the lawsuits were resolved when his Dad bailed him out a few years ago? 

[HowDueYouDue]

Hope everyone gets their money and property back. Also hope he doesn't reopen a year from now under a new name

[brasskey]

Hope everyone gets their money and property back. Also hope he doesn't reopen a year from now under a new name

Or sooner in a different state!

[vendo81d]

The attorney general didn't seem to get involved in this until after I successfully sued Huffman in small claims court.  Even though I won, I was out a lot of time and money for travel.  I would encourage anyone who hasn't read my two posts entitled "Why I don't have a Vendo 123 anymore" to do so.  This will give you a good idea of how Huffman has conducted business.  About this same time genudoc was putting a lot of pressure on Huffman and we did share information and I think he also deserves some credit.

[Eric]

Looks like he has such a great collection and banquet hall.. most of those machines look like survivors (not restored)... what a shame

[Larry]

Well, he probably spent the advance money that he received for the machines.  So I'm guessing that he will have to pay a lot of cash back that he doesn't have.  Hmmmmmm, sounds like someone is in need of a liquidation sale.

[pinballdude]

The way I read this...What's to stop him from doing business anywhere that's NOT in North Carolina??? He needs to be BEHIND BARS!!!

[brasskey]

The way I read this...What's to stop him from doing business anywhere that's NOT in North Carolina??? He needs to be BEHIND BARS!!!

That's the way I read it, too. Seems like he needs more punishment than just being banned from North Carolina for a year.

[brasskey]

Well, he probably spent the advance money that he received for the machines.  So I'm guessing that he will have to pay a lot of cash back that he doesn't have.  Hmmmmmm, sounds like someone is in need of a liquidation sale.

I'm sure we can liquidate the decapper from him.

[Creighton]

Looks like a wink and nod court ruling. No surprise.
Research any company before doing biz with same.
Creighton

[Lincoln22]

Justice

[mygoose101]

It happens. There was a upscale used car dealership in Santa Barbara CA, called Montecito Motors. High end used cars but all on consignment. They were actually in business for a few years, it was a father and son outfit. You started to hear rumors locally of some shady business. The car owners would go in to see their cars and they weren't there. They would give them the runaround that it was at the shop, it was on a test drive and so on. Or they said it was sold but they were waiting for check to clear. Well, they were shut down and both did fairly hard jail time. As far as I know they might actually still be in jail and it's been a few years. Sad for all involved.

[BeaYoung]

When I read the headline, I thought maybe he did used the "wrong" bathroom in NC!!!! Ha Ha Ha

[SodaShopNick]

Wrong bathroom, very funny.  I have never done business with Alan and will not after all the stories I have heard.   I have gone to visit him once to see his collection which is really quite a collection.  I was planning on another visit in about a month to visit the museum again, so maybe I can see if anything is for sale 

[genudoc]

Wow, been away from site for a bit and came back and look what I see.
Lots of bad memories came back to mind but also some good
People on this site were very helpful and gave me info to make right contacts to put the right amount of pressure to get my machine back.
Jim even took him off this site because of  all the negative feedback.
That was back in 2014 and there was even a piece on TV about Alan and the complaints.
Guess did not last cause the complaints I see continued.
What do they say about old dogs ?

[cohammer]

People like him is the very reason when I take my boat to have motor serviced or a car to be worked on , if I am trying a new shop I never leave it with some body that has a lot of what I am having repaired sitting around . They never fix anything or give it back .

[firemun]

I have been away from the site for many years but getting back on re reading some threads I remember what a great group of folks there was on here. I am sorry I went away" but life just got in the way and I just did not have time for the hobby.  I have been trying to downsize some and I still have multiple machines that were out of sight, almost out of mind. Alan still has some of my stuff that was taken to him before I knew better.    I contacted Jim to get back on here so I can gather some evidence (photos of machines, conversations about purchases etc.) Since I was not really working with the machines it did not bother me I did not have them in my possession.   BUT...when I tried to get them back I discovered all this other info about Alan. Wish me luck as I travel the path some of you have trod getting your stuff back.
Jeff

[MoonDawg]

        Here is the latest TV update on him, sounds a little more promising.

        http://www.wsoctv.com/news/action-9-nc-ag-office-investigates-business-restor/113093671

[mygoose101]

Wow, crazy stuff.