Andrew Trautmann was shopping for a new couch when he came across a local furniture company that specializes in Italian leather.
After reading a few positive reviews online, Trautmann decided to contact Collier’s Furniture Expo in Seminole County, Florida, about placing an order for a new leather sofa.
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“They sent me a really cool intro pack with lots of samples of different types of leather,” Trautmann told WFTV Channel 9. “They had a great selection to pick from.”
Impressed with the company’s offerings, Trautmann decided to place an order and paid $2,500 upfront. But the company reportedly kept delaying the delivery, telling Trautmann that his couch was held up in Mexico at the U.S. border.
Then, after Trautmann was convinced to make the final $4,200 payment, Collier’s Furniture Expo left him hanging when the company suddenly went out of business. Trautmann made this discovery when he noticed a message on the company’s website: “Due to financial difficulties, this company has discontinued operations.”
“Emails, no response,” Trautmann said of his efforts to get in contact with the company. “Phone calls went directly to voicemail.”
That’s when Trautmann contacted WFTV Channel 9’s Jeff Deal for help and, as it turns out, Trautmann is just one of dozens of shoppers who allegedly gave thousands of dollars to Collier’s Furniture Expo for furniture they never received.
A laundry list of complaints
When Deal began looking into Collier’s Furniture Expo, he reportedly found dozens of online complaints that are similar to Trautmann’s: thousands of dollars spent on furniture that was never delivered.
According to the Better Business Bureau’s records, nearly 40 complaints were filed against Collier’s Furniture Expo — which also operated under the name Leather Furniture Expo — in the past year alone.
“We certainly have seen an uptick in the number of consumers both inquiring on our website and also filing complaints,” said Holly Salmons, CEO of the Better Business Bureau.
When confronted about his business practices, Michael Collier — one of the company’s former owners — seemed to be unmoved by the complaints from his customers.
"Well, I don’t know how many there are out there that didn’t get anything for it, because you can, most of the time… you could, you know, on a credit card, you can charge back the credit card," Collier told Deal.
According to court documents, Collier’s Furniture Expo had generated more than $24 million in revenue between 2022 and 2024 before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, claiming its "financial condition has materially deteriorated."
After months of frustration and thousands of dollars lost, Trautmann ended up purchasing a sofa for the second time from another company. And for those who may be thinking of making a big purchase in the near future, Trautmann offered some advice.
"Do your homework, and make sure that they’re reputable and have credibility."
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What to do if you’re in Trautmann’s shoes
When a company files for bankruptcy while holding onto your deposit, don’t consider that money gone just yet.
As it turns out, Collier was right — if you paid with a credit card, you have some built-in protections. The easiest method to get your money back is through a transaction dispute, which is also known as a chargeback.
Most card issuers allow disputes to be filed within 60-120 days of the charge appearing on your statement. If you ever find yourself in Trautmann’s shoes, don’t wait on filing your chargeback. Instead, get it done as soon as you suspect trouble.
Since Trautmann paid by credit card, he was able to dispute the final $4,200 payment he gave to Collier’s Furniture Expo and got that money back. However, since the original $2,500 deposit was paid months ago, Trautmann was unable to challenge that transaction.
Consumers can also file a priority claim with the bankruptcy court for deposits up to $2,850. Section 507(a)(7) of the Bankruptcy Code gives priority to unsecured claims from individuals who made deposits for purchases where the goods or services were never delivered.
While this process won’t guarantee a refund of your money, it does place you higher in the repayment priority line than general creditors. Because of this, it’s important to save everything during your correspondence with the bankrupt company, including receipts, emails, text messages and phone records. These documents can help establish your claim and a timeline.
Before making any large purchases (especially those requiring a deposit), do yourself a favor and follow the steps below:
- Research the company thoroughly by checking the Better Business Bureau ratings and recent reviews
- Negotiate the smallest possible deposit
- Pay with a credit card that offers purchase protection
- Consider third-party buyer protection services for major purchases
And remember: a quick response to a disputed charge is always best. The longer you wait, the fewer options remain available to you. While bankruptcy proceedings can drag on for years, your window for credit card disputes will close much more quickly.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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