BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County DA's office is filing a lawsuit against Bakersfield-based company, CALMINI Products for unfair and deceptive business practices after numerous customers complained they never received their products after paying for them upfront.
The lawsuit names the defendants Steven D. Kramer who is the owner of the auto-parts maker company and Justin Michael Reed who is reportedly the sales manager.
According to the lawsuit, CALMINI and California Mini Truck would require customers to pay for its products in full but never delivered or issued refunds thereafter. The DA says investigation into these complaints included these same details below:
- The customer places an order with one of the businesses and pays in full upfront, usually several hundred dollars or more.
- After a few weeks pass without receiving the ordered product, the customer contacts the business to inquire about the status of the order. An employee tells the customer the product will be shipped soon.
- More time passes, and still no product. The customer calls the business again, and again is told the product will be delivered soon.
- After more time passes, the customer tells the business that he or she wants to cancel the order and have their money refunded. An employee tells the customer the money will be sent within a few days.
- A few days pass, and still no money. The customer calls to follow up, and is again told the money will be sent soon.
- The customer still does not receive the money, and then submits a complaint.
“The unscrupulous business practices alleged in the complaint must stop,” District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a statement. “Wronged customers deserve restitution, and the defendants must be held accountable for their alleged wrongdoing.”
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office encourages anyone who thinks that they may have been victimized by CALMINI or Cal Mini Truck to contact Raelynn Aguayo, an investigator with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, at (661) 868-5855.
