Attorney General's News Release

May 3, 2002

Nixon may be able to help Colony Magnavox customers claim merchandise, but they must contact office by May 7

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today said his office may be able to help customers of the now-closed Colony Magnavox electronics store in Springfield claim merchandise they have paid for, but they must act quickly to contact his office before a scheduled bankruptcy auction takes place next weekend.

A bankruptcy court judge in Springfield on Thursday (May 2) directed the trustee to permit the Attorney General's Office to inspect the retail store and warehouses of Colony Magnavox. That inspection would determine what property had been specifically identified as property purchased by a customer who has paid for the merchandise in full or has put down a deposit. Those items then would be removed from the auction scheduled for May 11 and May 12.

Close to 70 Colony customers have already contacted the Attorney General's Office, Nixon said. Any affected customers who have not yet contacted the Attorney General's Office need to do so by 5 p.m. next Tuesday (May 7) by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline (1-800-392-8222) or the Attorney General's office in Springfield (1-417-895-6567).

Customers will be asked to provide copies of receipts, reflecting the purchase price and how much was paid toward the item. Those copies may be brought to the Springfield office at Suite 1017, 149 Park Central Square or faxed to 1-417-895-6382.

"We appreciate the bankruptcy court allowing us to help consumers try to retrieve these items, because this allowance is somewhat unusual in bankruptcy cases," Nixon said. "Customers must move quickly, however, to make their claims."

Nixon said customers who had taken items into Colony for repair may pick them up from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at the store location at 2908 S. Glenstone in Springfield.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818