Action 9: Customers unable to track business that keeps changing names

GASTON COUNTY — Customers are upset with a local business. They say it took their items and, then they couldn't track it down. It's gone by these three names: Mathis Upholstery, H & H Upholstery, and S & D Upholstery. 

Carl Klump knows it as Mathis. He said someone with the company picked up three of his chairs, so Klump doesn't know if Mathis has an actual store.  He said he had a hard time getting in touch with Mathis after that.

 "We tried everything in the world. We wrote a number of letters to him. We tried to get his office address.  He wouldn't give it to us," he said.

At last check, he says two months went by and still no chair. "I don't like being flimflammed like that," he said.

Gisele Jeanlys said she also had problems tracking down Mathis. She eventually got her chair back.  But, for awhile there -- three months to be exact -- she thought the business vanished. 

"No chair. No word, no chair," she said. 

Both reported the business to Action 9. So Action 9's Jason Stoogenke tried to find it, too. He came across the three names, four addresses, and five phone numbers. 

Stoogenke left a message with the phone number that seemed right. No one called back, even though it had been almost a month. 

Stoogenke also went to all four of the addresses, all in Gaston County. But they were wrong, including an antique mall, which would have made sense. Another address was rubble. Stoogenke was told Mathis used to be there, but, now, it's the burned out shell of a building. Stoogenke found charred fabric among the debris.

The Better Business Bureau believes Mathis Upholstery is out of business. It even has another name for the company: Fowler's Upholstery. 

The BBB said H & H Upholstery is still in business and gives it at A+ rating. 

The BBB said S & D Upholstery has four complaints against it, three of which are unanswered. The BBB gives S & D a rating of F. The BBB is checking to see if it should combine S & D's records with H & H. 

The BBB also lists a Mathis Home Furnishings in Charlotte, but doesn't know if it is tied to H & H Upholstery, even though it said the listed owners have the same name.

If you feel a business has your property and may not give it back, you could 1) sue in small claims court, 2) file a police report, or 3) see if your homeowner's-- or renter's-- insurance will cover the loss.

WSOC