Finally, the Commission charged, the defendants failed to issue the required refunds in the same cash, check or money order form as payment was tendered. Alternatively, the customers could use their vouchers to obtain a credit against any purchase of merchandise in the catalog. The consent decree also would bar the defendants from violating the Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule in the future. The Commission vote to authorize the filing of the complaint and proposed consent decree was 5-0. This consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation.
Consent decrees have the force of law when signed by a judge.
Copies of the brochure, as well as the complaint and consent decree in this case, are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.