Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a lawsuit today against Little Rock-based retailer Bourbon & Boots for deceptive practices in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
According to Rutledge, the company violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The lawsuit is asking the circuit court for restitution of almost $20,000 plus attorneys’ fees and other costs.
“Bourbon & Boots advertised itself as a southern lifestyle brand which offered artisan inspired and quality craftsmanship,” Rutledge said. “Instead, consumers unwittingly wasted their hard-earned money on these products, only to never receive them or receive the wrong item. I will not tolerate deceptive business practices and will do everything in my power to ensure that the company and its owner are held responsible for their damaging actions.”
According to the Attorney General’s office, 55 complaints have been documented where the company failed to deliver items, fulfill orders or refund money. Rutledge’s office is also reviewing complaints – almost 300 – made to the Better Business Bureau.
Bourbon and Boots currently holds an “F” rating on the Better Business Bureau. There are 285 complaints listed in the past three years and 160 complaints in the past 12 months.
On the Better Business Bureau’s website, there is an alert informing consumers that over 100 complaints have been filed against the company, establishing a pattern where consumers order and pay for products and do not receive them. The first notification was posted in Feburary 2017, and the most recent notification was January 7, 2019.
The company was founded in 2012 as a Southern-inspired brand and online shop. In 2015, it was acquired by XCelerate Capital.
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