Monster Hockey Shut Down By Attorney General
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced a lawsuit against Pottstown-based Monster Hockey Inc. and its president and CEO, Jeffrey Laum, alleging the defendants entered into contracts with consumers to sell hockey equipment and related supplies through its website, but failed to deliver products and failed to refund consumers’ money.
Despite being more than a year-and-a-half behind on filling consumers’ orders, the lawsuit contends Monster Hockey and Laum have continued to accept orders and collect money from consumers via monsterhockeyinc.com. When those consumers reached out to the company to inquire as to the status of their order, they were either ignored or given excuse after excuse.
“Everyone has the right to make a profit but every company also has the responsibility to treat customers fairly,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “With this lawsuit, we are lighting the lamp for the people who visited this company’s website and got more excuses than merchandise; more frustration than satisfaction.”
When one consumer posted a complaint on the company’s Facebook page, rather than address the consumer’s issue, the company quickly deleted the comment. The lawsuit contends the defendants eventually began to tell consumers they would receive refunds by June 2019. Those refunds, however, never came.
“I was a repeat customer because my previous purchase was handled in a timely fashion and the communication was good. I am also a veteran and I like supporting fellow veterans and their businesses that have a good product,” said Russell Handy, a consumer who paid for $130 worth of hockey gear from Monster Hockey but never received the merchandise. “I’m hoping this lawsuit means no one else is going to get scammed, and I’m hoping to get my money back.”
The lawsuit requests the court order the defendants to:
- Pay restitution to all people and businesses who have suffered losses as a result of the defendants’ conduct;
- Be permanently enjoined from 1) doing business as a seller of goods or services in Pennsylvania or to Pennsylvania residents and businesses, and 2) any practices that violate the Consumer Protection Law; and
- Pay civil penalties of $1,000 for each violation of the Consumer Protection Law and $3,000 for each violation involving a consumer 60 or older.
Anyone who feels they were victimized by Monster Hockey is encouraged to file a complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov or contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or s
ca**@at*************.gov
.