Antique Vending Machine Refurbisher Banned From Operating In North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC -- Antiquities Vending Co. specialized in the repair and restoration of antique vending machines, but it repeatedly failed to complete work or return equipment to consumers, according to Attorney General Roy Cooper. As a result, the company is temporarily banned from doing business in North Carolina.

Based in Granite Falls, NC, Antiquities Vending Co. also operated under the name Antique Vending. It reportedly accepted business from consumers across the country and abroad.

"Taking money from consumers and then failing to finish the job is simply the wrong way to do business," Cooper said. "If you pay a professional for work, they should get it done or refund your money."

Under a temporary restraining order signed on April 28 by Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens, Antiquities Vending and its owner, Alan Huffman, are barred from doing business in North Carolina. The defendants cannot advertise or collect payment from North Carolina consumers for antique restoration work, and cannot take advance payments for machine restoration work in the state.

Earlier in April, Cooper filed a lawsuit against Antiquities Vending and Huffman asking the court to order the defendants to return all unshipped packages or reimburse consumers for the value of their contents. The attorney general's office filed the lawsuit based upon complaints from 54 consumers who allegedly hired Antiquities Vending. They claim that the company failed to complete the work on time, provided false updates and shipping estimates, and never returned their property or provided refunds.

Cooper's Consumer Protection Division reportedly heard from several consumers who said that Huffman misled them about when their restorations would be completed and avoided their attempts to contact him about missed deadlines. In other instances, Huffman allegedly responded to concerned consumers by insisting that their antiques were on their way and provided copies of shipping labels as proof, but shipping companies said no such shipments had been scheduled. After paying thousands of dollars in upfront deposits, many consumers said they waited months or even years beyond the promised completion date without receiving their machines or refunds.

North Carolina consumers who hired Antiquities Vending without receiving their property or a refund are encouraged to file a complaint with the state's Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov.