Meat sales company agrees to pay fines

A Spokane Valley company selling meat products door-to-door in Washington has agreed to pay $2,500 in state fines and legal fees, and change its sales practices.

Titleist Meats LLC reached a settlement with the Washington Attorney General’s Office surrounding allegations that the company’s refund and cancellation policies did not comply with state law.

The company was accused of selling rancid meat that had been frozen, said Assistant Attorney General Jack Zurlini of Spokane.

Tammy Vecchio, who owns Titleist with her husband, Richard Vecchio, said the business was not treated fairly.

“They singled us out,” she said.

The Vecchios allege problems throughout the door-to-door meat distribution business, but say they were targeted anyway.

“Apparently, since we answer our phone and pay our taxes, we got to deal with the Attorney General. That’s unfair.”

Titleist has been in business for six years. The Vecchios did not admit any wrongdoing.

The AG Consumer Protection Division launched an investigation into Titleist’s sales practices in response to five consumer complaints.

Under the agreement, Titleist will provide buyers with all government-required notices, receipts and other documentation. Salespeople must also inform buyers of their refund rights.

A federal law provides a refund period of three business days on door-to-door sales of more than $25, the news release said. That same law applies to sales made away from the seller’s usual place of business, including home shows, expos and seminars.

In addition to requiring added disclosure to customers, the agreement gives the Attorney General’s Office the right to inspect Titleist’s business records and requires the company to tell the office about any consumer complaints received during the next year.