A woman who says 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Inc. sold her a Merrick franchise that was “doomed for failure” has filed a civil complaint against the Carle Place-based company, alleging that it promised her a Manhattan location and failed to disclose substantial overhead fees.
Kumarie Chetram, 39, said she had only a rudimentary education in her native Guyana when she became involved with 1-800-FLOWERS, which she said led her to spend more than $850,000 in borrowed money and savings over seven years. She said she struggled to maintain an outlet without the training and support the company had promised in their original franchise agreement.
Chetram, of South Richmond Hill, paid $28,500 for her franchise in 1997 and opened the outlet in 1999, after spending $300,000 for renovations and inventory, according to the complaint. It contends the space offered by 1-800-FLOWERS was far too large and too costly for her volume of sales.
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