The Back Shop

Crooks is an understatement! I spoke with Heather (former employee of the Back Shop) today. She and her colleagues were given 1 day notice by their boss, John G (greg) Lawson, and he closed their doors. Lawson was a partner in three back shops, all of which closed simultaneously. Heather now works for Soma Ergonomics who, ironically, custom made all of The Back & Sleep Shop’s chairs. According to Heather, the way to get your chair is to contact your credit card company, get a refund, then re-​order the chair directly from Soma. Their number is (800) 836‑9130, and you’ll probably get Heather when you call. This is a complete pain in the ass, but maybe some of you will be successful. I wasn’t successful because I waited too long after I placed my order in March to contact VISA to get a refund. So I’m stuck with no chair, and I’m out $ 800+.
If you’re likewise in my same predicament, and want to take this further, here are the culprits’ contact information. First, check out this little flow chart I found on line:
Owner: Richard Bargioni, 139 Meerna Ave., Fairfax, CA 94 930, 457‑9735. Mr. Bargioni has several businesses: Home Care Medical Specialists, Inc., (suspended) Your Back Care Store, Backs & Bones, Inc. (suspended, Anna Alvarez, principal); and The Back Shop at 99 Town & County Village, Palo Alto, CA (also closed). The person running the Back Shop stores (and apparently part owner) was John G. Lawson, but he is difficult to find. I did locate 540 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94 301‑1607 for him, but not sure if that’s still a good address.
The Back Shop in Berkeley was located at 1045 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94 710‑2807 (510) 849‑1925, which is where SOMA currently has their showroom (convenient). The Back Shop phone, of course, has been disconnected. Heather told me that the corporation went bankrupt, but I do not find evidence of that on line. I do find personal bankruptcy filed last year by Bargioni and his wife.
You can contact the Consumer Protection Dept. in the District Attorney’s office (Robert E. Nichols, Deputy District Attorney) at (415) 473‑6450 and file a complaint.
Finally, Bergioni’s attorney (for the bankruptcy) is Benjamin Gale, 4302 Redwood Highway, Suite 100, San Rafael, CA 94 903; 492‑9800.
Good luck!

DO NOT BOTHER GOING HERE — I had the same situation as the post dated 10÷3÷09. I ordered a Soma chair for work and was told it takes 16 weeks for delivery. Well, today is 16 weeks and still nothing. I even tried to call Soma directly because the level of service at ‘The Back Shop’ is so poor, not to mention down right rude! And Soma didn’t even return my call. Instead they advised The Back Shop to respond to me — so I’m losing either way I turn. I should have trusted my instinct when I walked in the place — it’s complete chaos in the business area behind the counter and their floor room the same.
I WILL take the time to report this store to the BBB and CA Consumer Affairs. It’s worth my time — they too have my $ 800 but I have no product.

BEWARE — — - It has been over 17 weeks and still no chair! But they have my $ 1300.00! The chair was estimated to arrive in 8 – 10 weeks (which is already 2 – 4 weeks longer than the manufacturer reports that is takes to get this chair). Look on manufacturer websites (
) for a list of retailers and make a few calls. Discounts are available and reliable retailers are out there. If you have trouble with this store, ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF: use CA Consumer Affairs, and the Better Business Bureau. They have online complaint forms that don’t take a lot of time.