Why Venture Went Out of Business

Back in the day when I needed school supplies, my mother would take us out to the Venture store in River Oaks when they sold notebook paper for 10 cents a ream.

Those were the days - we got as much notebook paper as we could hold, and I always used mine up because I was always writing.

I had fond memories of Venture, so when I grew up, I wanted to take advantage of their sales also.

I decided to buy a down comforter that they had on sale for $39.99. I had a full size bed, but I bought a king size comforter because I planned to use it as a bedspread.

At first, all was well. I was snug as a bug in a rug under my new comforter at night. But within the month, my bliss had turned black - the comforter was shedding feathers everywhere! You would have thought that I worked for Colonel Saunders, there were so many feathers in my apartment.

I called Venture to see about taking the comforter back and replacing it. I was informed that it was not eligible for replacement because it was such an intimate item that it couldn't be sold again, so they couldn't take it back.

Who would want to buy it anyway - unless they were taking the feather to put in a more reliable setting?????

Well, if you only paid $39 for it, you got your money's worth!!!!

What did she say that for?

I took the comforter with me to the Attorney General's office on my day off. Within a half hour of assorted coughing, gasping for air, and various allergic reactions at the Chicago office of the Illinois Attorney General, Venture's corporate office was called and a manager was dispatched to replace my comforter.

The manager even gave me my money back, and apologized for the incident. He said Venture wouldn't do business with that vendor again - and they never did.

My replacement comforter lasted long enough for me to save the money to buy something more durable.