When you have a complaint that falls outside the jurisdiction of the Fair Business Practices Act or other laws the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs enforces, it may be helpful for you to know about various alternatives available to Georgia consumers.
You may want to examine the terms of your contract, agreement or invoice to see whether the business in question offers an arbitration program. For disputed charges on your credit card, you should notify the credit card company, as well as the merchant, immediately.
There may also be other state or federal laws that give you the right to take individual legal action to address this issue. A private attorney could advise you regarding any options that may apply to your situation, which might include the awarding of reasonable attorney’s fees if the court were to make a judgment in your favor.
Small claims court is another possibility if you have reached an impasse with the business. In disputes of less than $15,000, you may file an action in magistrate court in the county where the company is located. The Clerk of the Court in that county can answer any questions you might have about the process.
You will find information on locating a private attorney to assist you on the State Bar of Georgia web site (under Public Information), as well as in the online Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. You can also inquire with the State Bar about the Georgia Legal Services Program, and you should get in touch with the Bar if you have a complaint or fee dispute involving an attorney practicing in Georgia. The contact information is:
State Bar of Georgia
Consumer Assistance Programs
104 Marietta Street, Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: 404-527-8759 or 800-334-6865
Fax: 404-287-8390