American Freight closed all stores and ceased operations in 2023

American Freight, a furniture and appliance retailer that operated across the United States, filed for bankruptcy and liquidated its inventory through 2023. The company stopped accepting new orders and closed its physical locations. If you had an account with American Freight, made a purchase, or had an outstanding order when the company shut down, you need to know how to find information about your account and any refunds or credits you may be owed.

The liquidation process for American Freight involved selling remaining inventory through liquidation sales and online channels. Customers with pending orders, layaway accounts, or credit balances faced different outcomes depending on the timing of their transactions and the stage of the bankruptcy process.

Key Takeaways

  • American Freight ceased all operations in 2023 after filing for bankruptcy, and no new orders can be placed through the company.
  • Customers with layaway accounts or pending orders should contact the bankruptcy trustee or claims agent listed in official bankruptcy documents to report what they are owed.
  • Refunds for orders paid in full but not delivered may be processed through the bankruptcy estate, though the timeline and amount depend on the priority of claims.
  • Credit card chargebacks and disputes with your card issuer are an option if you paid by credit card and did not receive merchandise or a refund.
  • The Federal Trade Commission maintains a record of complaints about the closure and may have contact information for claims processing.

How to find information about your American Freight account

Start by locating the official bankruptcy filing documents, which are public record. American Freight's bankruptcy case was filed in federal court, and the case number and trustee information appear in those documents. You can search for the case on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) at pacer.uscourts.gov using the company name and the court location. The bankruptcy trustee's name and contact details will be listed in the case documents.

If you have an order confirmation email, receipt, or account statement from American Freight, gather those documents before contacting anyone. Write down the order number, the amount you paid, the date of purchase, and what you ordered. This information speeds up the process of locating your account in the bankruptcy records.

You can also check the Federal Trade Commission's website at reportfraud.ftc.gov to see if there is a settlement or claims process related to American Freight. The FTC sometimes negotiates refund programs for consumers when a retailer closes, and the details are posted publicly with instructions on how to file a claim.

Refunds for orders that were not delivered

If you paid for merchandise that was never delivered, you have a claim against the bankruptcy estate. The amount you receive depends on how much money is left after the company pays secured creditors (like the bank that financed inventory) and employees. Unsecured creditors—which includes customers owed refunds—are paid last and often receive only a percentage of what they are owed.

To file a claim, you will need to submit a proof of claim form to the bankruptcy trustee. This form asks for your name, address, the amount you claim, and documentation of your purchase (receipt, order confirmation, credit card statement). The important date to file a claim is set by the court and appears in the bankruptcy notice; missing this important date means you lose your right to any refund from the estate.

The trustee will review all claims, determine which ones are valid, and distribute any available funds according to bankruptcy law. This process typically takes several months to over a year, depending on how complex the estate is and how much money is recovered from selling remaining assets.

Layaway accounts and store credit

Customers who had items on layaway or store credit at the time of closure are treated as unsecured creditors in the bankruptcy. If you had paid part of the price but not received the item, or if you had a store credit balance, you can file a claim for the amount you paid or the credit balance.

Layaway claims are often easier to document because you have a layaway agreement or receipt showing what you paid and what item was being held. Store credit claims require proof that the credit existed—a receipt or account statement showing the credit balance. Submit these documents with your proof of claim to the trustee.

Unlike a refund from a credit card company, which you may receive within weeks, a layaway or store credit claim goes through the full bankruptcy process. You will not receive payment until the trustee has collected and distributed funds from the estate.

Disputing charges with your credit card or bank

If you paid by credit card and did not receive merchandise or a refund, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. Contact the customer service number on the back of your card and explain that the merchant closed without delivering the item or refunding your payment. This is called a chargeback dispute.

Credit card companies have their own process for investigating chargebacks. You will typically need to provide your receipt or order confirmation and explain what happened. The card issuer will contact American Freight (or the bankruptcy trustee) to ask for proof that the merchandise was delivered or the refund was issued. If American Freight cannot respond—which is likely given the closure—the card issuer usually sides with you.

A chargeback can result in a refund within 30 to 90 days, which is much faster than waiting for the bankruptcy process. However, you can only dispute charges made within a certain time frame (usually 60 to 120 days from the transaction, depending on your card issuer), so act quickly if you have not already done so.

What happens if you cannot locate your receipt or order information

If you do not have documentation of your purchase, contact your credit card company or bank and ask for a statement showing the transaction. Credit card statements list the merchant name, date, and amount for every purchase. Print or read this statement—it counts as proof of purchase for a bankruptcy claim or a chargeback dispute.

If you paid by check or bank transfer, your bank statement serves the same purpose. If you paid in cash and have no receipt, a claim becomes much harder to prove, but you can still try. Write a detailed account of what you purchased, when, and how much you paid, and submit it with your proof of claim. The trustee may ask for additional information to verify the claim.

For customers who made purchases in-store, you may remember the location. If you can recall the city and approximate date, that information helps the trustee search their records for your transaction, even without a receipt number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still return items I bought from American Freight?

No. American Freight is no longer operating, so returns cannot be processed through the company. If you have an unopened item, your only option is to dispute the charge with your credit card company or file a claim in the bankruptcy for a refund.

How long does it take to get a refund from the bankruptcy?

The timeline varies widely. The trustee must first collect all claims, verify them, liquidate remaining assets, and then distribute funds. This process typically takes six months to two years. You will receive notice from the trustee when a distribution is made.

What if American Freight owes me money but I never made a purchase?

If the company owed you money for a reason other than an unpaid refund—for example, a deposit or a gift card—you can still file a claim. Describe what the money was for and provide any documentation you have. The trustee will determine whether the claim is valid.

Do I have to file a claim, or will American Freight contact me?

You must file a claim yourself. The bankruptcy trustee does not know about your transaction unless you tell them. If you miss the important date to file, you lose your right to any refund from the estate. Check the bankruptcy documents for the exact important date in your case.

What if I disagree with the trustee's decision about my claim?

You can object to the trustee's decision in writing and request a hearing before the bankruptcy judge. The process for objecting is explained in the court documents. An attorney can help, though many people represent themselves in these disputes.