PITTSBURGH — A local war veteran says he bought a sauna to combat chronic pain in his hand, but he didn’t anticipate the headache that would come along with it.
Brian and Denise Sheetz tell Target 11 they paid nearly $2,000 for an infra-red sauna through Sunshine Sauna -- a company based in New York.
“It would alleviate the pain and be very relaxing,” Brian Sheetz said.
They say they liked it because Brian, an Iraq War veteran, deals with the lingering pains of a grenade explosion.
“I’m in pain 24/7 due to my right hand. My right hand was blown apart,” the Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient said.
The couple says after just three months, the problems with the machine began.
“We purchased it in March, and it was in June that it stopped working,” Denise Sheetz said.
The owner of Sunshine Sauna sent a replacement part, but when the sauna stopped working a second time, there was no response or trace of the company.
Sunshine Sauna has multiple e-mail addresses and phone numbers, but has not responded to messages delivered through any of them. Its old website is no longer up and running.
Sunshine Sauna also has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson region.
There have been other complaints similar to Brian and Denise’s.
The Sheetz say they wanted to get their story out so others don’t fall into similar situations.
“Please do your homework,” Denise Sheetz said.
Target 11 also contacted the New York Attorney General’s Office and a spokesperson said they have received complaints concerning several of the owner’s companies.
WPXI
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