A Steal on Repairs
By: Source: AARP Bulletin Today Date Posted: 2004-10-05 13:12:00-04:00
Just as sweltering heat blanketed Chicago for a few days last May, Barbara Valzonis’ air conditioning gave out. A repairman she hired on a friend’s referral inspected her 15-year-old system and said it was shot.
Because her furnace was just as old, Valzonis says, the man recommended she replace that, too, for a total cost of $4,400.
"He had me feel the pipes. I didn’t know what I was feeling for," says Valzonis, 58. "All I remember is being extremely miserable, it was so hot. I was dying here." So she gave him a check for $4,400 and waited for him to return with a new air-conditioning and heating system. She’s still waiting.
Valzonis reported the incident to authorities, but the man apparently skipped town. "Did you ever have a moment where you feel so stupid?" she asks.
Each year, thousands of consumers file complaints with local authorities and consumer groups over scams involving improvements and repairs. Many states say this type of fraud, perpetrated by unlicensed contractors or dubious door-to-door salespeople, consistently ranks in the top 10 for most-reported complaints.
"The most common scam comes from unqualified fly-by-nights," says Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America. "They persuade consumers to let them do work, they collect part or all of the payment and then either perform the work very inadequately or not at all. Then the firms disappear."
Stephen Hannan, president of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, says consumers should never accept work from people who call or show up on their doorstep to solicit their services.
"They’ll tell you your roof needs to be redone or your house needs painting," Hannan says. "In some cases they’ll do the work with bad material. They’ll use motor oil to ‘seal’ your driveway or water down the paint so that it washes off with the first rainstorm."
Often, he says, unscrupulous contractors will offer to do a repair or renovation for a low price. But don’t be tempted. Chances are, Hannan says, if you pay them they won’t finish the job.
About a dozen states have guaranty funds that will compensate consumers up to a certain amount for incomplete or shoddy home improvement work, but that typically involves projects larger than fixing an air-conditioning unit.
Maryland and Connecticut, for example, reimburse consumers up to $15,000 each if certain criteria are met. Contractors must be licensed in those states.
Valzonis, who owns a small travel agency, did find a licensed contractor to fix her air conditioner. Turns out it was low on Freon. Cost: $89.
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