Contractors come up short. Don’t be left holding the bag.

All across Hurricane Country there are people getting ripped off by unscrupulous installers and contractors in the Hurricane protection industry. Don’t let this happen to you!

In a report by NBC6.net on June 13, 2006 Storm Shutters of Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida has reportedly failed to deliver shutters to customers in Ft. Lauderdale. According to the report, Louise Diamond ordered shutters back in November and gave Storm Shutters of Florida a deposit of $4,220 and still hasn’t seen her shutters or a refund seven months later. According to NBC6.net this isn’t an isolated account:

“NBC 6 discovered that the five residents were not the only people who claimed they were ripped off by Storm Shutters of Florida. According to the management at one building, there are at least 100 other residents who also signed contracts and paid deposits, but never got shutters, Connable reported.”

Hurricane Roofer Runs afoul of customers in West Virginia

Mountaineer Roof and Construction received 21 customer complaints at the State’s Attorney General Office according to the Charleston Gazette in an article published on June 16, 2006.

“Blair is one of 21 homeowners who have filed a complaint against Mountaineer Roof with the state attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division. Attorney General Darrell McGraw sued the Hurricane company two weeks ago in Kanawha Circuit Court.”

It pays to check the facts. Another customer reportedly burned by Mountainer Roof could have found out the skinny on them by placing a call to the State Attorney General.

“In hindsight, Jackson said, she wishes she had called the attorney general’s consumer office, which started getting complaints about Mountaineer Roof in 1998.”

While a complaint or two with the BBB or the Attorney General isn’t a clear indictment of a company, a number of complaints every year, or a sudden spate of complaints IS something to be worried about.

Here are some simple steps to take to avoid being ripped off:

• Check references (make sure they’re relatively recent)
• Check for proper licensing and insurance
• Check with the better business bureau for complaints
• Check with the Attorney General’s office for complaints
• Don’t give the company a large deposit
• Check the contract for details on getting your deposit back and canceling your contract
• Don’t be pressured into signing a contract on the spot to win ‘big’ savings - instead ask for a copy of the terms to study carefully once the salesman has left
• Get at least 3-5 estimates - ask each company what and whom to be wary of (most companies are reputable and will warn you of scammers in the market). While you can’t trust everything you hear this can be useful information that you can compare to the other intelligence that you collect.