Gastonia landscaper tops BBB's 'Dirty Half-Dozen' list

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Better Business Bureau announced Thursday its annual "Dirty Half Dozen" list of the top six area businesses with the most unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016.

"These six companies have made BBB's list for unacceptable business practices," Bartholomy said. "When companies don't resolve or respond to complaints, they usually don't stay in business very long because consumers are checking businesses out in record numbers."
 
Gastonia Landscaping topped the list at No. 1. Action 9 reported on the company in 2015.
 
Diana Botella said she hired Scott Pruitt to build a fence, concrete slab and retaining wall in her backyard and that she gave him about $6,000 up front.
 
The project dragged on and that she hasn't heard from Pruitt since January. 
 
"We're not talking chump change either," she said. "It's not like I just gave them $500 and, 'Oh, well, that's it.' We're talking six grand. You know, that's a lot of money."
 
The city ordered her to clean up part of the mess that was impacting her neighbor, Botella said. She said the bill was $1,000. 
 
She also told Action 9 she ended up hiring another contractor to finish the project for $13,000.
 
Another customer, Joanne Roy, said Pruitt didn't finish her deck either.
 
"It looked like a bomb hit my backyard," she said.

One business responded to Action 9 for a comment.

"We would like to express our apologizes for our non-compliance with our BBB complaints,” Flat Rate Movers told Action 9. “We have been significantly under-staffed in this area which has led to a piled up on us over the last year or so. We do way more good business than bad business and we are disappointed with our current public reputation which has hit a low point. We guarantee a renewed effort will be put in place to gratify our clients future and past.

We truly understand the role the BBB plays in the community and look to take a more active role. Senior management is going to open all cases for a resolution. Plus a new department is in discussion to see where an application can be applied to visually see what is being shipped to give customers a pre-warning on coverage."

If you hire a contractor:

• Look up reviews online
• Don't pay more than a third upfront unless it is a unique job
• Get the deal in writing, especially when the contractor plans to finish the project and what happens if he/she doesn't make that deadline

1. Gastonia Landscaping (BBB grade F): Complainants allege that they paid deposits to this Gastonia-based landscaping service for jobs that were delayed longer than expected or they paid for work that was started, but not finished. Complainants also allege that the company will not honor warranty agreements. Six unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016 and 22 total complaints in the past 36 months. Repeat offender.

2. AFSCO (BBB grade F): Complainants allege that this Fort Mill-based collections agency called them about debts they did not owe and threatened to have them arrested if they did not pay the debt immediately. Five unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016 and 11 total complaints from consumers living in 10 states in the past 36 months. Repeat offender.

3. Auto City, LLC -

Auto City, Inc.

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(BBB grade F): Complainants allege that they bought a car from this Charlotte-based used car dealer and then had problems with getting the car's title or registration and tags. Other complainants allege that the car they purchased had undisclosed damage. Five unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016 and 16 total complaints in the past 36 months.

4. Flat Rate Movers (BBB grade F): Complainants allege that this Fort Mill-based moving service damaged their furniture, damaged their homes, and/or would not deliver their furnishings unless additional money was paid. Five unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016 and eight total complaints in the past 36 months.

5. United Towing, Inc. (BBB grade F): Complaints allege that this Charlotte-based towing service engaged in predatory towing/booting of cars within minutes of them parking their car or that the company damaged their cars during the tow and refused to pay for damages. The company refutes these claims and says that people who park in lots where spaces are reserved or designated for specific businesses are stealing parking. Four unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016 and 15 total complaints in the past 36 months. Repeat offender.

6. Professional Appliance Service (BBB grade F): Complainants allege that they contacted with this Charlotte-based appliance repair company to repair a broken appliance and that the company said a part needed to be ordered. Complainants further allege that the company collected an upfront fee to order the part ranging from $109 to $1036, but did not return to install the part or fix the appliance. Some complainants also allege that the company damaged their floors. Three unanswered and unresolved complaints in the first half of 2016 and 15 total complaints in the past 36 months.

Cox Media Group