Dear Editor, I
’m writing to warn your readers about a con-artist posing as a
“garage door contractor” in the Morgan Hill and San Jose area. I
hope to make people in search of a ‘good deal’ realize they are
responsible for doing research before giving money to anyone
promising to do work for them (even w
ith a contract).
Dear Editor,
I’m writing to warn your readers about a con-artist posing as a “garage door contractor” in the Morgan Hill and San Jose area. I hope to make people in search of a ‘good deal’ realize they are responsible for doing research before giving money to anyone promising to do work for them (even with a contract).
In the past month this person has run classified ads in both the Morgan Hill Times and the San Jose Mercury under Home Services to repair or replace garage doors.
He collects the money, in my case a check, which he took straight to my bank and cashed, then doesn’t show for appointment. He answers calls in the beginning, it would seem to string you along, and gives various excuses for not doing the work. Eventually, he stops returning calls. I was told I would get a refund in the form of a cashier’s check in the mail, which, of course, never came.
When I spoke to an assistant editor at The Mercury, she knew of three other complaints called in on this same person, Steve Newman. Unfortunately, he didn’t return their calls either.
I’ve followed the advice given me to contact the Better Business Bureau and the CSLB to file a complaint. But I don’t have much hope of recovering my money.
I now know that I should have done the following to confirm this sort of thing wouldn’t happen:
• Ask contractor for business card with contractor’s lisence number on it. If he doesn’t have card, be sure his name, address and phone number are printed on the invoice.
• Call or go online to CSLB to verify lisence number is valid.
• Check BBB for complaints.
• Don’t give him more than 10 percent of the total estimate up front.
I hope someone can benefit from my mistakes by avoiding people like this and keep them out of business.
Jonnie Gault, Morgan Hill
