(CINCINNATI)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a southwest Ohio tree trimmer accused of performing shoddy, incomplete work and failing to notify consumers about their right to cancel a door-to-door sale.
Kody Sickles, of Springfield, owner of KJ’s Tree Specialists, is accused of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks restitution for consumers, civil penalties, and injunctive relief to stop any further violations from the tree trimmer.
“Consumers expect to receive the services they pay for, and when they don’t, we have an obligation to protect them,” Attorney General DeWine said. “In this case we are seeking reimbursement for consumers who lost money and an end to any violations of the law.”
According to the Attorney General’s lawsuit, Kody Sickles advertised tree and lawn services under the name KJ’s Tree Specialists by soliciting consumers at their homes. Sickles and his employees allegedly collected payment upfront but performed incomplete or shoddy work, in some cases failing to remove tree stumps and limbs, or causing residential damage.
The Attorney General’s Office is aware of eight unresolved complaints, with about $6,000 in reported consumer losses.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, accuses Sickles, doing business as KJ’s Tree Specialists, of the following counts: failure to deliver, shoddy work, failure to register a business name, and failure to provide consumers with notice of their three-day right to cancel.
Under Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act, consumers generally have three business days to cancel most contracts that result from a door-to-door sale. Sellers are required to notify consumers about their cancellation rights and generally they cannot start any services until after the three-day cooling-off period ends.
To avoid scams, consumers should be wary of door-to-door sellers who:
- Come to their door unexpectedly
- Notice a problem with their trees, roof, or driveway
- Say they have leftover materials from a neighbor's job
- Offer very low prices
- Accept cash or check only
- Require large advance payments
- Start work immediately
Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Documents
Lawsuit (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840