(TOLEDO, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against the operators of a home improvement outfit accused of failing to deliver promised services to consumers across the state.
The lawsuit accuses John Lee Chapman and Trena White, both doing business as Home Investment Time Inc., of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act.
“These defendants are accused of taking thousands of dollars from consumers in advance, and then leaving them with incomplete or shoddy work,” Attorney General DeWine said. “In some cases, they hired subcontractors and paid them just enough to start the work, but then stopped paying them. We want to put an end to the deceptive practices and help consumers recover their money.”
The defendants allegedly operated under numerous business names, including Home Investment Time, U.S. Design Flooring, Home Investments, Chapman Home Improvements, Any Home Repairs and Remodeling, Remodel 4 Less Inc., Home Investment World Inc., All Home Repairs, Home Investor Deals, Home Cosmetics Time Inc., Chapman Home Renovations Inc., Home Repairs on Credit, Home Repair World, and Home QI Inc.
At least 10 consumers from Lorain, Montgomery, Erie, Lucas, or Mahoning County have filed complaints alleging losses totaling more than $14,000, but investigators believe additional consumers may be affected.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants advertised home remodeling services in Ohio newspapers and on Craigslist. They required customers to make upfront payments before work could begin. After paying, some consumers were left with partially completed projects; others were left with nothing at all.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of failing to deliver promised services, performing incomplete or shoddy work, and failing to give consumers proper notice of their cancellation rights under Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Practices Act. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks an injunction to stop further violations, reimbursement for affected consumers, and civil penalties.
Attorney General DeWine offered consumers the following tips for entering into a home improvement transaction:
- Research a company carefully before making any payments. Search for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office or Better Business Bureau. Also conduct an Internet search with the name of the business and words like “reviews” or “complaints.” Be skeptical if you find no information. Some companies change business names regularly to make it harder for consumers to detect their record of shoddy work.
- Get multiple estimates. For a large job, consider contacting at least three different businesses before making a final selection. Keep in mind that the company that gives you the lowest estimate may not necessarily deliver the best results.
- Check your cancellation rights. If a seller does not have a fixed place of business or solicits at your home, you may be entitled to a three-day right to cancel under Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act. Make sure you receive detailed written information about your cancellation rights, as well as the estimated cost of the work, the starting and end dates, and the names of individuals who will perform the services.
- Don’t make large down payments. Be skeptical if someone requires a large down payment, such as a third or more of the total cost, before any work begins. If possible, limit advance payments to no more than 10 percent of the total cost and withhold final payment until the work is complete.
Consumers who have problems with a home improvement purchase or other consumer transaction 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