Flyers claiming neighborhoods were hit by hail, make big promises.
COLUMBIA -- It starts out like this, a flyer on a doorknob tells the homeowner that hail has hit the area, and their roof has been damaged.
“I figured it was a scare tactic,” says Columbia resident Elinor Pettit. “It was on my doorknob and I just threw it out.”
Elinor Pettit lives in Columbia’s Elmwood Park, it’s just one Midlands neighborhood that has been tagged with American Shingle storm damage alert signs.
The hanger goes on to say that insurance will cover the cost of replacing the hail damaged roof. The problem is – there isn’t any damage.
“Most people are saying they are getting high-pressure from the roofer to replace the roof right then,” says Jim Camp of the Better Business Bureau of Central South Carolina and Charleston, “and in some cases, the roofer has begun to work on the roof without getting the owner’s permission.”
Jim Camp says the agency has received an unusual amount of calls about American Shingle.
WACH FOX spoke with a former employee of American Shingle on Tuesday, and he said the operation is legitimate.
No formal complaints have been submitted about the company in Columbia, but the Greenville branch has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Camp points out every business has its share of problems, but add its how they deal with them that is the real indicator.
“If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably too good to be true,” said Camp.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH