By Richard Cordray, Ohio Attorney General

It is clear that Ohioans are fed up with companies not fulfilling promises and providing shoddy service. Last year, consumers reported to my office a record number of complaints about how they were treated in the marketplace. This year’s total – 30,259 – is a 20 percent increase from 2008, when the office received 25,247 such complaints.

The numbers prove that Ohioans are sick and tired of being nickel-and-dimed by those who try to deceive them or who fail to follow through on their promises.

The year’s top complaint concerned automobiles – not just sales but also repairs and other services. Also high on the list were financial services (including collections), property improvements and Internet and phone service.

Our high number of complaints means that not only are individuals helping themselves – through the office’s complaint resolution process and legal action, approximately $7 million in consumer restitution, civil penalties, costs and other relief was generated in 2009 – they are also helping their families, friends and neighbors.

A large number of complaints helps my office take legal action to shut down unscrupulous operators, because our complaint resolution process allows us to keep our finger on the pulse of Ohio’s marketplace.

We track companies, watch for trends and stay on top of scams. It is our priority to ensure Ohio consumers are treated fairly and have recourse from deceptive practices.

In 2009, largely in answer to consumer complaints, we filed 37 cases against companies that were taking advantage of Ohioans.

Here’s an example: We filed a lawsuit against a company called BlueHippo, which charged that it violated Ohioans’ consumer rights with its sale of home computers through layaway and credit sales agreements (you might have seen BlueHippo’s advertisements on TV).

Consumers filed more than 80 complaints against BlueHippo last year. The basis of the complaints ranged from consumers never receiving computers that were ordered through the layaway program to not receiving refunds that were due.

Without the complaints – without consumers acting on their frustration at feeling mistreated – we could not have filed this and other lawsuits.

So, to further assist Ohioans who have had enough, we made filing a complaint easy by introducing a one step process for those who call our hotline at (800) 282-0515 and introducing www.SpeakOutOhio.gov. Now, more than ever, filing a complaint is quick and easy.

So if something in the marketplace is frustrating you, resolve this year to do something about it. You will be doing yourself – and others – a big favor.

Photo by zachklein used under CC license