(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against Mr. Rooter of Youngstown for unfairly upselling services and providing substandard work.
In the complaint, the Attorney General accuses the company of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and seeks consumer restitution, injunctive relief, and civil penalties.
“We’re looking out for consumers,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We’ve had a disproportionate number of complaints against Mr. Rooter of Youngstown, and we’ve found a pattern of problems. We’re seeking refunds for affected consumers and an end to any unfair or deceptive practices.”
Mr. Rooter of Youngstown, which offers plumbing and drain-cleaning services, is located at 97 Karago Ave., Unit 1, in Boardman. It is a franchise of the Mr. Rooter Corporation.
Since 2013, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received approximately 25 complaints against Mr. Rooter of Youngstown. The majority of complaints are unresolved.
According to one complaint, Mr. Rooter gave an elderly consumer an initial estimate of $5,200 for drain services, but then asked for an extra $8,000, claiming additional work was needed. In another complaint, an older couple contacted Mr. Rooter for a $95 drain cleaning service. Within days, Mr. Rooter gave the couple six additional contracts totaling nearly $20,000.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, accuses Mr. Rooter of Youngstown, Mr. Rooter Corporation, and Operations Manager Joseph Kijowski of failing to itemize parts and labor, failing to provide estimates, performing unnecessary repairs, understating or misstating estimated costs, failing to obtain authorization for increased costs, performing substandard work, and starting work before a consumer’s cancellation period ended.
Attorney General DeWine offered consumers the following tips to avoid problems with plumbing services and other home improvement suppliers:
- Research a business. Check for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. Also conduct an Internet search with the name of the business and words such as “reviews” or “complaints.”
- Get multiple estimates. Be wary if one estimate is significantly lower (or higher) than others.
- Get everything in writing. Carefully review a contract before signing it. If a sales representative makes a verbal promise or claim that is not included in the contract, ask to get the information in writing.
- Understand your cancellation rights. You generally have a three-day right to cancel a contract that results from a door-to-door solicitation, and sellers generally should not start any work before this three-day period ends.
Consumers who suspect unfair or deceptive practices 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