Tips To Deal WIth Door To Door Contractors - KAUZ-TV: Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

A local tree service company has left consumers with unfinished work and out hundreds of dollars. Mr. Houser with Tim's Tree Service and was aggressively going ‘door to door' offering his tree trimming services claiming to be licensed and bonded. Mr. Houser did not have the required solicitation permit with the City of Wichita Falls and consumers are beginning to report that he has left them with unfinished work, if any work at all. All of the reports state that they paid Houser in advance of the work amounting to hundreds of dollars lost.

The Better Business Bureau recommends the following steps before hiring a contractor knocking on your door:

1)    RESEARCH-- Ask the salesmen for written material about the company and let them know you are going to research them first before doing business with them. Ask to see the salesperson's solicitation permit. If they will not present it, cease all business transactions and notify the police. 

2)    GET CONTACT INFO.-- Many complainants had no way to contact the seller if they were dissatisfied. Make sure you have valid contact information should you need a repair. 

3)    TRACK YOUR TRANSACTION-- When paying by check or credit card you have at least some way to protect your money—such as canceling the check or reporting it as fraud to your credit card company. If you pay with cash and are dissatisfied, you're at the mercy of the contractor. 

4)    FILE A COMPLAINT-- If you feel that you were ripped off by a door-to-door contractor, file a complaint with your Better Business Bureau.

For more information, visit www.bbb.org.