BBB issues warning about plowing crews
Customers paid for services, never got them
The Better Business Bureau on Wednesday issued a warning about a snow removal company that the organization says took customers’ money but then never showed up to clear snow in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota.
“The Better Business Bureaus Serving Wisconsin, Chicago and Minnesota are issuing an alert concerning a snow plowing business — Snow Angels, LLC,” the consumer watchdog organization said in a statement.
“The company and its alleged principal and registered agent, Matthew Erickson, purportedly took pre-payments of $350-$650 in full from customers for plowing services for the 20172018 winter season, but never performed the work,” according to the statement.
According to the BBB, on Jan. 15, a customer inquired about plowing and received an email response from the company that stated:
“We regret to inform you that we will not be able to service your route tonight. Our company will be folding. We were delaying this decision until after this storm in order to provide service today. However, due to unforeseen logistical difficulties, we will not be able to clear this snow fall or any in the future.”
To date, requests for refunds from consumers have gone unanswered, according to the BBB.
At least two police departments, Elm Grove and Greendale, have been contacted by people alleging that they paid the company for snow removal services and received none.
In the Elm Grove case, a customer last fall paid the company $625 for snow removal services for the coming snow season. The check was cashed Nov. 24. But no snow removal work has been done, according to a police report.
Snow Angels LLC is newly incorporated in all three states and uses addresses that are all UPS stores.
A check of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions online records shows the company incorporated in the state on Nov. 13.
The BBB says all listed telephone numbers for the company are disconnected.
Attempts by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to reach the company were unsuccessful.
“Recent mail sent to the company’s Milwaukee address (554 E. Ogden Ave., Suite 700) has been returned by the U.S. Postal Service marked, ‘Return to Sender,’ ” according to the BBB.
The Wisconsin, Chicago and Minnesota BBBs have not been able to reach the company.
“In Minnesota, the company did provide at least some service according to three local complainants. However, the complainants indicate that Snow Angels, LLC has not been responsive after recent snowfalls and state they have not fulfilled their contractual obligations,” the statement said.
The BBB offers the following tips when hiring a snow removal company:
❚ Get several estimates. Prices can vary widely and are usually based on the size and layout of the area to be cleared.
❚ Split the payments. Most snow plow companies request pre-pay services in full, upfront. Contracts take two forms: pay per plowing or pay per season. If consumers choose a payper-season contract in a light snow season, the contractor is not obligated to refund any money. If consumers are expected to pay all fees upfront, consider it a red flag. Most contractors will split fees into payments at the beginning, middle and end of the season. Never pay in cash.
❚ Ask the contractor about additional charges.
❚ Make sure you know what services you’re getting. Are the walks and steps included? What about the cost of sand and salt? Will the company clear only after a storm, or during the snowfall as well? If the contractor has to come back, is there an additional charge? Ask if the company will remove heavy snow loads from a building roof. Is there an additional charge?
❚ Ask for references and check them out.
❚ Do not settle on an agreement over the telephone. The contractor should provide you with a written agreement. A representative should come out to examine your property.
❚ Ask who will be responsible for damages, if the contractor is insured or bonded, and how you can terminate the agreement if necessary.
❚ Get contact information for the company in the case of a snow emergency, and know the policies about who to reach, standard phone numbers and any special number for urgent needs. Get the company’s street address and check out the address by doing a reverse check as well as a Google search.