In late October, I signed a contract with Great Improvements, whose main office supposedly was in Princeton, New Jersey. As a deposit against a replacement roof, they asked for $1170.00. Ralph Ruggiero, the salesman, promised that the materials would be delivered in five weeks and the work would start shortly thereafter. My check was cashed on November 1.
In late November, I e-mailed them and asked when the work would start. They promised to get back to me within a week. Dozens of e-mails and phone calls followed. No work was ever done. Their phones are permanently manned by answering machines.By January, they stopped answering the e-mails completely. Their website disappeared.
Shortly after I filed suit in Small Claims Court against the company and one of the partners, I received notice that the partner, Jeremy Stigler, had filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 13. (Mr. Stigler signed and cashed my check). Since the company is NOT out of business, I pursued the claim and was awarded a default judgment.in trying to find their assets, I've learned a lot about their background.
1. They were referred to me as Great Expectations LLC (limited liability company). Their letterhead merely states Great Expectations. No evidence that these are the same organizations.
2. Great Expectations Windows Doors and More LLC filed with the State of New Jersey, listing partners as "Jeremy J. Stigler" and "Walter Michael Keaton".
3. The contract lists headquarters as 24A Jefferson Plaza, Princeton. That address is not listed anywhere else — not with Servicemagic.com and not with the state.
4. The state filing lists the headquarters as 720 Millbrook Avenue, and it states that the company owns the property. Not true: A property search shows this property is actually owned by Janet and Robert Malkemes. Residing at the address is a "Michael Keeton".
5. A trade certificate was filed with the state using 747 Coral Avenue, Lakewood, NJ as the address. That seems to be Jeremy Stigler's home address. The second parties listed on this filing were "Jeremy Stigler" and "Walter M. Keeron".
6. Another trade certificate was filed in Barnegat, New Jersey, listing Great Expectations as the first party and "Ann Marie Keeton" as a second party.
7. The Better Business Bureau is now giving Great Expectations an unsatisfactory rating. However, the Millbrook Road address in Bricktown is listed with the BBB as a Dating Service! All of the contact info is identical to that of the so-called home improvement business.
Mr. Stigler has filed for personal bankruptcy under Chapter 13 which allows him to reorganize and continue to do business. It also allows him to keep funds that he obtained through fraud.
This group uses internet sites such as Servicemagic.com and others to make contact with consumers. They do business throughout the tri-state (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) area. Their multiple company names and the aliases of at least one partner make it clear that this group are professional thieves who should not be allowed to continue in business.
Mary Ann
Lodi, New Jersey
0 comments