Double Ripoff: Carbon Builders Association president, Nicholas Belfino, Tries To Steal Our Freedom of Speech - We Were Already "Taken" for $1000 by His Member's Shoddy Work!
I'm a senior citizen, 77, and being on Social Security doesn't give a person a lot of extra cash to throw away, so I tried to make sure we got a reliable, professional contractor. I hired one of Carbon Builders Association's recommended "Reputable Contractors", Mr. Christopher Cronshey, to install 2 new entry doors. I depended on their website claims that they represent professional, ethical, and experienced contractors. Some quotes from their site:
"The Carbon Builders Association also strives to be a service to the community. Our organization promotes ethical business practices..."
"Hire a professional contractor who is a member of the builders association. If you are ready to build a new home; remodel an existing one, or looking for repairs you are probably wondering what to look for in a responsible builder or contractor."
"... Working to assure you of high quality and up-to-date
workmanship for your new home or remodeling project."
What we got was a pitiful attempt at door installation by an unqualified contractor. Mr. Cronshey took $1000 downpayment from us & gave us damaged, used-looking doors that are so badly installed that they have to be replaced - plus it will cost extra to repair the damages he did to our property during installation.
Mr. Cronshey refused to give us what we were promised, and also was deceiving us about the fact that he voided the manufacturer's warranties with his incompetent installation. We tried to get estimates for repairs, but were told by each contractor that the doors need to be removed & replaced with new ones as repairs would be much more expensive.
I kept a chronology of events on a webpage, with photos of the work done - it was a decent, honest, factual report of what happened. The full story with installation photos and the emails with the Carbon and Pennsylvania Builders Association can be seen at http://myphilipsdoors. Googlepages.com (or search google for myphilipsdoors)
When we notified the Builders Association about what happened, their main concern was not with how their member conducted his business nor with the quality of his work.instead, they urged us to pay their member the balance of $811 for this shoddy work.
When we didn't, we were slapped with a threat from the president of Carbon Builders to remove their name & the link to their website main page of "How to Hire A Reputable Contractor" from our website. The ONLY mention we made of Carbon Builders was in this sentence: "We felt confident that we would get professional installation, as he belonged to Carbon Builders Association"!
... Some quotes from Nicholas Belfino' email (full emails are on our site):
"Your site states, "We felt confident that we would get professional installation, as he belonged to Carbon Builders Association". We are requesting that you remove this sentence and all reference to our association and the link to our website." and "We are currently discussing this matter with our legal council and action will be taken if this is not removed by the close of business February 13."
Instead of removing their name, I added their emails onto my webpage, so we'll see what legal action they are going to take. Will they try to get my website taken down to "protect their reputable contractor" so they can continue to promote his business? Will they take frivolous legal action? Is this kind of "protection" part of the "benefits package" that members pay for?
I may be old with limited income, but my Freedom of Speech is pricless and we will not be threatened into hiding our consumer complaint or the fact that Mr. Cronshey is promoted as a recommended reputable contractor by Carbon Builders Association.
0 comments