A Sumner business has settled with the state after allegations that some of its practices were “unfair and deceptive” under the state Consumer Protection Act, officials with the Attorney General’s Office said Thursday.
The office received 52 complaints against Dick’s Heating and Air Conditioning, and the Better Business Bureau received 29, the state said in a release.
Among the accusations are that the business failed to get customers’ permission before doing work and asking for payment, and that it charged more than competitors while saying its prices were lower, Assistant Attorney General Sarah Shifley said. It also charged for replacement parts still under warranty and collected money from manufacturers for warranty-covered parts after some jobs.
“Unfortunately, with any business serving a high volume of customers, mistakes and misunderstandings will occur,” Dick’s said in a statement, which added that the allegations are disputed in the settlement. “… Dick’s demonstrated that many concerns were unfounded or overstated, and that others represented isolated and inadvertent mistakes ... . Through the process Dick’s was able to improve some of its processes, and will continue to strive to achieve 100 percent satisfaction for all customers.”
The company agreed to stop the practices identified; will pay $33,295 in attorney costs and $8,000 in penalties; and faces a penalty of up to $25,000 per violation if it doesn’t follow the agreement’s terms, the state said.
alexis.krell@thenewstribune.com
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