More than 100 customers of a Greater Toronto Area (GTA) appliance repair company are coming together to voice their frustrations and seek legal action. They allege that the company, known as The A Team Appliance Repair, has failed to address numerous complaints regarding poor service and unfulfilled refund requests.
Key Takeaways
Over 100 customers are banding together for legal action against The A Team Appliance Repair.
Many customers report shoddy repairs and unresponsive customer service.
The Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery is investigating the company for potential violations of the Consumer Protection Act.
Phil Watkins, a resident near Hamilton, initiated a Facebook group to raise awareness after he experienced issues with his microwave repair. He stated, "I was shocked at how many people had similar experiences. I get an email nearly every other day from another person who claims this company has ripped them off."
Linda Goranson, a Toronto resident, shared her experience after hiring the company to fix her clothes dryer. After paying an initial service fee of $80, she was quoted an additional $200 for repairs. However, after the technician left, the dryer still did not work. When she contacted the company, they informed her that she needed to pay an additional $380 for a new part, which she was pressured to pay in cash or debit.
The A Team Appliance Repair has received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau, with a staggering 783 complaints filed against them, many of which remain unresolved. Customers like Nancy Calvert-Koyzis and her husband David have also shared their stories of being misled about necessary repairs and struggling to obtain refunds.
Government Action
The Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery has taken notice of the growing number of complaints against The A Team Appliance Repair. The company has been placed on a “beware list,” and the ministry has initiated an investigation into the business practices of the company and its director, Chen Kochavi.
The ministry has laid 17 charges against the company and its director for violations of the Consumer Protection Act, including unfair business practices and failure to issue refunds. Penalties for such violations can include hefty fines and potential imprisonment.
Customers Consider Legal Options
As frustrations mount, Watkins is exploring the possibility of a class action lawsuit. Attorney Rocco Scocco, who specializes in fraud cases, noted that customers have the right to pursue legal action collectively. He explained, "There are ways to do class actions, but there are also ways to do what’s called mass torts, where a collection of people can work together to seek justice."
Many former customers, including Goranson, are eager to join the legal efforts to reclaim their lost funds. Goranson expressed her disappointment, stating, "I now have to buy a new dryer, which is what I wish I had done in the beginning to avoid all of this. At this point, I just want my money back."
As the situation unfolds, the collective voices of these scorned customers highlight the importance of consumer protection and accountability in the service industry. The A Team Appliance Repair's future remains uncertain as investigations continue and customers seek justice for their grievances.
Sources
'How are they still in business?': Scorned customers of appliance repair company speak out, CityNews Toronto.
Hundreds of scorned customers of GTA appliance repair company speak out, CityNews Toronto.
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