American Shingle Roofing “has been forced to close its doors due to significant financial hardship.”
That is the message countless Middle Tennesseans who did business with the controversial roofing company are now receiving.
Messed Up has obtained a copy of the document which states the following:
American Shingle has been forced to close its doors due to significant financial hardship. Under advisement of counsel we are beginning an orderly wind down of the business. American Shingle will continue to collect the money owed to us for completed work. Any monies collected will be used to refund our creditors, which is inclusive of the homeowners whose roofs have not yet been installed.
Your patience and cooperation in this process is appreciated. In the near future all homeowners with roofs yet to be installed will receive additional information regarding the status of their refund
Regretfully,
American Shingle Customer Accounts
Messed Up has tried repeatedly to get someone, anyone from American Shingle on the phone.
We have called the Nashville office, the Atlanta office and even the Charlotte office.
We get the same recording at each: “Due to high call volumes… blah, blah, blah…”
What is happening is exactly what many at the Better Business Bureau and the roofing industry predicted would.
To try and erase the negative stigma that American Shingle has cast on the entire roofing industry in Middle Tennessee, reputable area roofers decided to give back.
There are countless families who need help, but by the winds of luck, the family that is getting a new roof is William Sneed who lives in Woodbine.
We met Sneed by accident on August 17 at the main office for American Shingle in south Nashville.
It was the usual story. Sneed’s insurance company had authorized thousands of dollars to American Shingle to fix Sneed’s roof. Weeks and weeks went by and nothing happened.
All Star Roofing owner Steve Morgan saw the story and contacted his friends in the roofing business. He called ABC Roofing and the good people at the Home Depot.
Morgan got the companies to donate time and materials and they plan to do the job that American Shingle did not.
“It’s a point of watching people get taken advantage of and a black eye [for the roofing industry] and I called some guys. They donated the shingles and the felt and the nails.”
Morgan wants to remind citizens that there are plenty of good roofers in Middle Tennessee.
“Call the BBB the next time before doing business. Check with the state and ask for insurance and licensing and bonds and get references. Don’t make a split decision. [Fly by night roofers] are fast talkers.”
What surprises me is how emotional Bill Sneed’s wife is about the roofing issue.
Rachel Sneed is coming up on 72 years of age and she has not been in good health. With lip quivering and emotions super charged she thanks the roofers and Channel 2 for her good fortune, but she also has caustic words for the people of American Shingle.
“I think it is great what [the roofers] are doing here. It put me in bed three days, I was so sick. I called every number on that paper, and they never answered. I knew something was going on. It makes me [not trust] people, till I met these people here and Channel 2. God bless [the roofers].”
I bring up the other countless victims in Middle Tennessee and she becomes more emotional.
“I feel sorry for them. My heart goes out to them. I prayed for not just us, but I prayed for all the others who were taken. I know how they feel. I cried I was so upset. I have lost so much weight. I had a funny feeling something was wrong. My husband is sick. He’s had seven major surgeries. I don’t think he would have turned that check over to them, but they out talked him. They were smart and shrewd. I pray to God, that they catch them. I want them in jail. For the pain they have caused me, the pain, and for the other people not just me. Those other poor people, they are crooks!”
The BBB says customers should still register all complaints with them.
Messed Up has contacted the Tennessee Attorney General’s office where sources say it is possible state and/or federal authorities could get involved.
If you are a customer of American Shingle and you got your money back or your roof fixed, consider yourself lucky.
Messed Up has spent months investigating the Atlanta based roofing company. We have taken dozens of complaints talking to victims and former company employees. Messed Up has been to the main office in south Nashville a half a dozen times trying to get comment.
Here’s the latest.
As many frustrated customers know, as of this writing, 8-18-10 when you call a number for the company you get an answering machine that does not allow you to leave a message.
The message says, “Thanks for calling American Shingle. Our offices are currently closed while we relocate to our new facility. These changes will allow us to better serve you with your request. We will reopen on Monday, August 16, thank you.”
On Tuesday, August 17, one day after the offices are supposed to reopen, Messed Up goes to the Metroplex offices and finds the doors locked and the office empty.
We look inside the boiler room and see a classroom with motivational phrases and posters. We see a black board with names and financial incentives.
While here, we meet frustrated customer, William Sneed. The Woodbine man has traveled to this location looking for answers.
Sneed says his insurance company paid American Shingle $5,000 to fix his roof. That was months ago. Now Sneed feels like he has been scammed.
“I have not been scammed in a long time,” he says softly.
“I am not saying they won’t reopen,” I say. “It just seems most companies would announce a grand gala opening, here is our phone number and address and that is not happening here.”
“You can’t contact them,” he chimes in.
Officials with the Nashville business park where American Shingle is headquartered tell me the roofing company didn’t indicate it was leaving nor did it leave any forwarding information.
The Better Business Bureau says it is taking complaints and compiling information against the company.
Kathleen Calligan at the BBB says the Attorney General’s office of North Carolina is taking action against the roofer.
Could that happen here? Calligan urges anyone who feels like they have been victimized to contact the Better Business Bureau.
Messed Up tries repeatedly to get comment from Public Relations officer, Jamie Werner at jwerner@americanshingle.com. We get no response. We call her number 678-495-7198 numerous times and get no calls back.
Messed Up staffers tried calling the main headquarters in Atlanta only to be connected to the same answering machine message we heard here in Nashville.
That’s not a good sign.
BBB Contact Info:
Middle Tennessee Headquarters
201 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 100
P.O. Box 198436
Nashville, TN 37219
Phone: 615-242-4222
Fax: 6150-250-4245
Email: BBBNash@aol.com Click here to file a complaint.
Daniel Rushton and Emily Lester are getting married on Saturday, October 9. The honeymoon was supposed to begin on Sunday, October 10.
The couple has been planning for months, including booking their flights and accommodations in the Bahamas.
Rushton tells Messed Up the couple paid American Airlines $760 up front for that Sunday flight. They also rented an exclusive beach bungalow for $1,400.
That was in June.
Then, in early August, the couple reportedly received a call from American Airlines telling them that the airline no longer flies to the island on Sundays.
According to Rushton, the American Airlines officials he is dealing with tell him to fly on Saturday, the day of his wedding, or fly on Tuesday, meaning he will miss two days of his honeymoon. Missing two days of his honeymoon also means he will lose those days on the bungalow he has pre-paid.
Frustrated, Rushton contacts Messed Up.
Below is the couple’s email:
Dear Andy,
I am writing you as I sit here with my lovely fiancée in tears thanks to American Airlines. About two months ago, Emily and I purchased tickets to the Bahamas for our upcoming honeymoon in October. We booked our tickets way in advance in an effort to get the best deal and while there were many carriers offering service to the Bahamas, AA had the best deal. Yesterday, Emily received a phone call from AA stating that they were very sorry but they no longer offer service to the Bahamas. Our options are a full refund of the cost of our tickets, or to change our flight to another day and or destination. Unfortunately, trusting that our reservations would be honored by AA, we also booked accommodations in the Bahamas which are only refundable in the event of severe weather (hurricane). So now here we are with an entire honeymoon paid for in the Bahamas and no way to get there.
The prices of tickets now are around $1,000 more than what we originally paid.
Emily and I have both made countless calls to the airlines. I suggested that if they could not honor our reservation that they book us a flight on another airline and pay whatever difference there may be. Each time we call we receive the same answer, “there’s nothing AA can do.” I understand that airlines quite often have to alter their flight schedules for any number of reasons, but in those events, should they not find another way to honor the reservation you’ve made? Otherwise, what good is a reservation? As of yet no one at AA has been able to give me a reason as to why they “no longer fly to the Bahamas on Sundays”. All I know is they have ruined our honeymoon, caused us both a huge amount of stress, and showed no remorse whatsoever. They have made no attempts to rectify the situation.
It’s obvious to me that AA cares very little about their customers and we are insignificant to them. I plan to take this story to anyone I can including the BBB. I’ve never felt so helpless, disappointed, and just downright angry. Any help you might offer in exposing AA for the spineless drivel that they are would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
Daniel. R. Rushton
Emily M. Lester
Messed Up got in touch with the PR machine at American Airlines. A former journalist turned Media Relations man named Tim Smith looked into the issue and here is his response to Messed Up:
Customers sent information and e-mail to us on August 7. We responded to them on August 8.
Per our Contract of Carriage, our schedules are not guaranteed (no airline does), but when we do make a schedule adjustment, we try to work with each customer to try and find an acceptable alternative. We do not typically reroute onto another airline because of a schedule change – no airline normally does that. If none of our options are acceptable, then we will offer the customers a refund.
In the case, we no longer offer every-day service to their original arrival airport. We offered to reroute them to an alternate airport in the Bahamas on their original same day; or change their date of departure so that they can still fly to the same arrival airport – both free of charge – no change fees. They elected to move their departure date from October 10 to October 12. In this case, the new fare was actually lower for their new flights, and we gave them a refund of the difference ($20 each).
We will also provide each of them with an eVoucher as a gesture of goodwill. I will check on the amount if I can.
Tim Smith
American Airlines
Media Relations
817-967-1577
As of 8/11/10, Daniel Rushton reports that American Airlines has offered the couple $300 to fly anywhere they want to go in the next year.
Rushton tells Messed Up that he was not satisfied with the options American Airlines offered, but out of all the possibilities, flying to the island they want to travel to on Tuesday, instead of Sunday is the best option.
After Messed Up got involved and he heard back from American Airlines, Rushton writes this:
Andy, just to bring you up to speed, I just received an e-mail from the airlines apologizing and offering two e-vouchers towards AA flights for $150 each. It would appear that they have finally taken the matter seriously. While it doesn’t’ change the fact that the whole experience has been miserable, at least they have made a gesture to compensate us and have acknowledged that what they did was wrong. I really appreciate your interest in our story.
Thanks again,
Daniel & Emily
P.S. We have friends in Jacksonville that we visit often, ($300) that’ll probably get us a trip to Jax and back.
Thanks again Andy!
Cool, we’ll be watching.
Happy pending nuptials from the MESSED UP department!
As part of our four-part investigation into questionable roofing practices in Middle Tennessee, That Is Messed Up spoke to a roofer with an A+ record from the Better Business Bureau. We also spoke to a career insurance man and state senator for some feedback. Both men talk about the need for new regulations to protect citizens from peregrine contractors they call “storm chasers.”
Steve Morgan has run All Star Roofing since 1998. The 41-year-old has nine employees, five trucks and according to the BBB, an A+ rating.
Morgan contacted That Is Messed Up after our exclusive investigation into American Shingle, a roofing company based in Atlanta with a lot of customer complaints.
“We spend $90,000 a year in advertising. They go door to door. People don’t know if they are a legit company. That is why we are pushing for a new law, calling for roofing licenses in the state of Tennessee and you have to show, all your workman’s comp and insurance,” he said.
Morgan says the so-called “storm chasers”, without any ties to Middle Tennessee flock to this area every time there is a major weather vent.
“They come in like a herd of geese.”
Morgan says state certification will weed out a bunch of problems.
“Just like Florida. You get caught you get thrown in jail. That will put a scare in them. It will level out. I am bidding against companies with no workman’s comp or insurance no bonds. They just go door to door. Of course they can do it cheaper.”
Republican Senator Bill Ketron (13th District) owns an insurance business. Ketron says the time for roofing regulation is now and he’s pushing for state legislation.
“We will we have to require all contractors to have an identity through a business license or worker’s comp exemption to show a homeowner a certificate that they are eligible to conduct business in the state of Tennessee. That way, we, the state have the ability to find out what their social security number is and their fed id number is. Right now there is no tracking.”
Ketron and Morgan both hope that in the future, if a roofer comes to your door and tries to sell you a new roof, you will be able to ask to see that contractor’s Tennessee mandated license.
If the contractor can’t provide it, then you might want to think twice about giving that roofer your hard earned money.
Ketron says he plans to introduce the legislation soon, which could call for jail time for scam artists.
“What is the difference between stealing from Walmart and a homeowner? In this case it could be $5,000 to $12,000. Absolutely they could go to jail. Absolutely, and they need to go to jail. They don’t need to do business in this state.”
A Nashville woman brings her truck to a shop to get painted.
The woman, Tamara Kimbrough, says she and the business owner agree to a price of $1,000. The woman claims, once the truck is in the paint bay, terms of the deal change.
Kimbrough says the only contract she has with the paint shop is verbal.
According to the mother of two: after the company pulls off the bumpers and grill and spray paints the vehicle primer gray, the paint shop owners demand $500 up front to finish the job.
The woman says she demands that her vehicle be released and the paint owner says no.
Kimbrough calls Metro Police. Officers investigate and tell her it is a civil matter, not a police issue.
I talk to the paint shop owner who refuses to explain his position.
Ultimately, Kimbrough is forced to pay the $500 for her vehicle and then she pays another paint shop $1,000 more to finish the job.
It’s an expensive lesson Kathleen Calligan at the BBB says you could avoid.
“This is one of the more extraordinary complaints. Paint jobs are expensive. If you want a quality paint job, don’t go to the lowest priced company. Go to a company with a good reputation where a fair price will be assured, and they won’t come back to you and ask for more money and refuse to give you the vehicle if you don’t pay up.”
The BBB urges you to do your homework before you transact the deal. Check out the company and get everything in writing.
A senior citizen who needs to see her heart specialist has to keep cancelling her appointments.
Why? Because the wheelchair bound senior can’t find a ride to the doctor.
Her name is Deloris Lombardo. She is a grandmother seven times over
According to Lombardo, she suffered an injury that deteriorated to the point that she now uses a wheelchair to get around
None of Deloris’ children live in state and her caretaker only drives a small car.
Without handicap accessible transportation, the Old Hickory woman, who lives a few blocks from the Davidson County line in Wilson County, has found it impossible to make her doctor’s appointments.
She said she has called everyone and so has her care taker and her doctor’s nurses.
Sadly, nothing has worked out.
Deloris said she hasn’t been out of her house in four months and hasn’t seen her heart specialist is about half a year, all because she can’t find a ride.
Deloris has called the Mid Cumberland Human Resource Agency, a not-for-profit group that arranges curb to curb public transit for citizens in 12 counties.
The agency says it needs 72 hours notice for out of county trips.
When Deloris called seven days in advance she was surprised that dispatchers told her the vans were all full and the next opening was a few days after her doctor’s appointment, an appointment she had to make two months earlier.
So Deloris missed yet another doctor’s visit.
Messed Up gets involved and we find some success.
The Mid Cumberland Transportation director called Deloris at my urging and he apologized to her.
He reports that a former dispatcher gave Deloris incorrect information and he made sure to already book her for an appointment she made for June.
Deloris said she is pleased and willing to give the agency another shot.
Jerry Nickens has had back trouble all of his life. He says he has had multiple surgeries and a narrow spinal canal.
The 49 year old has a handicap license plate and all the proper documentation.
The Smyrna man says he is interested in city council events relating to the fairgrounds, so he regularly attends Metro City Council meetings parking in the underground Metro garage across from the courthouse.
It’s in this Metro Garage that Nickens says, a parking attendant questioned him about his disability and his handicap documentation.
“I came out and the guy refused to honor my tag,” he tells me from his Smyrna home.
“He demanded a doctor’s note. He was demanding my handicapped placard that hangs on the windshield, which I don’t use in that vehicle. He asks for my registration and driver’s license number. I told him he doesn’t need all that. I told him that I will write my name and driver’s information on the back and that is all you need. He keeps me there 10 minutes against my will. He won’t let me leave.
He argues with me, finally letting me leave. Then next week, the same scenario. He gets fighting mad. He thinks I am trying to beat the system. He said the next time I come out I will pay. But there is a Metro ordinance says that they don’t charge handicapped people for metro parking during business hours or normal business hours. So I am not supposed to pay. He stepped across the line when he kept demanding a doctor’s note.”
Nickens tells me the incident happens in front of life long friends who are shocked by the attendant’s attitude. Nickens tells me the incident was very humiliating.
We share this story with Richard Wagner who is the Vice President and Regional Manager of Central Parking which runs the garage.
Wagner is aware of the incident and tells Messed Up that the attendant has been counseled, and what was a new parking policy, tabled.
“Our concern is customer service. What was enacted on a temporary basis was a policy and procedure, asking for more details on the disabled parking process. When I heard of this incident, I contacted parking manager, and said cease the procedure. Till we can vet out what really needs to be done. There is an ongoing issue with abuse. Of the disabled parking privilege we have no issue with providing free parking at city owned facilities. We just want to be sure, that Central Parking agrees with the procedure and the City of Nashville agrees with the procedure. And if there is a change, that will be enacted as pamphlets handed out to disabled parkers as they exit before we institute a start date.”
Wagner says the newer tougher handicap parking policy is to combat what Wagner describes as a high rate of Placard fraud which he estimates is at 50%.
“The state law allows us to get a driver’s license and or registration to confirm the disabled parker is either driving the vehicle or in the vehicle. Candidly, we moved to fast on instituting this procedure and that is why I pulled it back, till we can research it more thoroughly.”
Was the attendant too tough on Nickens?
Wagner says this: “Candidly it was a lack of training on our part by the attendant. The attendant was given a set of instructions going forward you have to get this. And he didn’t handle it the way we should in our normal course of business. That attendant has been retrained, and we are taking look at all our training, because we don’t want to impede the process, we want to give the right benefit to the right people in the car. That is all we are looking for. Right now, went back to our prior procedure, if you pull up with a handicap placard or plate, or disabled vet tag, we simply get your name or telephone number, and the telephone number is simply a way to get verification, it is a revenue control issue, and they are allowed to leave.”
It’s been 8 months since a Nashville family spent thousands of dollars to upgrade their kitchen with brand new stainless steel appliances. They bought from a locally owned and well respected appliance store. The fridge, microwave, and dishwasher all work great. But Sherri Hite said the oven has been nothing but trouble.
In July 2009, the elementary school secretary and her husband spend $3,700 dollars for all new appliances.
All the appliances work, except the oven.
“The oven came in,” Hite told Andy from her kitchen. “They put it in, and it didn’t work. Nothing came on: no lights, nothing. So they took it back to the shop. It took a week, then they came back, put it in, and nothing cames on. So they took it back again and had to order a board for it. Actually, two boards for it. They called and said the new the boards were in and they had rewired it. They said they would it back out and I said no! I said I don’t want boards and rewired ovens. I want a new oven, out of the box, working on the first day. I am not taking the one rigged by you all.”
Hite said months went by, and her family made numerous phone calls to D.T. McCall and Sons, where they had successfully bought many items in the past. Hite said her family also called the manufacturer, Frigidaire, many times to try to correct the problem.
Finally Mrs. Hite called That is Messed Up.
“I needed help,” she said, throwing her hands up in the air. “Nobody would call us back. We were getting the run around. A friend said to call Andy Cordan.”
Andy immediately called the company and talked with a friendly salesman.
By the next morning, Andy was on the phone with company president, AJ McCall, who heads up a local furniture, electronics, central heat and air, and lawn and garden company that has been serving middle Tennessee for 100 years.
“I spoke with Mr. Hite,” the friendly executive said in the News 2 studio. “I was not aware of the service issues till yesterday, and we immediately contacted the manufacturer. They are sending the new oven out, a 27 inch oven. If I knew sooner, I probably could have had it taken care of sooner. That is my fault. I’m in charge. We contacted a representative of the Electrolux Corporation and they are shipping us a new oven for the Hites. I apologize it has taken so long, but didn’t know about the problem till now.”
The businessman said he would like the Hites to continue shopping in his stores.
“If you have an unresolved issue, it is the worst thing a business can have. You can lose a customer without knowing you did. That is the worst scenario you can have in business.”
Mrs. Hite said she would consider shopping at McCall and Sons again, but she is not sure her husband will.
Yesterday Messed Up recieved the following information from James and Juliet Mason via e-mail:
We write to express concern regarding a parking crime committed against us while attending the Schermerhorn concert on Saturday, January 23, 2010. As we attempted to park in front of the concert hall, we were told the lot was full and the attendant instructed to go further down 4th to a lot behind the hall for an opening. Upon arrival at the lot (Music City Coin), at 200 4th and Demonbreum, an attendant wearing a neck tag waved us in and charged us $10.00 to park. We then entered the concert hall passing by the Security Station and found our seats. At intermission, we decided to tour the building, since this was our first visit, and left about 9:00 PM. As we exited the building, we noticed that our car and the other ones in the lot in which we parked were all gone. We immediately went back into the Schermerhorn and spoke with the lady attendant at the Security Desk. We shared what had transpired with her and she immediately told us that she had seen a tow truck removing cars from the private lot across the street and that this was not the first time this crime had been committed supposedly by a homeless man pretending to be a parking lot attendant. We used her phone to report what we thought was a vehicle theft to the police department. When the police officer arrived, we explained the situation to him and he also stated that unfortunately we weren’t the only victims of this crime because it had happened many times before presumably by a homeless person. The nice and apologetic officer was kind enough to take us to the tow lot on Hermitage to retrieve our car and complete the incident report. Our primary concern is what corrective measures are being taken to prevent this scam from continuing, since it is a common occurrence known by Schermerhorn staff and the Police Department? Secondly, we are concerned that this is a scam that is larger than the suspected homeless man. It appears that the owner of the lot, the towing company and the so-called homeless person could all be working together. Certainly Mayor Dean would share our concern in wanting to correct this problem given his latest campaign to revitalize the downtown area.
For more than 2 years, the Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General’s office have been investigating a tombstone business and its operator.
The allegation: The owner, Marcus Jones, took orders from grieving families and never delivered the products promised.
On February 12th, the Attorney General’s office took the aggressive measure of banning Marcus Donnell Jones of Jones Memorial and Half Off Stones from doing business in Tennessee.
In addition the state leveled fines, court costs, and restitution that total close to 300,000 dollars.
In July 2008, Messed Up cameras spent days tracking down Mr. Jones.
We got involved after a Nebraska TV reporter told us the story of baby Nate. The one year old died and was buried. His parents ordered a Headstone from Jones Memorials. The Nebraska family paid thousands of dollars, but never got the child’s headstone.
Here is what Mr. Jones tells us on the front lawn of his North Nashville house:
“My business is like anyone else’s business. If I had anything to say to each one of those families, it is this: I have given it everything I got. To pick up materials, to go five hours away to get materials. To cut costs. To bring them good prices. Unfortunately, the economy has taken a bite out of my finances like everyone else’s. I have material on site that is there and ready to be carved. A lot of lettering that needs to be done, but personally, physically, emotionally, and financially, I am beat.”
“What would you say to a family like this? What would you say to Nate of Nebraska?,” Andy asked.
“Well not only to Nate in Nebraska, I am not going to make this about an infant’s headstone. I have plenty of families. I got people deceased for forty years, and some for two months. The point is, no business wants to close. If I could stay open I would. But right now, I can’t afford to stay open. I will say, I am sorry to many families. If there was a magic wand I could wave to make sure the work was done over night, I would, but unfortunately, there isn’t.”
We wanted to get an updated response from Mr. Jones. We called a number we had for him. A man answered and told us that this was his new number and he didn’t know anyone named Marcus Jones.
As part of his February 12th 2010 press release, State Attorney General Bob Cooper said this:
“We hope these judgments will serve as a reminder to businesses to practice good ethics and to be honest with their customers. We also encourage consumers to do a little research on the reputation of the companies by checking with such organizations as the Division of Consumer Affairs and the BBB before they purchase from a company.”
by
Messed Up has tried repeatedly to get someone, anyone from American Shingle on the phone.
All Star Roofing owner Steve Morgan saw the story and contacted his friends in the roofing business. He called ABC Roofing and the good people at the Home Depot. 
Rachel Sneed is coming up on 72 years of age and she has not been in good health. With lip quivering and emotions super charged she thanks the roofers and Channel 2 for her good fortune, but she also has caustic words for the people of American Shingle.
While here, we meet frustrated customer, William Sneed. The Woodbine man has traveled to this location looking for answers. 
Loading …
As part of our four-part investigation into questionable roofing practices in Middle Tennessee, That Is Messed Up spoke to a roofer with an A+ record from the Better Business Bureau. We also spoke to a career insurance man and state senator for some feedback. Both men talk about the need for new regulations to protect citizens from peregrine contractors they call “storm chasers.”
“We will we have to require all contractors to have an identity through a business license or worker’s comp exemption to show a homeowner a certificate that they are eligible to conduct business in the state of Tennessee. That way, we, the state have the ability to find out what their social security number is and their fed id number is. Right now there is no tracking.”
The woman, Tamara Kimbrough, says she and the business owner agree to a price of $1,000. The woman claims, once the truck is in the paint bay, terms of the deal change.
Deloris said she hasn’t been out of her house in four months and hasn’t seen her heart specialist is about half a year, all because she can’t find a ride.
