BBB warns about asphalt paving scam

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a scam involving door-to-door salesmen offering low-cost quotes on asphalt paving.
Consumers were approached by a Johnny Young, who operates an asphalt paving business known as Asphalt Construction. A BBB investigation unveiled that the company also does business as JRY Construction, Johnny Asphalt, Johnny Young Asphalt and Construction, William Wells Asphalt Construction Co. and Young & Cooper Asphalt.
Senior citizens and a non-profit organization complained that Young came to their residence and place of business offering to pave their driveways with “leftover” asphalt. He was fast-talking and provided no written cost estimate prior to paving. The consumers’ driveways were paved immediately with no notification of their right to cancel within three business days. Consumers complained that the billed amount was substantially more than expected and is anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. Many were surprised that the price was based on square yards and not cubic yards. Consumers also have complained about the poor workmanship of the paving and non-responsiveness by Young after the initial business transaction.
Young has been identified as approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, husky, dark-haired, middle-aged and driving a white truck. He has been operating in the greater Akron and Canton areas. His business address has been tied to rental mailboxes in Kent and Stow. His home address appears to be transitorily in Sunset, La.

To avoid becoming a victim, the BBB says to beware of:

1. A company that knocks on your door claiming to have “leftover” asphalt or other materials. Leftover hot-mix asphalt would be too cold to place properly, while cold mix is used exclusively for small patches, not general paving. Asphalt is a perishable product and, if it cools too much, it is useless as a hot mix paving product.
2. Deals that seem “too good to be true.” If the quoted price seems very low, chances are the quality of the work will be low as well.
3. Cash-only terms. Most reputable contractors take checks and don’t require cash-only terms.
4. “One-time offer” price quotes. Reputable contractors will provide a quote before doing any work so that the homeowner has a chance to shop around.
5. Door-to-door sales. Reputable asphalt contractors do not sell their products door-to-door. Consumers should be very suspicious of anyone appearing at their front doors offering low-cost asphalt.
6. Vehicles with out-of-state license plates. This type of scam many times will be run by persons traveling from other states.