Mississippi BBB is urging consumers to beware of a scam involving door-to-door salesmen offering low-cost quotes on painting.  

    Over the past several days, BBB has received calls from local residents who were approached by salesmen offering to paint their homes for very low costs, claiming that the deal is only good for today.

    The company in question is Tom Sherlock Painting, also known as Carroll Construction. The company is from North Augusta, S.C., and has an “F” rating with Better Business Bureau, a BBB press release states.

    Online links to the BBB rating can be found here: http://www.bbb.org/central-georgia/business-reviews/painting-contractors/carroll-construction-in-north-augusta-sc-9288

    In the past this company has also been involved with asphalt paving, the BBB reports.

    “The calls we have been receiving have been from the Meridian and Decatur areas,” said John O’Hara, CEO of BBB Serving Mississippi. “We want to warn residents throughout the state because the company may keep moving throughout the state”.   

    Such door-to-door scams typically result in less-than satisfied consumers who end up paying for inferior work that often must be replaced, redone or repaired by someone else, the BBB reports.  

    These scams are typically perpetrated by scam artists who are in the area one day and gone the next.

    BBB is urging consumers to check out the companies making these offers to make sure the company is reputable and that they will perform quality work for a fair price.

    To avoid becoming a victim, BBB offers the following advice:

    • When approached about asphalt, be leery if the company claims that it’s “leftover” asphalt. 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.

    • 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.

    “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.

    • Door-to-door sales. Reputable contractors do not sell their product door-to-door. Consumers should be very suspicious of anyone appearing at their front doors offering low cost repairs.

    • Vehicles with out of state license plates. This type of scam many times will be run by persons traveling through our local area from other states. The big equipment (pickups or trailers) will be licensed in other states.

    To find reputable local contractors, consumers can contact BBB at 601-398-1700 or bbb.org/mississippi.

    BBB helps consumers find and recommend businesses, brands, and charities they can trust, the report states.