An area contractor says allegations of 'price gouging' made by State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman are false. Collingwood Construction of Getzville is defending the prices it charged for work conducted during last November's devastating snow storm. Some residents in Cheekowaga and the Lexington Green neighborhood in West Seneca say there were overcharged for snow removal from roofs and property. Some charged more than $1,000 for snow removal. They say it should have cost about $500.
But Collingwood's owner and foreman appeared at a news conference Wednesday at the law firm of HoganWillig.
Attorney Steven Cohen said the allegations are "patently untrue". Cohen told reporters the AG failed to consider other costs involved with the construction company's service during the massive November storm.
"When no drivers were supposed to be out on the road, Collingwood went out when nobody else would," said Cohen. "In some instances they had to plow public streets to get to the scene of the emergency. They trudged through it for miles."
Collingwood owner Larry Chumsky said his company is in good standing and nothing was taken into account for the work crews conducted in the storm emergency.
"We have a base number to try to go by when there's no storm, but when there's a storm until we get there do we know what we are really in for," noted Larry Chumsky, owner of Collingwood Construction.
"Our reputation as a company is at stake because we put ever effort into helping out as many as we possibly could during that storm and this is like a slap in the face," said Chumsky.
The company claims prices were disclosed before the snow removal was conducted. "We have a base number to try to go by when there's no storm, but when there's a storm until we get there do we know what we are really in for," noted Chumsky.
Douglas Laufer, Collingwood's lead foreman, said prices were disclosed at least 'five' times to all clients.
"When I got there they were told what the price was going to be. When I walked through eight feet of snow I had snow up to my neck,' said Laufer. "Before any thing was written, before one man got on that roof a contract was signed."
Laufer even stated that many of the residents in the Lexington Green neighborhood were 'happy' to see them arrive during the storm emergency.
Some residents are suing the company. The AG's office is seeking restitution. Attorney General Schneiderman appeared in Buffalo last Friday announcing the allegations against Collingwood and another area contractor.
"We don't go after people just for acting in an emergency. We go after people for charging unconscionably high rates," stated Schneiderman. "These guys were charging $2,000.00 or more to clear a roof of snow, not doing a very good job at that. Or $650.00, or more, to clear a driveway. So we're singling out the worst actors."
A direct response to the Collingwood allegations was issued Wednesday from the AG's Office. “Attorney General Schneiderman has no tolerance for anyone who preys on their neighbors in a time of emergency. As we alleged in our lawsuits, several contractors are accused of engaging in price gouging during last November’s historic snowstorm. Just yesterday, the Attorney General’s Office reached another settlement that will result in restitution for consumers and penalties for the accused contractor. We look forward to pursuing this case in court.”
But Collingwood's owner said he is not backing down and will fight the allegations.
Attorney Cohen blasted the AG accusing him of using the alleged price gouging cases to advance his political career.
"He wants to pursue his political aspiration by making himself appear like he's a hero and what he is is a thug. A thug with a title and I hope he is held accountable and I'm going to do everything in my power to see that he is" stated Cohen
