Tree removal company faces lawsuit for price gouging in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina’s Attorney General just filed the first price gouging lawsuit against a Lexington tree removal company for price gouging in Wilmington after Hurricane Florence.

Attorney General Josh Stein says the price gouging law remains in effect in North Carolina two weeks after Hurricane Florence tore through the area.

Stein told WWAY he filed a lawsuit today against A1 Tree and Storm Relief. Stein said the company is also known as Big Al & Sons Tree Service. Stein said the company was involved in price gouging and a bait switch scheme. He said, in one case, the company quoted a price of $4,000 for three trees. He said the company then said it was going to be $7,000. Stein said the company finally gave the customer an invoice for $12,000.

Stein also said the company made representations that he said are not true. Stein says the company claims to be certified arborists, insured and bonded. Stein said he believes that is not true.

Stein’s Office said the judge has agreed to the temporary restraining order for the lawsuit.

Stein said the Better Business Bureau has put the company on its “dirty dozen” because of the number and nature of the complaints.

We reached out to the company about the complaints and the lawsuit. We are still waiting to hear back.

Stein said his office has received more than 700 reports of price gouging from companies around the state because of the hurricane.

If you are seeing potential price gouging, please contact the Attorney General’s Office.