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Target 11: 3 Plumbers On BBB's List Of Worst Local Businesses

PITTSBURGH,None — Three plumbers and companies dealing with construction, moving and lighting rank among Pittsburgh's worst for consumer complaints, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Target 11 went to the Better Business Bureau to find out what local businesses are performing below quality standards.

"A lot of these companies either have unanswered complaints or unresolved complaints or just the general volume of complaints we receive about the businesses," said BBB spokeswoman Becky Maier.

Making the list of poor companies were three plumbing contractors.

Mr. Rooter of Pittsburgh has an 'F' rating. Gillece Pluming scored a 'D-', according to the BBB, and Westmoreland Affordable Plumbing was rated with a 'D+.'

"I'm not going to sit here and attack the Better Business Bureau. I'm a huge advocate that the consumers need a place to report issues to," said Mr. Rooter president Bob Beall. "It is virtually impossible with the infrastructure and the size and the volume of consumers I serve to have a top-notch rating."

Gillece services sent a similar statement saying, "We have serviced over 138,000 customers in the three- year reporting period, and our complaint rate is less than 1 percent."

Westmoreland Affordable Plumbing admits to some "delayed responses" to complaints that have been resolved, adding, "We do feel, however, this is still an unjust rating."

Other businesses on the list with "F" ratings include Braden Construction, Donn Farr Moving and Storage and Electra Lighting and Electra Supply. When contacted by Target 11, calls were left unreturned.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Electra, accusing the company of violating the consumer protection law, a law that protects consumers against faulty products or misleading sales tactics.

"There are a few different types of complaints the BBB doesn't process and price alone is one of the complaints," said Maier. "If they're doing any construction, plumbing, it's always important to get multiple quotes."

UPDATE Updated January 25, 2011 After this report last October, we've learned Gillece's BBB grade has improved to a C-. Westmoreland Affordable Plumbing also improved to a C-. Mr. Rooter of Pittsburgh no longer has a grade on the BBB site.

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