Beware of Scams

Home improvement projects are springing up all over. If a contractor knocks on your door and offers repairs for a low price, chances are the opportunity is too good to be true. If the same contractor starts talking about arranging financing “through a lender he knows,” that’s an even bigger red flag.

These are the hallmarks of a dangerous scam that has become popular on the east coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and the same strategies could be used against you. If you find yourself in this situation, chances are the contractor has actually been paid off by his “lender friend” and will try to trick you into signing a monstrous home equity loan in exchange for shoddy repairs.

Here are some good practices to avoid scams like this one:

• Make sure you have the name, physical address, and reputable business information for any contractor you use.
• Thoroughly read every facet of any document you sign. If you think there is something suspicious, take the document to a professional.
• If you need to borrow money for repairs, research the processes and loans necessary to do so.
• If your contractor does recommend a lender, make sure to get a second opinion. Get a quote from another party and compare them.

We have a winner!

Team Elmer’s is excited to announce that Ryan Brady and family of Rapid City are the lucky winners of our recent driveway contest! Ryan, his wife Autumn, and sons Nicholas and Andrew were randomly selected from more 4,000 entrants to win $5,000 toward a new asphalt driveway. 

Ryan, Autumn and Nicholas Brady with Team Elmer's President Troy Broad

Ryan said he's entered several years in the past and was shocked to win this year. He's really looking forward to how nice the front of his house will look with a new driveway. And the kids will now have a fantastic space to ride bikes and play basketball!

Click here to watch a video of a Ryan and his family learning they've won the big contest. When Ryan first saw three strangers (Team Elmer's President Troy Broad, Team Elmer's Asphalt Division manager Brian Peace, and -- behind the camera -- Team Elmer's Marketing Director Tonya Wildfong) walking up to his house with balloons he thought to himself, "'What is my brother doing to me?' I thought he was playing a joke on me… I was excited, but I could not react because I was so shocked."

Congratulations Brady family! All of us at Team Elmer's hope you enjoy your new driveway for many years to come!

Click here to learn how a new driveway can add value and beauty to your home.

Michael's Place Event Today!

Michael's Place, a healing center for those who are grieving, hosts "A Night at the Movies" featuring Akeelah and the Bee today, Fri., May 10, at 8 p.m. at the State Theatre. Each guest will also receive a honey sample from Jelinek Apiaries in memory of local owner-operator Jeremy Jelinek, a young husband and father who died in a traffic accident while transporting his bees. You can read a tribute to Jeremy, a third-generation bee keeper, here.

Local author -- and Team Elmer's Marketing Director! -- Tonya Wildfong will also be in attendance with her children's book, "Bee in the Barn." All proceeds benefit Michael's Place. Tickets to the evening are $25 and include popcorn and beverage. They can be ordered by calling 947-6453 or online.