Gayle Soop wins the 2014 Driveway Giveaway!

After a month of submissions from Northern Michigan hopefuls, Team Elmer’s is proud to announce the winner of this year’s $5,000 Driveway Giveaway to be Gayle Soop of Interlochen!

President, Troy Broad, along with Asphalt Manager, Brian Peace, and Marketing Director, Tonya Wildfong, surprised this year’s lucky winner with the news. Met at her front door by three cheerful strangers and a bundle of balloons, Gayle was shocked to find out she was the winner of this year’s contest. “I didn’t know what to think, I thought it was Publisher’s Clearing House!”

Gayle has entered the contest in year’s past, however, this year she was reminded by a Facebook post that her daughter had shared. “When I told her I had won she was upset she didn’t win herself!”

A Harley Davidson rider, Gayle is most excited to park and wash her bike on her brand new asphalt driveway!

Click here to watch an excited Gayle Soop as she learns she is the lucky winner of the 2014 Team Elmer’s $5,000 Driveway Giveaway! Enjoy your new driveway, Gayle!

How would you like a brand new asphalt driveway of your own? Not sure where to start? We've got you covered. Give Team Elmer's a call today and have an asphalt estimator pay you a visit!

Spring Thaw Brings Construction Season and Scam Artists

Spring and summer is the time when we update our homes, spruce up the yards, and complete the fix-it list prior to winter snow. Buyer beware, there are those that would take advantage of the uninformed or the elderly. Several scams in the construction industry include:

Bait-n-Switch
A disreputable repair specialist “inspects” your roof or other structure away from your watchful eye or in an area you cannot easily access.  Upon return, they bring a handful of manufactured “proof” to encourage you to complete unneeded repairs.

Drawback: The elderly may not be able to readily inspect their roof for wind or weather damage. High pressure sales tactics create the illusion that repairs are needed immediately and the homeowner will miss out on savings if they do not act now.

Interlochen Example: After a driveway sealing company sealed his parent’s freshly paved two month old driveway, one son called to have it inspected. The project cost thousands of dollars, paid by check, which the door to door driveway sealing company cashed that same day. The driveway was not damaged. However, the driveway did not require sealing and the home owners paid quadruple the industry average at the time.

In The Area Left-Overs
An unsolicited salesperson knocks on your door with an opportunity to save money.  They complete a project “in the area” or “around the corner” and have leftovers. They agree to sell you these leftovers at a great price and install the product immediately.

Drawback: You do not have time to confirm the contractor’s skill or validity. High pressure sales tactics do not give you time to price check the services offered, which may result in higher costs for less than stellar workmanship. Also construction may require some form of permitting from local government agencies. Building without one may trigger costly penalties or adjustments later at your expense.

Rapid City Example: One customer called to have the rest of his driveway paved. Once on-site, the door to door salesperson paved the homeowner's driveway and stopped short of the right-of-way, avoiding permit requirements, and leaving the homeowners with a large muddy pothole at the end of their driveway.

Free Labor
The sales person agrees to install materials for “free” if you pay for the product.

Drawback: The labor may be built into the product cost. The salesperson and his associates may not have proper insurance coverage. If they get injured installing materials at your home, you may be liable for their injuries under your homeowner policy.

What To Look For and What You Can Do.

1. Make your elderly friend, neighbor, church member, or relative aware of these high pressure tactics.

2. Know your service professional. Ask for and check references.

3. Ask for a builder's license number, proof of insurance, and any other documentation that will prove ability.

4. Never buy from someone who uses emotion and immediate deadlines to sell. Never buy from someone who uses guilt or anger in response to your questions about the product or a detail in the contract.

5. Never buy from someone who asks you to pay using a prepaid debit card such as a Green Dot card, wire transfer, or requests your personal banking account and routing numbers.

6. Be wary of salespeople that visit on nights/weekends outside of normal business hours without an appointment.

7. Know what you are signing. Read all documents.  If there is any question, wait for another person to help review the documents. You will not lose a “great deal” by reviewing your commitments.

Be vigilant and look out for these scam artists. Many tactics may change or become more sophisticated.  Read the links below for other Michigan scams that affect the mortgage industry and the elderly.

Troubled Grandchild Scam
Mortgage Fraud and Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Team Elmer's dedicates mixer to the Jayden Lamb Memorial Foundation

MIDLAND, Mich., May 14, 2014 — Team Elmer’s is excited to announce that the winner of the non-profit $5,000 giveaway in the Tri-Cities region is the Jayden Lamb Memorial Foundation (JLMF).

In addition to receiving a monetary donation, JLMF will be featured on a Team Elmer’s concrete mixer, which will be working throughout the region.

For more information visit http://www.teamelmers.com/press-releases/27

See links below for more media coverage:

   ABC 12 News Coverage               WNEM News Coverage                     CBS News Coverage
                       

For more information on the Jayden Lamb Memorial Foundation, visit www.jaydenlambmemorialfoundation.org.