Auto complaints, credit/debt issues and gripes about home improvement/construction contractors take win, place and show in the just-released 2009 Consumer Complaint Survey Report.
The results of this annual survey are compiled jointly by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators from 33 government agencies in 18 states.
Here is a rundown of the full list:
- Auto: Misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars; lemons; faulty repairs; leasing and towing disputes. Also No. 1 in 2008.
- Credit/Debt: Billing and fee disputes; mortgage-related fraud; credit repair; debt relief services; predatory lending; illegal or abusive debt collection tactics. Up from No. 3 in 2008.
- Home Improvement/Construction: Shoddy work; failure to start or complete the job. Down from No. 2 in 2008.
- Utilities: Service problems or billing disputes with phone, cable, satellite, Internet, electric and gas services. Also No. 4 in 2008.
- Retail Sales: False advertising and other deceptive practices; defective merchandise; problems with rebates, coupons, gift cards and gift certificates; failure to deliver. Also No. 5 in 2008.
- Services: Misrepresentations; shoddy work; failure to have required licenses; failure to perform. Also No. 6 in 2008.
- Internet Sales: Misrepresentations or other deceptive practice; failure to deliver online purchases. Up from No. 9 in 2008.
- Household Goods: Misrepresentations; failure to deliver; faulty repairs in connection with furniture or appliances. Down from No. 7 in 2008.
- (tie) Landlord/Tenant: Unhealthy or unsafe conditions; failure to make repairs or provide promised amenities; deposit and rent disputes; illegal eviction tactics; Down from No. 8 in 2008. Home Solicitations: Misrepresentations or failure to deliver in door-to-door, telemarketing or mail solicitations; do-not-call violations. Also No. 9 in 2008.
- Health Products/Services: misleading claims; unlicensed practitioners; failure to deliver. Also No. 10 in 2008.
