New York, NY, August 26, 2024 – New York-based National Floors Direct is accused of fraudulent business practices, Our Town NY reports.

“…authorities say there have been numerous complaints against the New York City home improvement company over the past five years that led to the investigation and subsequent lawsuit.

“Since 2019, the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has received 30 consumer complaints against the company, in which the city details its predatory and deceptive practices: targeting consumers with false advertisements, regularly misleading them about when service will begin, providing substandard work, and then denying refunds and cancellations. DCWP is seeking compensation from consumers, civil penalties, and the suspension or revocation of National Floors Direct’s license as a contractor. DCWP encourages consumers who have been deceived or harmed by the company to file a consumer complaint online.

“The company has long insisted that its work meets industry standards, and a company spokesperson said it was ‘shocked’ by the allegations in the city’s lawsuit. ‘National Floors Direct is shocked by these allegations and we will vigorously defend ourselves and the integrity of our brand. Since its inception, National Floors Direct has prided itself on providing each of our customers with quality installation services, premium name-brand carpet and flooring, and exceptional customer service at an incredible value. Our care and commitment to our customers is reflected in our high customer satisfaction ratings, nearly 20 years in business, and our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.'”

“This is not the first time the home repair company has faced allegations of unfair business practices. In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a consent order against NFD after finding that the company had violated the Consumer Review Fairness Act. The company was found to have included unlawful non-disparagement clauses in its contracts that prevented customers from posting negative reviews online. NFD agreed to stop using such clauses, but the latest lawsuit suggests that NFD may have replaced that language with other deceptive tactics, continuing to harm consumers.

“At the heart of the lawsuit is the allegation that the company frequently misleads customers about the speed of its services. The company’s website prominently advertises ‘Free Next Day Flooring Installation,’ but customers report that NFD often fails to deliver on those promises. Some consumers allege that the home improvement company has rescheduled their installation appointments up to 10 times and made a number of implausible excuses for the delays.

“The lawsuit also sheds a particularly disturbing light on the practice: NFD reportedly encourages consumers to opt for ’emergency installation services’ to guarantee faster work. Although NFD charges additional fees for these services, it allegedly delays installations anyway. To make matters worse, the company waives consumers’ right of cancellation, leaving them unable to make claims in the event of delays.”