Business ProfileforJohnston's Chimney Sweep, Inc.

Johnston's Chimney Sweep, Inc. incorrectly charged me the full amount (over $7k), refunded 50% when I brought it up later that same day, and then terminated my contract bc I wouldn't talk on the phone regarding an install date and refunded everything else. My normal course of business is as a state-licensed professional, and all my business discussions are either documented via email or recorded line, or in person when other documents are physically signed. All communication regarding business had been conducted via email. This was politely explained in an email. Their response was that they felt unsuitable to fulfill my needs, and then followed with "We wish you the best of luck getting your fireplace installed." Clearly, that was a lie. They had a signed contract from me, money had been debited from my credit card, and a simple problem of not being able to acknowledge having made a mistake or feeling that email was inconvenient led them to terminate. Again, 100% of all of our communication regarding this purchase had been over email. A true comedy of errors has accumulated to the creation of this review, a letter to the president of the Pennsylvania Fireplace Chimney Sweeps Guild, and a complaint with the A.G. to come. They have treated me poorly, and I am now not in the situation I wished to be for the coming winter. On top of that, in order to satisfy the initial overage from the full charge, money had to be moved, which cost money. Just an absolute waste of my time. Everything I have written is accurate and true. There is no possible response to refute any of this.

Johnston's Chimney Sweep has been in business for over 40 years, serving Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, with over 10,000+ satisfied and repeat customers. Mr. ******* claimed we refunded his money and terminated his contract due to him not speaking on the phone, which is false. There were over 30 emails exchanged during this process, all of which were responded to by Johnston's Chimney Sweep in a professional manner. A credit card form that was mailed in for the down payment for an installation of a woodstove insert was received, with the word "All" written in the area for the amount to be applied. The full amount was charged due to the word "All" being written on the form. An email was received shortly after stating we should have only debited the 50%. This was obviously a miscommunication between the homeowner and Johnston's Chimney Sweep, and the 50% was refunded the same business day. In the following email the homeowner asked about an installation date, which then he was told 4 weeks. He was disappointed with the 4-week lead time for the installation, then proceeded to say he was worried about the liquidity issues in our company. The homeowner then made a comment/suggestion on how to run our business, and saying "I am not a litigious person, and the only time I have ever sued anyone was a countersuit against a slumlord. These comments led to the full refund of all money exchanged, even our initial inspection fee. Johnston's Chimney Sweep was professional and respectful in all communications, but after the last few emails received felt it was in our company's best interest to refund all money and terminate the contract.

The credit card authorization form was not the contract, and the contract provided for ONLY 50 upfront 50 on completion for payment. The confusion about me writing "all" to pay in full up-front is a fully amateurish claim by Johnstons to rely on. Johnstons had communicated to me that they had a warehouse where I could look at products, which led to my confusion about a 4 week install date. It's a pity that they were insulted by my offering to pay in full up-front to overcome a possible liquidity issue. After all, why else would they rely on the language in the CC form to over-rule the governing document? (Actual 1 page contract). As I said, amateurish, and a comedy of errors. I don't think they intended to pull one over on me with regards to the payment, but the response received didn't and does not make any sense from a contract law POV. This company is a specialized contractor. With regards to the allegation of telling them how to run their business, what I said was that if I was in their position, I wouldn't want full payment up front. That was all. My contract was terminated only after all other communication had been made with the response being "Please call me tomorrow", to which I emailed that I don't talk business on the phone - perfectly reasonable. ********** has a long letter attempting to resolve this situation in a positive manner for all parties that was sent 48 hours before my review above - but it is my full belief that with a small family company, sometime egos run rampant in terms of admitting error. This is the case in this situation, and frankly, I'm surprised my review was responded to. I have no ill will towards Johnstons - just a note of a lack of professionalism. I did find another company, and they didn't want any payment up front, which was equally as surprising!!Fortunately, they did not take offense when I sent them unsolicited proof of funds to demonstrate my seriousness.