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Owens Corning Roofing Grotesque
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First, from the web: Owens Corning Corporation (NYSE: OC) is the world's largest manufacturer of fiberglass and related products. It was formed in 1935 as a partnership between two major American glassworks, Corning Glass Works and Owens-Illinois. The company was spun off as a separate entity on November 1, 1938. The company achieved major successes after the Second World War, with eventual annual sales of $6 billion (USD). However, major medical liabilities due to the company's use of asbestos as a fireproofing agent led to the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000. In 1999, a jury in federal district court in Florida awarded $1.8 million compensatory damages and $31 million punitive damages against the company. According to the court, evidence showed that: "for more than thirty (30) years Owens-Corning concealed what it knew about the dangers of asbestos. In fact, Owens-Corning's conduct was even worse than concealment, it also included intentional and knowing misrepresentations concerning the danger of its asbestos containing product, Kaylo. For instance, in 1956, Owens-Corning, after having been told by the Saranac Laboratory that Kaylo dust was 'toxic,' and that asbestos was a carcinogen, advertised Kaylo as being 'non-toxic.'" Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Ballard, 749 So.2d 483 (1999). The company emerged from Chapter 11 in October 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owens_Corning * * * Still worth a shot, I thought. But the old tricks prevail… I bought a new Owens Corning roof and had it installed well. Forty years, they said, and it looked great and I thought I was set for life. After all, my old one was 31 years old and it was still fine when it was replaced. Finding a credible contractor was nothing I would ever want to do again and I was fortunate to find a tiny local contractor who did a good job for a very good price. With Owens Corning I thought I had a warranted 40 year roof—prorated, perhaps, but good for a long time with a reputable company to support it. Again, my experience is less than two years. Yes, there was a storm. I will even use the “H” word—hail. Still, it should have lasted longer and they should have done something to inspect it or provide some incentive to replace it with a similar roof. Nada. Nothing. Two inspectors (both) absolutely used the word “defective.” To be fair, the asbestos manufacturer does have a roof warranty “program.” Customers must prove ownership, take photographs, remove roofing and send it to the company, and I have no idea what else, in the hope that maybe they will receive something. How it is to be installed, warranted, paid for, etc. is anyone’s guess. All the while the customer must endure the world low class service of the firm’s “customer response center.” In practice there is no warranty. P.S. At 7,500 feet the hail is not that big or that bad... * * * Inside the company, this is what happens... - Athens subcontractor - Customer Response Center (Ginger, Supervisor). "No, I am not going to send you a warranty packet." - Sheree Bargabos, President, Roofing Division (419/248-7548, Admin: Karen Van Dyke, x7406)
Senior management is unusually lacking in marketing and consumer backgrounds... A 43 year-old form CFO ceo? I 'm sure he has a lot of customer and field experience.
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http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=252 * * * From the C. R S... 6-1-105. Deceptive trade practices. (1) A person engages in a deceptive trade practice when, in the course of such person's business, vocation, or occupation, such person: (r) Advertises or otherwise represents that goods or services are guaranteed without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the nature and extent of the guarantee, any material conditions or limitations in the guarantee which are imposed by the guarantor, the manner in which the guarantor will perform, and the identity of such guarantor. Any representation that goods or services are "guaranteed for life" or have a "lifetime guarantee" shall contain, in addition to the other requirements of this paragraph (r), a conspicuous disclosure of the meaning of "life" or "lifetime" as used in such representation (whether that of the purchaser, the goods or services, or otherwise). Guarantees shall not be used which under normal conditions could not be practically fulfilled or which are for such a period of time or are otherwise of such a nature as to have the capacity and tendency of misleading purchasers or prospective purchasers into believing that the goods or services so guaranteed have a greater degree of serviceability, durability, or performance capability in actual use than is true in fact. The provisions of this paragraph (r) apply not only to guarantees but also to warranties, to disclaimer of warranties, to purported guarantees and warranties, and to any promise or representation in the nature of a guarantee or warranty; however, such provisions do not apply to any reference to a guarantee in a slogan or advertisement so long as there is no guarantee or warranty of specific merchandise or other property. Selling a 40-year roof means providing a 40-year roof.
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The marketing... $500 replacement coupon.
* * * Links http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Owens-Corning-Corporation-Company-History.html http://en.allexperts.com/q/Roofing-1598/2008/12/Owens-Corning-40-yr.htm http://www.diychatroom.com/f9/asphalt-shingles-whats-best-11602/ http://www.diychatroom.com/f9/owen-certain-teed-has-less-problems-37729/ http://www.diychatroom.com/f9/best-roofing-shingles-money-39224/ http://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residential-Roofing/Warranty-Information/Warranty-Information.asp http://www.roofer911.com/roofing-articles/roof_warranty.htm http://www.contractortalk.com/f15/owens-corning-solid-strip-tar-23133/ http://en.allexperts.com/q/Roofing-1598/2008/4/Class-Action-Lawsuit.htm http://www.roofing.com/forum/sutra39972.html&sid=0dfe6f0f9387995a21522586e46a3b10 http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/shingles.html http://www.halunenlaw.com/news/2009/12/30/owens-corning-roofing-shingles-lawsuit/ http://chimicles.com/case/owens-corning-roofing-shingles http://www.freeadvice.com/law-questions/do-i-have-any-rights-left-5383.htm http://www.inspectapedia.com/roof/RoofWarranties.htm http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/owens_corning_shingles.html http://www.freeadvice.com/law-questions/owens-corning-shingles-th-6120.htm
1. Chimicles & Tikellis I am having problems with Oakridge shingles and Owens Corning. They're just two years old... I have not been notified about any class action suits, despite having spoken with the roofing group president's office this past Friday. What previously concerned me most is the apparent lack of any meaningful warranty coverage. 2. Halunen & Associates
I am starting to put together some information about my situation at http://theresearchsource.net/owens-corning.htm. 3. Patricia Wright, Brownsvill, PA http://www.davisanddavislaw.com/team.html http://dockets.justia.com/docket/pennsylvania/pawdce/2:2009cv01567/94978/ Tuesday 8/17 this gentleman called: http://www.cuneolaw.com/lawyers/brendan_thompson.php
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