AG
Sues Firewood Sellers Over Short Cords New Gloucester, Windham men indicted
Attorney General Steven Rowe today announced that
his office has filed unfair trade practice lawsuits
against two brothers, Roland W. Hale, II, and Bryan
Hale for delivering less firewood than consumers ordered
and paid for. Roland W. Hale, II, does business as
Friendly Firewood at 65 Winston Way in New Gloucester.
Bryan Hale does business as Avery Acres Firewood at
12 Tammy Lane in Windham.
The Maine Department of Agriculture has received 18
consumer complaints against Roland W. Hale, II, and
seven consumer complaints against Bryan Hale. Inspectors
from the Office of Weights and Measure traveled to
the consumers' homes and measured the wood that had
been delivered. In each case, the inspector concluded
that the consumer had been sold significantly less
firewood than had been ordered and paid for.
Attorney General Rowe stated that: "With energy
prices as they are, Mainers are entitled to expect
full value for their home heating dollar. Short sellers
of any home heating fuel can expect our serious and
immediate attention." The Attorney General complimented
the Office of Weights and Measure for its investigation
of the consumer complaints.
If any consumer would like advice on how to measure
delivery of firewood, or wishes to request an official
measurement, they should contact the State Office
of Weights and Measure, 28 State House Station, Augusta,
ME 04333, or call (207) 287-3841.
Consumers may also calculate the amount of wood in
their own woodpiles by using the cord calculator on
the Attorney General's website at http://www.state.me.us/ag/firewood.html.
