A Quad City based home repair company is coming under fire, accused by some customers of not living up to its promises.
The Silvis-based company touts its use of veterans. Called U.S. Vets Home Improvement Company, it's motto on their flyer states, "You trusted us with your country, you can trust us with your home."
"I wanted to help veterans. I'm an American and I thought it was a good cause because to put these vets to work is what they really need," said Malinda McConnell of Rock Island.
But, she says after giving owner Tim Coker $675 upfront as a down payment to replace her kitchen floor on May 1st, she couldn't get him to return her calls.
"I bet I've called him thirty times, or texted him, and he won't reply," she said.
Dana Donald says she paid Coker $1229 to start the process of stripping and staining her floors, but so far, work has not started.
"He has never shown up, I paid him in March. I feel stupid for trusting him, he said he was working for the veterans," she said.
We caught up with Coker at an unrelated court hearing in Rock Island, and invited the ladies to address their concerns.
After approaching him outside the court house, he talked with WQAD-TV.
Coker says he was going to get around to doing both jobs, but the women "jumped the gun." He says he had texted the two women the night before they found him at the courthouse.
He says he's a Marine who served during Vietnam, and has struggled with PTSD.
He says he got behind after losing money on a big roofing job.
"You got in trouble... in essence, you got in trouble and you were sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul, right?" asked News 8.
"Basically, and I'm not hiding that fact," Coker said. He added that the ladies were harping. "I want it now, I want it now. I want it now. I don't have it now."
He said he's been to prison five times, mostly for forgery and writing bad checks for his drug and gambling problems, but is on track now.
He says he tries to hire veterans for the jobs, but not exclusively.
He says he plans on refunding the womens' money.
They say, buyer beware.
"I feel so bad, so stupid, I trusted him. He said he was working for the vets," said Donald.