St. Louis (KSDK) - A St. Louis family claims they're out thousands of dollars after hiring a contractor to pave a parking lot. They took several bids for the project, and times being what they are, opted for the cheapest deal.
They learned the hard way the lowest bid may not always be the best bid.
In Tina Campieri's kitchen, cooking isn't a job it's a passion.
"I'm not a young person, but I still work every day," said Tina.
The Campieri's own Giancarlo's restaurant in south St. Louis. It's a family business that's been around for 25 years.
"We're nice people, we are trying to do the best we can," said Tina.
But their hopes of opening another business is now on hold. Tina's son, Carlo, is renovating a building on Watson Road. The parking lot needed paving, so he signed a contract with Affordable Asphalt out of Mexico, Missouri to do the job.
"I hired them guys because it seemed like a legit kind of company, had nice equipment and everything," said Carlo.
Tina put up $5,000 in cash for project. A project that the Campieri's say was never finished. In fact, they say it was barely even started, contending that the contractor just took the money and ran.
"He just totally screwed us over time wise," said Carlo.
"He" is Robert Reno, the owner of Affordable Asphalt. 5 On Your Side caught up with him near Jefferson City.
[Reporter]: "They say they gave you $5,000 to do a job, what do you say?"
"I did the job," said Reno.
[Reporter]: "You did the job?"
"Yes," said Reno.
"The job's done?"
"Yes," said Reno.
[Reporter]: "I have to tell you, we've been to this parking lot and it does not look like a finished parking lot."
"Well it's not finished, it has to be paved," said Reno.
[Reporter]: "But all these things, these eleven things, including grade down the back parking lot to level entire surface, you've done all those?"
"Yes," said Reno.
Jim Sontheimer runs Metro Paving and has 40 years of experience in the field. Metro Paving is accredited with the Better Business Bureau.
"Mike you shouldn't see dirt mixed in with this rock base," said Sontheimer.
5 On Your Side asked him to look at the contract and Reno's work.
"He removed the car stops, he removed the existing asphalt, he didn't remove all the grass, there's some grass on the other side," said Sontheimer. "And that back parking lot doesn't look like it was graded down, it's all, it's irregular levels. He's got about a third of the things done that I can see."
Reno has been in trouble before. He spent time in prison for burglary and assault unrelated to this business. Four people have filed complaints against Affordable Asphalt with the BBB.
"If there's someone we can resolve this problem, where both parties are happy, you know that's fine, I'll do whatever I need to do," said Reno. "But, as far as going in there and paving it and this and that, no I can't and will not do that."
As for the Campieri's, they want their experience to serve as a warning to others.
"It's a shame that this happened to us, and I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else," said Carlo.
"I really want my money back, because we work hard for our money," said Tina.
Estimates to complete the parking lot start around $20,000. We'll keep you posted.
If you have a problem and need answers contact 5 On Your Side.
KSDK