MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Wade Maintz said he gave a sigh of relief when he saw 5 On Your Side's story about Jefferson County businesses and residents speaking out about a renovation business allegedly scamming them out of thousands of dollars.
"I immediately stopped it, rewound it and recorded it on my phone," Maintz said. "I posted in on my Facebook page."
Maintz has owned and operated Elite Renovations LLC out of his home for more than 12 years. Months ago, he started receiving phone calls from angry customers who thought they were calling the Elite Renovations located in Crystal City.
"I've gotten about 15, maybe more," Maintz said. "I got one last week."
Maintz said the stories he was hearing lined up with the ones told to 5 On Your Side.
"I kept hearing about it," Maintz said. "It became a constant thing. There are still people doubting us, thinking we're the same company or that we're affiliated."
Maintz said he considered changing the name of his company, but he couldn't afford to re-purchase all of his equipment with the new name.
"I hired a trademark attorney, but he told me it would cost tens of thousands of dollars to keep going," Maintz said. "I'm not rich. I can't afford that."
His last hope was for Elite Renovations to shut down.
James Kelton, the owner, told 5 On Your Side he shut his operation down in January and said the allegations made against him were "a bad deal".
Maintz said he's relieved to know the company won't keep operating, but he is upset that so many people said they've lost their money.
"It makes me furious," Maintz said. "We do good work, and we care about our customers. That's why we get such good reviews. I hate that happened to them, and I'm worried he's going to do it again under a different business name."
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