According to the summary of the Sapporo Consumer Center, the number of troubles related to private snow removal and snow removal services has increased sharply this winter, which was a record heavy snowfall.

According to the Sapporo Consumer Center, 153 consultations were received last year regarding problems related to private snow removal and snow removal services, a sharp increase of nine times the previous year.

Most of the consultations are "I can't come even if I pay", "I can't refund", and "I can't contact you".



The number of consultations about troubles has increased nationwide, and according to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, the number of consultations last year was 305, mainly in Hokkaido and Tohoku, which is about three times the number of the previous year.



In the background, there were companies that could not keep up with the work due to record heavy snow, labor costs due to the increase in the amount of work, and companies that suffered from management difficulties due to soaring fuel costs for dump trucks and excavators used for snow removal. Seems to be one of the causes.



When using the snow removal / snow removal service, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan calls for confirmation in advance of the number of operations and what to do if you cannot come to the site, and carefully consider prepaid contracts.

A woman in her 60s "crying and falling asleep"

A woman in her 60s, who lives in Sapporo, sent information to NHK's information service "News Post" over problems with private snow removal and snow removal services.



Last December, the woman asked a contractor in Sapporo, who undertakes snow removal and snow removal, to do the work.

The price of 11 works is 34,000 yen, and I made a prepaid contract.



The reason for requesting the work was that there were many elderly households in the neighborhood, including women, and they could not keep up with snow removal and snow removal, and there was no place to throw away snow around them.

However, out of the 11 times originally planned, the contractor only performed 4 times in December and January last year, and it became impossible to contact after February when it became a record heavy snowfall. rice field.

There was no refund as promised in the contract if the work was not done.



The woman is consulting with the Sapporo City Consumer Center for a refund to the vendor.



The woman said, "I'm in a state of crying and falling asleep even if I contact you, and I'd like to get a refund, but I have a big feeling of giving up. I want you to do it. "

Service provider "The outlook was unsatisfactory"

A man from a private snow removal and snow removal service company who contracted with a woman told NHK that about 70% of the 1,000 people who applied for this winter could not work as many times as the contract. is.



As for the reason, it is difficult for men to keep up with the business due to record heavy snowfall, overtime pay swelling due to long working hours, and soaring fuel prices of vehicles, which makes it difficult to raise funds. I explained that it became.



The man said, "I didn't think the snow was so great, and the outlook was unsatisfactory. ..



After that, he said to the people who signed the contract, "I'm sorry to bother all the customers who are not fulfilling their promises. I'm wondering if there is a way to refund even if it takes time. I'm here. "