Class Action Settlements: Trex Company
The Trex Company is the nation’s largest manufacturer of wood alternative decking, railing and fencing products. It was founded in 1996 through a buyout of a division of Mobil Corporation and has been a publicly traded company since 1999. The company claims to turn millions of recycled plastic grocery bags, plastic film and waste wood into its products each year. It has over 5,500 retail locations in North America.
On May 24, 2004, a nationwide class action suit filed Against the Trex Company in 2000 was certified in a New Jersey court over allegations that its products were defective. The suit covered a class of consumers from 1992 to 2004. The action alleged that Trex and Timbrex products rot, splinter and degrade as a result of defects in the manufacturing process.
It also alleged that Trex conducted a false advertising campaign, allowing it to charge a price 15% higher than alternative pressure-treated lumber products and that its products did not require sealants, although it did recommend application of sealants after the products exhibited mold.
The defective products claims were apparently limited to products coming out of Trex’s Nevada plant and affected only a small percentage of its overall products. Most of the complaints were that the Trex products were prone to flaking and rapid deterioration.
On March 15, 2010, Trex settled the suit by agreeing to replace any defective products and providing partial reimbursement up to $225 for labor expenses although consumers and industry critics complained that such expenses can run into the thousands of dollars.
On January 16, 2009, a Washington homeowner filed a class action against Trex alleging similar complaints against the company for selling flawed wood products. The suit charged the company with violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act for selling products that peel, rot, splinter, crack and flake, swell and degrade. The class representative had claimed that the company refused to reimburse him for costs in repairing his deck including the high cost of labor.
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June 8th, 2011 - 21:53
I have a 1200 square foot TREX deck built in 2005-2006 that is flaking and turning into saw dust. The company doesn’t answer the phone for the warranty claims when I call. The only way I can reach anyone is to call into the department for new purchases. Amazing but that phone line picks up right away as they want to sell more product.
Buying TREX was the biggest mistake of my life. Years of replacing boards, many contractors and thousands of dollars in just replacements so far. I originally spent a total of $100,000 building my deck. Now I have to pay another contractor $20,000 to $30,000 to rip out the flaking TREX decking and rails. TREX is offering me $225 to help pay for labor cost. WOW, so I only have to pay $19,775 to $29,775 dollars to replace their DEFECTIVE product. STAY AWAY FROM TREX PRODUCTS!!!
Today TREX was suppose to call me back as they are escalating my claim to their corporate headquarters. They assured me I would hear from someone by the end of the day. NO CALL BACK, and they closed for the day. NO HELP FROM TREX CUSTOMER SUPPORT!!!
Since this issue has been going on for years now with no resolution I’ve filled a BBB, and Attorney General complaint so far today. I’ve also called the channel 7 ABC to let the general public know what they can expect as warranty from the TREX company. LIFE TIME WARRANTY, WHAT A JOKE
The Contra Costa times did a 4 page color spread in their garden section on my fish ponds and waterfalls. I’m looking forward to the follow up article so I can have them post photos of all my projects completed since the first article was written. I can’t wait to see photos of my decking surrounding my 5 fish ponds and waterfalls. Everything is beautiful except for the 1200 sq foot TREX saw dust deck I have. I’ll be sure and mention the TREX issue as I don’t want other consumers to go through what I’ve gone through.
Buy real wood, mother nature makes a much better product!