Robco Fence and Deck exec says company working to make customers whole

More than two dozen former customers of Robco Fence and Deck have complained to 5 On Your Side since the Raleigh company suddenly shut down. They claim to have lost a total of almost $250,000.

After two weeks of phone calls, texts and knocking on doors, Monica Laliberte caught up with one of Robco's executives.

Andrew Robinson was inside the multimillion-dollar Raleigh home just built by another one of his companies – Robco Design Build – that's now for sale.

Robinson is vice president of operations at Robco Fence and Deck. His brother, Jay Robinson, is CEO.

"We're trying to stay in contact with customers, doing our best to make sure everyone is taken care of," Andrew Robinson said.

Although he said he's been advised not to comment, he did say he agrees the dozens of customers who reached out to 5 On Your Side for help deserve answers.

Many learned the company had closed only when they saw it on WRAL.

Jerry Cotten says Andrew Robinson came to his home last Monday to finalize plans, four days after other customers received an email saying the company was "forced to close (its) doors and discontinue operations."

Cotten's $6,750 down payment – he paid in cash when offered a discount – is among the hundreds of thousands of dollars that customers paid for jobs that either never started or were never finished.

"This is devastating for us," Andrew Robinson said, although he didn't have an explanation when asked how it happened.

"Just know that we’re trying to do our best to get everyone paid and make everyone whole and do right by everyone,” he said.

Since 5 On Your Side got involved, Robco refunded John Santana's $3,100 deposit; Alyssa Duke of Durham just received a $1,145 deposit refund check; Jon Moran of Apex says Robco refunded $736 and finished his backyard fence.

So far, it appears those getting refunds paid comparatively smaller deposits.

Late last week, Katy Claggett was promised a $15,483 refund, but so far, she hasn't received it.

Justin Church is out $61,000. He got a text to set up a meeting to talk with Jay and Andrew Robinson next week.

Other customers haven't heard anything.

"We’re working with everyone individually," Andrew Robinson told 5 On Your Side. "If they haven’t been contacted, they’re on our list, and it’s just a lot to do, and there’s just not much of the company left.

“We’re doing our best, and we’re trying. It’s just going to take a little bit of time.”