Three for Thursday 04.06.2023

Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.

Here's a tale of two counties. Last week I told you about Tavia Anderson and our experience with the Gwinnett County court. Tavia had spent four years and ten visits to the courthouse seeking justice for a theft. The person who stole Tavia's money knew how to work the system, and the system allowed her to do it. In Tavia's opinion, she was denied justice, the thief got a hand slap, and I was stone-walled when trying to get information. The same day, on an unrelated consumer matter, I visited the county's Office of Environmental Health. I needed to be educated in septic systems. Unlike the Justice Center, there were no walls or locked doors separating me from the people taxpayers pay to help the public. A nice lady named Laura greeted me with a smile and spent twenty minutes patiently explaining the ins and outs of obtaining a septic permit in Gwinnett County. I know the court system is overwhelmed and I'm sure that plays a role. But public employees shouldn't be allowed to use walls, locked doors and answering machines to hide from the people they're paid to serve.

Watch this Investigation

Today's investigation - Prove you are alive. Billie is getting the runaround. Watch because This Could Happen to you!

Ask Dale

Today's Ask Dale question comes from Louis, who wants to know what must be disclosed by the owner when selling a home. Watch the video to find out!

Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!

Today's seven-point lesson is on dealing with an untruthful company or person.

Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Giving money up front to a deceitful person almost always ends badly - for the buyer.

Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? Hiding the true cost of a product is a common deceitful act. Exposing that deceit in social media can have positive implications.

Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. The origin of deceit, and you're out of luck.

Define - Your deal by comparing Product, Offer and Price.Make certain the model delivered is the model purchased.

Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. It is your best protection from deceit. If you don't understand the contract, don't sign until you do!

Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. The best way to prevent dealing with a deceitful entity is to take this step seriously.

Legitimize - Your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. Lawsuit losses often expose previous deceit. That's why this step is so important!