Three for Thursday 05.13.2021
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
"We need you to call us regarding an important matter about this loan." That's the message I received in the mail this week. This is the umpteenth similar message I've received since refinancing my home loan late last year. It's from a publicly traded company trying to trick me into contacting them. I've come to believe publicly held companies are more likely to engage in tricks than privately held companies. Why? Because with privately held companies, there's someone responsible for the company's messaging. With public companies, there's a president who answers to a board that answers to faceless stockholders. I think our economy needs both publicly traded and privately held companies, but I like the latter better. Why? Because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get a trick message from a TrustDALE certified company, most of which are privately owned. Why? The buck stops with a person who feels a sense of responsibility.
Watch this Investigation
When is a termite bond not what it appears to be? Watch because This Could Happen to You!
Ask Dale
Today's Real Consumer Question is from Scotty, who wants to know you can tell the difference between naturally rising prices and gouging, and what you can do about it.
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson is on determining the legitimacy of an offer.
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Full payment in advance often indicates the product might not match the hype.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? Remember "Sea Monkeys" or mini submarines advertised in comic books? Did the product ever match the hype?
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. Any amount of money that could result in regret should be equally matched with your effort to determine if the seller has a findable office.
Define - Your deal by comparing Product, Offer and Price. Comparing these variables will almost always help you determine if the offer is legitimate.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. Holes an any three of these safeguards suggest the offer is not legitimate.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. The appeal of an offer should be balanced against solid references and supportive reviews. The absence of either is a real red flag.
Legitimize - your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. Legitimate companies check all three of these boxes.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS