Three for Thursday 06.04.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
Good Thursday everyone, I'd like to share a thought on thunderstorms and tears. When I was four years old, I was afraid of thunderstorms for two reasons. First, they were scary and second - at four years old, I never knew how long they would last. The only thing that could make them worse, was being in the presence of a child crying hysterically. Fast forward 53 years... We're in the middle of a thunderstorm, and I would like to see the news channels turn their theme music down. You see, in normal times, the networks use loud, dramatic music to catch your attention, mainly because a mudslide in Washington State that doesn't hurt anyone and harm anything might not be enough to garner the attention of someone on the east coast. We are no longer in a season of "infotainment." We simply need information. The consumer angle? People and companies that scream at you, are likely doing so, because the substance of their message or product might not be enough to earn your attention. Have a safe rest of your week!
Watch this Investigation
Rebecca hired a contractor to remove some trees and give new life to her yard, but the contractor cashed her check and thought he'd escaped. That is until Rebecca called TrustDALE. Watch, because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Mia asks: "Dale, this company has sent me material claiming their device can cut my home's power consumption by 90 % for just $39.99. Have you heard about this?"
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on promising money-saving offers:
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? The amount of money you pay for an unproven product is directly proportional to the amount of risk you're willing to take. It varies, but I would never risk more than $20 dollars without doing some level of research.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. Offers that promise more than a double-digit return and seem outside the norm should be thoroughly examined.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. Extraordinary savings are often coupled with an unfindable seller.
Define - Products, Offers and Prices. If you can't find a competitor with at a similar price point, either the vendor has invented a product that's new to the market - which is unlikely - or they're more likely cutting corners.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. The more incredible the offer and I mean "un-credible," the closer you must examine the effectiveness of your guarantee.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Money saving opportunities should not only be backed by reviews, but references. Ask for people you can identify who will vouch for the money-saving opportunity and explain why.
Legitimize - Your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. This is always important, but essential if you're shopping and purchasing on-line. Don't let fear of missing out prevent you from proving the company's legitimate existence.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS