Three for Thursday 06.11.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
I was in fifth grade, standing toe to toe on the playground with Darrell. Darrell could curse a blue steak and I was petrified. At the time I thought Darrell had the advantage, but as I aged, I realized my ability to think before I spoke was the true advantage. That ability continues to serve me as a consumer investigator because sometimes things are not what they appear to be. I've learned in the last couple of months, I have a lot to learn about what it's like to walk in other people's shoes. TrustDALE believes it's time to respectively speak up, because black lives matter.
Watch this Investigation
"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," unless you drop your important papers in a mailbox. Watch, because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Christine wants to know if your cable provider can bill you in advance for services not yet delivered. Watch the video to find out the answer!
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on interpreting contracts:
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Never pay money in advance for a service that requires a contract you haven't read. Avoid signing contracts on the same day it's presented.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. Contracts that appear to deliver an unfair advantage to the buyer often have hidden provisions that ultimately steer that advantage to the seller.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. A con artist will sign a binding contract in a heartbeat if he intends to take your money and has confidence you won't be able to find his true identify or location.
Define - Products, Offers and Prices. Demand clear language that defines exactly what you're buying. If it's confusing, insist on better written explanation, or don't sign!
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. I recently interviewed a couple that signed a contract to purchase an above ground pool in large part because it carried "life--time coverage." Now that their pool is failing - they've learned that life-time coverage has no definition and therefore no coverage. So, not only read, but be certain you understand you guarantee.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Nothing substitutes for gathering real references (at least twenty - so you can choose the three or four to contact).
Legitimize - Your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. Be wary of companies that appear to have many disclaimers in their agreements, such as "I acknowledge this company did not use bait and switch tactics when selling to me." That's a real red flag and you should check magistrate and state courts to see if that company is frequently sued.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS