Three for Thursday 06.25.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
A few thoughts on making things better. I called ahead to one of my favorite restaurants for take-out. They told me it would be ready in 15 minutes and instructed me to pull up to the red tent (set up for take-out due to Covid). I pulled up and found myself in a line ten cars deep! It was obvious they were allowing people to place their orders at the tent, while those who had called ahead to save time found themselves waiting an additional 20 minutes! This restaurant has obviously not seen the dramatic drive-through experience created by Chick-Fil-A. After decades of single file take out, Chick-Fil-A figured out they could double the drive throughs and get this - send associates to your car to take your order and payment before you reach the window - dramatically slashing wait times! Why did it take so long to discover something so simple, like when they finally started putting 360-degree wheels on suitcases? It took someone to stop and think about ways to make things better. At TrustDALE we're constantly thinking about ways to make it better. If you have any suggestions, we're listening!
Watch this Investigation
When purchasing a car, be sure to do more than just kick the four tires. Watch, because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Jerry asks, "Dale, my Aunt purchased long term care insurance many years ago. They contacted her and asked if she would like to accept a change that would cost her less in taxes and she agreed. Now she's realized they changed other terms without telling her, and now she realized they've excluded some important coverage. Can they do that?
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on purchasing long term care:
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? This of course - is a no brainer. Never be pressured when purchasing insurance.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. Insurance works, because large pools of people pay in, and small numbers need it. This should lead to reasonable monthly payments, but unusually low payments could suggest hidden exclusions in your coverage. Be careful!
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. Never buy insurance from someone you don't know, or refuses to give you a findable, provable office address.
Define - Products, Offers and Prices. I believe long term care policies are sound investments, especially when they cover nursing home care. However, I strongly suggest you consult an expert to compare policies.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. This is why you should bring in an expert. Compare policies and consider paying a friend who's in the industry to tell you which policy is best.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. It's best to do business with a brand you recognize. This makes it easier to research their references, reviews and track records. Some bad carriers hide behind names you won't recognize. If you can't find reviews - don't agree to the policy.
Legitimize your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. Insurance companies that provide long term care insurance MUST be licensed by a state government. Check with your state's Department of Insurance to see if the company and its agent is legitimate.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS