Three for Thursday 07.20.2023

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

Have you ever heard of the reasonable person standard? It is a term meant to describe a person of average caution, care, and consideration. The phrase originated in the 19th century in English law. For most of my life, people used the reasonable person standard or "test" to draw conclusions about other people's behavior and predicaments. The beauty of this "test" is that you mostly did it alone, when you were not affected by friends or vested interests trying to influence your conclusions. Today, social, and profit-driven media have all but destroyed the reasonable person standard. We are conditioned to reach conclusions that get us to stay "tuned in" or share our outrage for the purpose of getting others to "tune in." We at TrustDALE still rely heavily on the reasonable person standard to reach fair conclusions with our Make It Right Guarantee. It works best when value driven companies meet value seeking consumers and reason prevails. Want to participate? Buy from TrustDALE partners!

Watch this Investigation

Today's investigation - Ghosted by Customer Service. Watch because This Could Happen to You!

Ask Dale

Today's Ask Dale question comes from Toni, who wants to know how to get out of a co-signed lease. Watch the video for the answer!

Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!

Today's seven-point lesson is on rectifying a mistake, after you have signed.

Fast - Do they want your money NOW! Paying in full upfront is almost never rectifiable.

Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? Avoid taking the ‘too good to be true" option. Validating the value of fair payment for fair product is always the better course.

Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he cannot be found after he gets your money. This is also impossible to rectify, therefore be certain you can validate whereabouts of the salesperson before you sign or pay.

Define - Your deal by comparing product, Offer and Price. You don't have to rectify if you know you've agreed to terms justified by what the market will bear.

Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. Rectifying mistakes is much easier when you have the protection of solid guarantees which include safeguards like cooling off periods, or the right to return.

Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Is the seller reasonable after the sale? Reviews will reveal!

Legitimize - your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is lawsuit and background checked. Companies who are sued based on fairness usually win if their unfair action is legal. Still, reviewing their court record will let you know if they take advantage.