Three for Thursday 07.30.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
Imagine you're in a room with absolutely no light. You can tell you're in a pool of water, but you can't find or touch the bottom. Before you start trying to swim in a direction, you hear a voice coming from a speaker in your right ear telling you your only chance of survival is to swim to your right as fast as you can until you reach the side of the pool. Simultaneously there's a voice in your left ear strongly advising you to not move a muscle and simply tread water until receiving further direction. Welcome to where we are in this pandemic. I hear angry voices and see people sharing the anger every day. I'm not angry, I am simply waiting as patiently as I can for direction based on evidence. My "ask" today is that we in the TrustDALE community continue to be good to each other until that evidence arrives.
Watch this Investigation
A gutter company's product doesn't seem to work as it advertised, so TrustDALE helps the homeowner make sure his money doesn't go down the drain. Watch, because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Janice and Gary both want to know, "Is suing in small claims court worth the trouble?"
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on: Finding a reputable and reasonable car repair facility.
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Never pay money in advance for a car repair, and don't allow the dismantling of your car without first having a signed written agreement.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. This in part, is why I don't recommend extended warranties. The promise of what you "think" you'll get in terms of protection is far more than the reality.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. While I like the idea of mobile mechanics, it's super important to check their credentials, references and ratings if they're coming to you.
Define - Products, Offers and Prices.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. It's easy to get sucked in by a free diagnostic check only to learn you paid far too much for the repair.Make certain you have the expected outcome in writing.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Few businesses are easier to find reviews and reports on than car repair facilities. Absence of reviews should be a red flag. If you see a pattern of complaints, heed the warning!
Legitimize your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked.An unlicensed "shade tree" mechanic might save you some cash, but it's also a big risk. If you go the shade tree route, still check references and talk in person to at least three satisfied customers.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS