Three for Thursday 08.27.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
I'm in love with my car. Ok, not that in love, but I am really fond of my 1971 Datsun (Nissan) 240 Z. I love it because it's simple, I can work on it, and it goes really fast (or at least feels that way) and still looks great. In short, it was built to last. I also like that it turns 50 this month - as it rolled off the line in August of 1970. That's the same year my sister Bekah rolled off the assembly line as the third child in our family, and she looks even better than my 240 Z! Happy birthday Bekah and happy Thursday everyone!
Watch this Investigation
Just because he says he's a taxi driver, doesn't mean he really is a taxi driver. Watch, part one of this two part series, (part two next week) because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Today's Real Consumer Question is from Janet: "Dale, I am looking for a free and safe to use Windows 10 download site..." Watch my answer because I clear up a confusing subject!
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on: Where to draw the line between trusting someone's word and doing your due diligence. "Due" is just that, but when is it due?
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Never give anyone (in my opinion) $50 or more without the first level of due diligence, which is to make them prove who they are and prove where they can be found.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. It's really tempting to fail to do due diligence when the opportunity appears substantial and fleeting at the same time. Resist the temptation of greed!
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. This is your most important step of due diligence second only to FAST(see above)
Define - Products, Offers and Prices. If you're spending (in my opinion) $50 or more, the amount of due diligence is directly related to the cost of the service or product. Getting three estimates or testing three models is always a good idea.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. I've seen people get burned because the scanned a contract and saw the words "lifetime guarantee," without reading what that meant. Read and thoroughly understand your guarantee and return policies!
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Again, the more money you spend - the more important it becomes to ask for 20 references, look for negative patterns in reviews, and see if their hand has been slapped by governing associations or watchdogs.
Legitimize your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked.Checking a company's record in small claims court is one of the easiest things to do - that almost no one does. TrustDALE does.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS