Three for Thursday 09.15.2022
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
I got ghosted at the Depot. I was in the lighting department, and I asked a guy with an apron to help me select the correct light. He looked a little panicked, and said he was going to go find "Vince." I'm guessing Vince knew more about lighting, but I waited ten minutes and Vince was a no show. Not a big deal, Home Depot's service is usually great, but it got me thinking about "owning" your responsibility and learning everything you can about your job to maximize your usefulness to your employer and consumer, or just showing up and doing enough not to get fired. We're living in strange times when a lot of people have just quit, become self-employed, or are showing up and doing their best despite the circumstances. And then there are those who are accepting the challenge of making your day better by delivering more than you expect. My hat is off to those people, and to the guy who ghosted me, no hard feelings!
Watch this Investigation
Today's investigation -Soiled Sofa.
Anne was stunned when her very expense sofa retailer wouldn't stand behind their very expensive sofa. Watch because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Today's Ask Dale question comes from Paul, who wants to know if he can ask for a refund from a company for shipping when they sent him a faulty product. The answer is...
Click the link below to find out!
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson is on how to deal with an unresponsive out of state vendor.
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Never pay in full via internet or wire transfer to a company you haven't thoroughly vetted for reputation and stability.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? It's so easy to lose money because you discover you've bought a substandard product too late. You're unlikely to get a refund.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. The internet is a great place to hide and never be found.
Define - Your deal by comparing product, Offer and Price. I'm far more comfortable when I can inspect the product in person. If you find it online, see if there's a local dealer near you.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. Online sales often come with many exclusions in your warranty. Examine closely before you buy!
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Lots of bad reviews or no reviews at all are a bad sign the company will deal in bad faith.
Legitimize - your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. If you can't find this evidence online, be highly suspicious.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS