Three for Thursday 09.30.2021
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
The first time I witnessed disruption it looked a lot more like destruction. As a child, I stepped in an ant bed, only to watch in amazement as the ants immediately went to work rebuilding their bed, bigger and better. My most recent experience was this week, when I met Terry, who told me he'd lost his position with a major organization when it closed its 130 payment centers, because customers could now pay their bills via their smart phones. Terry had to reinvent himself, and he told me he's done it twice. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the average American will have twelve jobs in his or her lifetime. The moral of this post? Disruption is now a constant. The question is, how do we respond to it? I think most Americans are a lot like Terry, who stood up, shook himself off, and said "what's next?" I wish you luck with your next ant bed!
Watch this Investigation
Michelle Kelly bought a new fridge, but they charged her twice! Watch, because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Today's Ask Dale question comes from Chiquita, who wants me to recommend a reverse mortgage company... What do you think I told her? Click the video for the answer.
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson is when to bail on a deal if terms suddenly change
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? 30 percent down changes to pay in full? Bail!
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff?If the terms suddenly become significantly less favorable, the first offer was likely a bait and switch.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. "Under new management," or we're sending you a new sales rep can be signs of instability. Proceed with caution.
Define - Your deal by comparing Product, Offer and Price. "We're suddenly out of those, but we have these..." Red flag.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. You're ready to sign, but something suddenly changes... Red flag!
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Again, "under new management" can change everything.
Legitimize - your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. These are unchanging bedrocks of good consumerism.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS