Three for Thursday 12.19.19
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
Season's greetings everyone! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for subscribing and being a part of our community. The common denominator that brings us together is the desire to trust others and to trust our outcomes. With that in mind, I want you to watch an investigation where trust didn't exist.
Watch this Investigation
It's so tempting to accept a cheap price and hope for the best, but getting the best almost never happens. Always get three estimates from reputable companies, because This Could Happen to You!
Ask Dale
Here's today's real consumer question: Phillip asks, "I just had an HVAC unit installed, and the contractor sent me a notice telling me I had to get it inspected by the city or county. Is this legit?"
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's lesson on how to be a savvy consumer: I hired a wedding planner who required a $1,500 deposit. We just had our first real meeting and the planner was totally unprepared. Can I get my money back? The answer is no and here's why:
Fast - Do they want your money NOW?
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money.
Define - Your deal by comparing Products, Offers and Prices. Our consumer failed to define what they expected from their wedding planner prior to signing a very vague contract.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. Our consumer should have not only defined what they expected in their written agreement but should have included deadlines for completion. Failure to meet a deadline with written penalties for that failure - such as return of deposit - would have protected this consumer.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. It's pretty obvious our consumer didn't check references.
Legitimize - Your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS