Do I have to pay for pest control I didn’t like?
Last week a young man came to my door and offered to do the pest control in my house. I said I was travelling the next day, so he offered to do just the outside for half the price. I accepted just as a trial. However in the same evening he came with a contract and said, if we didn’t like it, we could easily cancel the contract, so he wrote down my credit card in the contract, and left.
I was away for a week, and when I came back I saw a note the company had been here, but my garden had more ants than ever, the mosquitos were not gone.
I told the company I can pay for the work outside, and I’ll cancel the contract
(They wrote down the wrong credit car number and keep calling to get the right number)
They want me to pay $150 dollars to cancel the contract, and not the $42 we agreed on!!!
What should I do?
I have been living in Texas for only 1 year and I dont know the laws here. Can they suit me? even doing a lousy job? Do I have to pay for that?
August 18th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Congratulations, you fell prey to a scam artist. If he truly did write down the wrong credit card number, thank your guardian angel. You could be out a whole lot more money. You should probably consult the BBB in your city to see what your options are. It may cost you $192 to get out of this but I hope it’s a lesson learned. NEVER, EVER hire someone who knocks on your door or just happens to be in the neighborhood. That’s how scam artists operate! Under no circumstance give them your proper credit card number or even a bank account number. Do call the BBB, Better Business Bureau or some Consumer Protection Agency NOW.
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August 18th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
no the BBB has no bite, you need to contact the Texas Structural Pest Control Board ran through the Tx Dep of Ag. Texas is pro consumer protection and you usually don’t have to pay for a service if you are unsatisfied with the service. Yes they can sue you if they want to, but I would bet if the TSPCB got involved they will handle it a more professional way. One of the first questions the board will have for this company is why are they applying an insecticide before a contract was made up.
me-certified applicator for Texas
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August 18th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
It would be a good deal for you to check on your credit card. That is a scam. He wanted your credit card number. You do not owe him anything. If you wrote down the right number, how could he have the wrong number? If he keeps calling you, tell him to not call anymore and quit harassing you on the phone. It is against the law to harass someone on the phone. He did not spray anything. The information on the contract might be all fake. Like the address and telephone number.
Good luck.
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