Another ADT Dealer Sales Scam

["Sonicduck" <jones1019@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sam of Ocala FL (6/14/03):
I was consulted by a group of door to door salespersons in June 2002
about a free installation of the ADT equipment if we agree to put their
sign in our yard and on our windows. Several times my wife asked,
"what's the catch?" We were assured several times by the salespersons
that there was no catch. They presented us with a Crime Grid of the
area, stating the incline of Criminal Activity.

At the time, we were considering putting our house up for sale and we
explained that to the salespersons. They told us that in order for us
to receive the "free installation" we would have to sign the contract
for three years. I again explained that we do not think that we will
live in this house for three years and that we did not want to sign the
contract. They were persistant. One "pretended" to call a supervisor
and ask if we would be able to break the contract if we moved within
the three years. The "supervisor" reassured me that the contract was
easy to break as long as we SOLD OUR HOUSE we would not be obligated to
the terms of the contract.

I asked that it be put in writing, and that section be crossed off our
contract. The salespersons did cross it through and intitial it. We
were satisfied with their cooperativeness and we agreed to have the
system installed. In Nov. 2002 we put our house on the market and it
sold in two weeks. We officially sold our house in Feb. 2003, at which
time, we called to cancel our contract. During the phone conversation,
the person agreed to cancel our service and stated that they would send
our final bill.

When we received our bill, it stated that we owed over $950.00 for 75%
of the contract. We were completely surprised to say the least. My wife
called and was told that NO MATTER WHAT we could not break the
contract. My wife explained that we were assured and reassured that by
selling our house, the contract would be voided and she was laughed at
by the phone rep. When asked to speak with the Manager, she was told
that there was no way a manager would talk to her. Aggrevated, my wife
hung up to call back a different day. Of course, each and every time
she called, she got the same run around.

Finally two months later, she talked to the only helpful person at ADT,
Melissa. Melissa explained to my wife that independant contractors do
the door to door sales. (by the way they work on commission only) She
told my that ADT gets a lot of complaints due to the deceitful tactics
of these salespeople. She also told me that ADT does not officially own
the contract, that the company that initially sold it to us holds the
contract for one year and then ADT buys the contract. She told us to
contact that company for problems.

My wife then called that company. She was told by the Manager that the
sales crew that sold to us that day no longer works for the company and
that all of the files for that crew has come up "missing." I agreed to
send a copy of our contract, which I did. Of course I received no call.
I called back two weeks later. The manager stated that he can't be sure
who put that line through the part of the contract in question, however
in any event, the salespeople are NOT AUTHORIZED to alter the contract
in any way. I explained to the Manager that they called their
supervisor and got authorization. The Manager said that the supervisor
was the one who initially sold me the service, and of course he is no
longer with the agency. And we were instructed to call ADT.

Sam should go to Small Claims Court with a copy of the contract that
was modified by the salesperson.