Re: My alarm company has billed me before doing anything

["alarman" <alarman2000@xxxxxxxxx>]

dcalarms wrote:
> I contracted with a local alarm company in December.  The day after
> the contract was signed, I called the salesman and asked to have two
> sensors removed from the contract.  We agreed that I would go to the
> same local electronic supply house (where I have shopped for years)
> and buy some additional sensors and then do the pre-wiring myself.
> The salesman agreed and we reduced the contract charges by about $300
> and agreed that they would install a DSC Kit, the QP6-3-433, and that
> I would go ahead and pull the electrical and phone connections to the
> point where the box and panel were to be installed.
>
> I subsequently realized I didn't have time to do the work right away
> and called and spoke with one of the company's owners and asked him to
> wait until I had time to do the pre-wire and purchasing of the extra
> sensors and boards I want to ad.  He agreed with no hesitation and
> even offered to buy anything I wanted and bill me at his cost.
>
> Since that conversation a month ago, I visited the electronics house
> and picked up pointers on a different kit that would be better for
> what I want.  I also obtained the price for thie kit that is on my
> contract.
>
> To this date, the alarm company has done nothing more than have a
> salesman spend a coouple of hours selling me the system and writing a
> contract.  They admit they have not bought any items for my job and
> they have not done anything except talk with me.
>
> Friday, I received an invoice, marked 90 Days Past Due, for the full,
> original contract cost, plus a full charge for a quarter's monitoring
> -- of a system that has never been installed.  Despite the 80 Days
> Past Due, they've never invoiced me before.
>
> As alarm systems professionals, what would you do if you were in my
> place?
>
> Options:
>
> Call the owner again and ask him to explain the invoice.  If he is at
> the least uncooperative, advise him that I want to cancel the contract
> because of the poor customer service and ask for all of my $300
> deposit back -- except for a $50 deduction to pay the salesman's
> commission.
>
> Refer matter to state alarm company licensing bureau and ask them to
> investigate the matter.
>
> In addition to referring it to the state authorities, contact the
> local BBB and register a complaint about the company's business
> practices.
>
> Make no contact with the company or the state and file a small claims
> court action to get my entire $300 back and then cancel the order.
>
> I suspect that somewhere, in this group, there are dealers and
> salesman who have been on the other side of this situation -- and
> maybe a consumer or two that has been in my situatin.  I'd like to
> read ideas from both sides of the equation.
>
> Thanks,
>
> DCAlarms2007

Where do you people come from?
js