Complaint Review: David L. Latimer - David Latimer - Forensic & Scientific Investigations - FSI FSI K9 Academy

Mold Dog rip-off artist David L. Latimer (David Latimer) of Forensic & Scientific Investigations and FSI K9 Academy will steal your money. He is hiding at www.thescentdog.com/Resume.htm.

Located in Vincent, Alabama (approximately 35 miles due southeast of Birmingham), David L. Latimer and Forensic & Scientific Investigations have experience in the conduct of technical investigations and canine assisted scene searches. They claim they have the experience and knowledge to take your case from the scene to the courtroom. Instead they will STEAL your money and deliver NOTHING.

FSI is also the home of FSI K9 Academy, one of the nation's leading trainers of reliable scent detection canines. It is also owned and operated by David Latimer. David conducts various canine-assisted investigations and scene examinations. David holds several technical certifications related to the field of forensics and fire and explosion investigation and K9 training.

David Latimer is head trainer at FSI K9 ACADEMY. He claims he is also a mold dog trainer. At least this is what he preached in multiple phone conversations and emails during my dealings with him from September 2003 till June 2004. I wanted to start a Mold Dog business and during my due diligence I found him as one of a few potential trainers. I found one of his customers and received reasonable reviews and made the decision to have him train a scent dog or a dog that can detect mold, a mold dog. His price was $5,500.00 and I asked him in an email if he had a contract. His response was thus:

I do not have a contract. I've worked on one and have a rough draft, but it is not ready for use. I've never really felt like I needed one, but lawyers have chided me about not having one and told me that I should, so I guess I will at some point. One of the problems with a contract in this business is I can't force people who buy a dog to do what I tell them to do and to be diligent about how they work and condition a dog. If these dogs aren't handled and worked correctly they will not perform well. Dogs will adapt themselves to your motivation and expectation level - high or low. I can tell you unconditionally, that if you work the dog the way I teach in the class and do so daily, you'll develop into a good scent detection team, if you don't a contract won't make much difference.

The way we normally handle this transaction is for purchasers to place a $1,500.00 deposit for each dog that is ordered. The balance of $4,000.00 will be due prior to your departure from the class with your dog. The time frame is around three to six months of training for the dog - usually close to three, but I like to have leeway in this and allow the dog to develop at its own pace. You will of course need to travel here for a four day class at the end of that period.

Well, he was a good ole boy and sounded honest and his website and credentials looked reasonable so I decided, why not. After sending him a check for the $1,500.00 he requested he indicated to me that he had a very nice smaller dog in mind to train for me and promised to send me some pictures. The dogs name was Snoopy. I never received any pictures and asked again. He told me he had been in an accident and would get to it. Still no pictures but what the heck.

I waited and waited and waited. Well he did say 6 months. Still no contact, updates or any communications. I figured I would give him the full 6 months. In June of 2004 I sent him a note requesting my deposit back. Here it is:

When we arranged for this situation, I asked to get started on September 17th of last year. You indicated that you had no contract and that you wanted a $1,500.00 deposit with the balance payable upon receipt. You also indicated that the training period was 3 to 6 months with the notion it was closer to 3 months and you just liked giving yourself some leeway. Again, I indicated for you to get started on November 11th and you promised some pictures on the 13th. I never received ANY of the pictures that were promised several times. The deposit check was returned once and I verified your address and sent it again which you acknowledged receipt. You promised more pictures which were never sent. You indicated that you were working on a Israeli military deal. After this I never heard from you again. No updates, no nothing.

Even though you did not provide a contract, you did indicate in both our verbal conversations and in the emails which I have, the details of our arrangement. We have now extended beyond the six months indicated and I feel that your lack of communication and failure to keep me updated combined together represent a breach of contract. We have had to adjust our plans and make other arrangements. It was not my responsibility to query you about your progress.

I would like our $1,500.00 deposit returned due to your lack of communications and failure to deliver within the timeframe promised. Our plans required changes due to this lack of attention and we no longer involve your services or product. I feel that if I had not sent the prior note that I would have never heard from you. I am sorry for this situation but it cost me both time and money.

This was his response a day later:

Much of your email message is inaccurate. Be that as it may, the deposit is non-refundable. Your unilateral "change in plans" is an example of why I required a non-refundable deposit. I may consider attempting to make alternative arrangements for the dog when I have the opportunity. I admit no obligation or responsibility to do so, however, if I can find an alternative buyer for the dog, I may consider refunding a portion of the deposit.

I asked David a simple question and received no answer from him. Maybe you can tell me when you were going to contact me?

I replied with the following email to him:

Here you go. Nothing about a non-refundable deposit.

Just admit your failure to treat a customer like a customer. I asked for your contract and you gave me the following B.S. Just read what YOU said.

You never delivered within the timeframe and if I hadn't sent you a note requesting my money back you would have left it as it was. Your pants are down and your a*s is showing.

Just refund my money and we can both forget it. You are trying to run a business and I don't think your reputation is worth less than $1,500.00 now is it?

I received no response to this last note and I have now been ripped-off by this phony mold dog trainer. I have since gone to his website and have found that there are no links to his mold dog training service. He simply could not deliver and also just ran a scam on me. I would like to get my money back but I am not holding my breath.

David Latimer may have all his credentials posted and he may look legitimate but beware. He is a con man and a rip-off. On his website he claims, the proof is in the pooch! BE CAREFUL, DON'T LET DAVID L. LATIMER SCREW YOU POOCH

Robert
Las Altas, California
U.S.A.