DS Waters Sparkletts Deceptive business practices including hidden charges, erroneous late fees and bait and switch, Internet
Contracted Sparkletts/Costco Water for spring water delivery service, including free water cooler. Received bottled tap water and a monthly charge for water cooler that was 25% of the total cost of water. Called to cancel and was promised a free water cooler and spring water for the same price stated in the original contract. Each month the accounting statement reflected errors, whether for cost of water or water cooler rental charge. Each month, customer service promised to correct the errors.
On top of the ridiculous amount of time spent discussing errors with customer service each month, the company changed the amount of the account plan (charging more money for less water) in the middle of the contract (to "justify the free water cooler" per customer service) and charged late fees for not paying charges invoiced in error. Either the company operates with intent to defraud customers or is so mismanaged that they legitimately do not understand the errors they generate. Either way, dealing with DS Waters felt like a huge ripoff.