Complaint Review: Polycom S.A.

Rip-off report alert Polycom Industries a manufacturer and exporter of Rubber seals. They also own and manage POLYBODEGAS (506) 2293-7016 Phone their email address is ccampos@polycom.co.cr

As with most Costa Rican companies, the local mindset is to rip off the gringo. What I found from personal experience is written for the record. If you choose to do business with this company be  forewarned they are not to be trusted. Decide for yourself.

I rented a storage unit from them for the past 3 1/2 years. In the past I paid my bill in full for the year as I enjoy coming down 1-3 times annually.  I knew I would not be down for a while this last time so I paid for 2 years up front.

I had planned on moving to CR so I was stocking up my large locker with new furnishings that would be used as household furniture. I had purchased over the years a flat screen, air conditioner, laptop, craftsmen tools, GPSs with the CR mapping system, and various clothing, leather jacket and boots. I placed a 2001 Harley Fatboy in the locker along with an air compressor, battery charger clothes, helmets, miscellaneous parts etc. I would estimate close to $3500.00 dollars worth of goods. I chose the closet locker available to the Armed Guards office and key holder to the gate, approximately 30 ft away.

No one entered the gated facility without a passport or picture id. He used to stop my friends from entering because they were not on the approved list. I went out and bought a $100.00 dollar lock for the locker and just for safe keeping I purchased another and had TWO massive locks on each side of the garage door. I secured my Harleys rear tire with a drum lock and the frontend was locked to the side. I also secured the ignition lock on my bike as well.

During this last visit my LOCKS HAD BEEN REMOVED AND REPLACED BY A COMPANY LOCK WHICH IS USED TO SECURE LOCKERS THAT HAVE NOT KEPT CURRENT WITH THEIR RENT. I had to have the guard and a Polycom employee, break into the locker because my keys no longer worked. Everything that wasnt bolted down was missing. I brought this to the managements attention and they hid behind the fact that they could not be responsible for the contents of my locker or what I had in it. While this is true according to the contract I signed they did not have an answer as to how their locks were on my locker and why?

I pressed them for an answer to which they had to agree it was their guard service, that had to do it. They could not deny the fact that it had to be done with the securities knowledge since it was too close to their shack for anyone else to do it and not be seen or heard.

I asked for the two years rent I paid in full as compensation for the secured facility.  My request declined, due to a technicality in the contract.  There were no cameras available for review. If you see their advertisement for this location, they boast of armed tightened security. The problem lies with the crooks being paid to guard. I dont for one minute believe the Nicaraguan guard acted alone, or would jeopardize his job for the items in the locker without the bosses direct involvement. Jobs are too hard to come by in that field and being an immigrant he could  not afford to be fired and blackballed.

When the manager of the guard service (the real crook) showed up, gun on the hip intimidating me without regard to the crime. He refused to right a report, or allow me to take pictures of the area. He didnt  look me in the eyes until I mentioned how much money was stored in the locker, ( hidden) in the locker in two places.

I had bolted down a safe which held a few thousand dollars placed some empty cardboard boxes strategically over it so no one would pay attention to the area. Also  underneath a shelf was another few thousand cleverly hidden. (I had closed my bank account because of the red tape involving Americans with bank accounts and started to store my cash in the locker). When I told the guy my opinion of how stupid the idiot crook was, who broke in, he glared at me with a passion!  He was mad at himself for missing it and knew I called him out.

CROOKS, CROOKS, CROOKS. Thats all I can say about Polycom Industries in Allejuella, near San Jose Costa Rica and their worthless security. They should have done the right thing and reimbursed me for the money I paid. I wasnt even asking for them to pay for what was taken, just do the right thing.

Before I left I visited a catholic orphanage and donated the money which was in the safe. It was never about the money it was about the mentality of rip off the gringo that  really did the damage. Christian the floor manager at Polycom was well informed of all that happen and made the decision not to allow the accountant Vanassa (very nice lady and no part of this scam) to reimburse me.  Hold no grudges against the CR people I have a distaste for all crooks; both the ones that do that crime and those that enable them.