Salt River Solar and Wind Horrible Service since Day 1 Internet, Internet
I contracted with this company in late-2009 to install solar panels on my house. The installation was a nightmare - no updates, no communication, etc. Once installed, I noticed that my panels were not producing the amount of energy promised. I started to complain to them and would get no response. I sent a final letter and got no response so I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
They initially vehemently disputed the BBB complaint but I had so much evidence against them and the promises they had made. Finally one of the owners, Mike Fricker, called. He admitted the system they had installed would not produce the amount of power promised; he blamed it on bad estimates from the manufacturer as to how much each panel would produce. He agreed to install four additional panels at no cost to me if I would say that the BBB complaint was settled which I did. This contract was signed in early 2011.
Almost eight months later, the panels are still not installed. Once again, when I would inquire to progress, I would get no communication. My project manager, Lalo, would indicate that he would have to get answers from Tim Precourt and would call me back - but wouldn't. I would call Tim who would tell me that he would have Lalo call be back with answers which didn't happen. I finally sent a final demand to Mike Fricker and got no response so I filed a new complaint with the BBB. They have indicated they no longer do business with my manufacturer and they are trying to arrange for another installer to complete my contract.
In the meantime, I have been through two summers without the system producing what was initially promised. I have no reason to believe it will be rectified anytime soon. The communication at/from this company is a joke. A couple of weeks ago, I received a message from one of the owners, David, saying he wanted to see what could be done to settle this. I was out of town when he left the message so I returned his call when I returned. He wasn't available (of course) so I had to leave him a message. The following day, one of their salespeople called to say that she had been given a message that I had called and wanted information on having solar panels installed on my home. I gave her an earful. She promised to get back with answers. I continue to grow old waiting. This is the typical communication from this company. I have notes that could make a skit for Saturday Night Live. I know it's fresh on my mind but I cannot recall having a worse experience from a company in my life.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
anonymous
Phoenix,Arizona,
United States of America
here are a few things that should be helpful
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, February 28, 2012
I have a current problem with this co. & my report is just showing up today on ripoff report.
My suggestion is never to file an actual complaint against this co. or any co. (NEVER) on the az bbb website instead post negative customer reviews on the bbb. Because once you do this you lose your right to file customer reviews which is stated on the bbb website. But if you are posting a new review you should probaly be able to post it on the bbb website.
I would also suggest posting on the bbb site on the customer review that you intend to file with the az attorney general's office & the registar of contractors. I believe this should put some motivation for the co. to deal in good faith.
The co. hates this because every potential customer will read this & you can keep on posting all the reviews you want til i think it is stated on the az bbb for 3 yrs. for one incident The co. told me to file a complaint with az bbb because they know then the complaint would be private.
I told them I would file a complaint against if warranted with the az attorney general's office. Well it became warranted because Mike Fricker posted on the az bbb website that he would not work on my 30 yr. solar lease agreement as of 2/22/12.
I actually cannot believe that Mike Fricker actually had the audacity to post that on the az bbb website in a response to my ongoing negative customer reviews. I replied back that I cannot believe that the bbb will allow the co. to keep it's A rating will his intent to default on the contract. I think the co. will regret that big time & all the other things I will do because I refuse to be bullied into submission.
2) File any valid consumer complaints with the az attorney general's office. It is very effective & it costs nothing. It also only takes a couple of mins. to file online. Also if you continue to have other things that are a valid complaint keep filing complaints with the ag's office. They work very hard so consumers are not scammed by co's.
3.) File with az registar of contractors which I intend on doing if it is necessary & will do all the above for 20 yr. on my solar lease contract that Mike Fricker is trying to breach by his intent to write up papers for me to sign & he wants me to send back the papers & then he would give me my money back. He will find out I will NEVER give up to & including the entire 20 yr. solar lease agreement lease I contracted with the co. with.
I think because I am a woman he probaly thinks he can bully me into submission but that will never happen & that I guarantee because this co. needs to be accountable for it's actions & not to offer or enter into contracts they think they do not have to fullfill just because they don't want to.
JM
Arizona,United States of America
Another Option
#6Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 07, 2011
Go to Dave Cherry or another one of those "TV News On Your Side" consumer advocacy groups and report your problems to them. Often the spectacle of a public shaming is enough to drive these companies into action, like cockroaches they thrive in the shadows, expose them for all the world to see and they're forced into action. Dave Cherry is definitely the guy I would try to connect with, he's dealt with scam-ish solar companies in the news previously.
Phil
Phoenix,Arizona,
United States of America
just using this forum to warn others
#6Author of original report
Wed, August 31, 2011
BBB is still showing them with an A+ rating even though the timeframe for the business to respond to my last complaint expired almost a month ago; thanks for the suggestions; I did file a complaint with ROC last week and got the response from them yesterday; Salt River has 10 days to respond; it's my understanding there is some recourse under the company's bond with ROC depending on how it works out; lawsuit would be next step; just trying to explore my alternatives one-at-a-time and as inexpensively as possible; if anyone knows a really mean attorney, let me know;
JM
Arizona,United States of America
Sue Salt River? Get in line.
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, August 31, 2011
Their manufacturer has already beaten you to the punch and is currently suing them for about $4 million. Google "Salt River Sunpower" and you'll see. The court documents make for very fascinating reading on the type of nonsense this company is accused of pulling.
Larry
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Why are you screwing around?
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sun, August 28, 2011
You have at least two inexpensive legal remedies.
First, you can file a complaint with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. There is no cost to you. The company is required to have a contractor's license and they had to post a bond, so if the ROC orders restitution there is money to cover it.
Second, you can file a civil suit in justice court. The costs are minimal and you should be able to get a judgment against the contractor. You can file a civil suit regardless of what action the ROC takes.
A more expensive but more satisfying remedy is to seek a court order requiring the contractor to perform. This requires going to Superior Court and you will do best if you have an attorney. Because this is a contract dispute, all of your expenses will be paid by the losing party (the contractor). Not only will you end up with the system you contracted for but the contractor faces the possibility of jail time if he fails to perform as ordered. Kind of fun to watch them squirm when the judge reams them a new one.