I hired the Aloha Termite Company of Wahiawa, HI to do ground spraying and treatment for termites on my property in Pearl City, HI in Nov. 2009. The home was almost completely vacant except for a few items because I had moved out. I was told by the field representative that (although I had given them a key), the workers would not enter the home. I was intending to have the home tented soon after the ground spraying.
The crew (2 men) who did the ground spraying arrived at around 7:30 a.m. I was not notified so I called the company and was told that the job was done. I arrived at the property at around noon and noticed that the bolt lock on the door was unlocked. I also noticed that the speakers from the TV stand were dismantled and missing.
I called the company to tell them that the speakers were missing. Instead of apologizing, they insisted that I speak to the worker who did the job. I was hesitant to speak to him because of the suspected robbery but eventually spoke to him. He said that he saw the speakers when he was on the job. He said to me, "You are lucky I never steal your ladder!" He never apologized. He denied stealing my speakers.
I called the police to file a report. I also spent $350 to have all the locks on the doors changed. Then I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii. The owner stands by his employee whom he says that he trusts. The owner never apologized to me for the inconvenience and theft. He actually said that I should apologize to him, saying that I packed the speakers and will later discover them in my boxes. The speakers were mounted on two speaker stands. I left them, a ladder, and a few items to pick up later. The speakers were never packed away in boxes.
What is disappointing to me is that the owners of this company are my neighbors. I hired them in good faith. It is good business practice to treat your customers with respect. I paid my bill in full and am still waiting for an apology. I still have my TV stands, but the speakers are missing.
Bman
Philadelphia,#2Consumer Comment
Sun, August 08, 2010
There can be no betrayal without trust. Keep family, friends, and neighbors just that - do no ever hire them. Especially if they are desperate.
Anonymous
Longwood,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, August 06, 2010
This is a classic case of doing business with someone you know and not keeping transactions at arm's length. Never do any business with a friend, neighbor or a relative. You will always get burned and be reluctant to sue or file criminal charges because of your close relationship. Always, always, always be home when any contractor comes to your house to perform a service and do not let them know when you are not there. Tell them that someone is always home!
I would count this worker's statement as an "admission" and sue your neighbor in small claims court.
Never leave any items in a deserted house. Thieves think it is "open season" during a move out.