- Report: #380094
Complaint Review: Neptune Society - Burbank California
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Neptune Society
3500 West Olive Burbank, 91423 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-637-8863
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
Neptune Society, Marco Markin CEO Pre-Planned Cremation Contract Scam. Creative contracts that mislead the consumer. You are left stranded at the most upsetting and vulnerable time of your life! Home Offices Burbank, California Used Pompano Beach, Florida Location California
*Consumer Comment: Our experience with Neptune Society
*Consumer Comment: Bad Service and Attitude
*UPDATE Employee: POSTING IS DEFAMATORY AND FALSE, A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY.
*Author of original report: Response and Clarification Regarding my Original Post
*Author of original report: RETRACTION to Misleading heading on blog posting #380094, which contains incorrect and defamatory accusations.
*Consumer Comment: Neptune Society in California
*UPDATE Employee: Sorry for the confusion
*General Comment: What a way to handle this, NS
*Consumer Comment: Grateful to Neptune Society
*General Comment: Reaction to retraction
*Consumer Comment: So Happy we chose Neptune Society!
*UPDATE Employee: Semi-retired representative for Neptune
*General Comment: The Nationwide company is called Trident in California, AND Neptune Society in SF and LA
Elizabeth's Story
The day after my Mother died, I called the Neptune Society to verify that they had picked up her body so that all the pre-planned arrangements could be put into effect.
My first question to the young lady that answered the phone was that she verify they had picked up my Mom from Memorial Hospital in Pembrooke Pines. I was passed to another young man who told me he did not know. When I told him he needed to find out, he said something about just getting to the office. He then placed me on hold. When he returned to the phone he told me that he had my mother's file in his hand, and, yes, they had picked up Mom yesterday at 2:30 PM.
I told him that was not possible because Mom died at 4:30 PM. Without a hint of empathy for my situation, he insisted that, in the file, it said she was picked up at 2:30 PM. I suggested that perhaps he had the wrong file. He fumbled around for a moment, and then said he was reading a note in the file of a phone call from the hospital at 5:30 PM. He still could not give me the information that I was asking for.
I then asked about the Chapel. The young man on the phone said, What Chapel.
Two years prior to this day, a salesman came to my parent's house. My parents, like so many elderly people, decided that it was time to make arrangements for their passing. They decided to be cremated, and liked the idea of their ashes going to sea. A commercial for the Neptune Society caught their eye.
Of course, what my parents were really looking for was peace of mind. They both wanted to know that, when that difficult day came, everything would be taken care of.
They were assured that all would go smoothly. Instead, it was a mess, and not one person that we came into contact with at the Neptune Society office showed an ounce of regret.
The young man on the phone told me that he would really need to call me back. When I hung up the phone I had to share with my grieving father that we did not know where Mom was, and that it looked as if we needed to start finding and planning where we would have her Memorial service.
My father decided to call the Neptune Society sales man that had come to their house two years prior. The sales man was apologetic to our circumstances, and said he would make a few phone calls, and call us right back. When he called back, he said that everything was fine, that they had Mom, and that yes, there was a room that we could use for the memorial service. The sales man suggested that we drive to the location, and look at it because it was small.
My sister and I drove my father to the Neptune Society to see the Chapel. When we arrived a girl behind the desk began to usher us into a room, and we told her that we were there to see the Chapel. She turned and said, We don't have anything to do with that, we do not have a chapel here. Confused, we told her what the sales man had told us, and that the chapel was a part of my parent's contract. After debating this for a moment, she said that they did do that in the past, but do not do it any more. She seemed to have an epiphany when we mentioned it being in our contract, and said that they did have a room. She then took us to a room that was obviously a conference room with a large conference table and about ten chairs. She told us that this was their Chapel Room.
We were then placed in a room to meet with the young man that I spoke with on the phone. He entered very matter of fact to explain the paperwork that needed to be filled out for the permits to cremate my Mom's body. I interrupted and asked if he could please suggest a Chapel where we could arrange my Mother's Memorial service. He said that they did not handle any of that, and he did not know of any.
He told my father that they would place a small obituary in the paper for my Mom. My father filled out, signed all the necessary papers, and we left.
For the remainder of that day, the day after my mother's battle with cancer ended, we were left scrambling to find an appropriate place to hold a memorial service. During the brief time that we spent at the Neptune Society's office we were told that Mom's remains were in Lake Worth where the Neptune Society has a crematory. It was then explained to us that they were trying to open a facility locally, but that they had not obtained the permits yet. All of this information was overwhelming to us all, and did not help us in any way.
Also during that Neptune visit, we were subjected to over hearing a women in the back office loudly complaining about customers that were calling on the phone.
We were fortunate to find a Chapel through my Mother's wonderful Hospice group. My father ended up paying an additional $600.00 so that my Mom would have the memorial, that he thought, was already arranged.
Later that day, we also found out that even with a pre-planned contract, we could have changed the arrangements the day after my Mom passed.
My parents trusted what they were told by the Neptune Society. I wonder how many other elderly people are sitting on a contract with this company and will ultimately have the horrible experience that we had. My parents purchased the contract two years before my Mother passed, never thinking that what they were told was not the entire truth. Instead, we were placed in a horrible situation at the worst and most vulnerable time of our lives.
My hope is that this information will get out, and that no other family will be placed in the same position that we were. This company should be investigated. The Neptune Society's practices are negligent, and in my opinion, obscene. The Package my parents purchased included a series of services and items. People need to know that what we actually received through that contract was only the cremation. We were told that my Mom's ashes would be put to sea, and that my father would receive a plaque stating her name, and the location where her ashes were dropped. Nothing else in the contract was given, no urn, and no Chapel for a memorial service. We discovered small print in the contract that stated that a Chapel is only provided where available; my parents were told that it was available in Pompano. The urn for my Mother's ashes was quoted for $300.00 on the contract. Because we were not taking possession of her ashes, we were told that there was no need for an urn, and that her ashes would be taken to sea in a plastic container. My sister asked why my father would be paying for the $300.00 urn. We were told that it is simply part of the package. The total package for my mother was over $1800.00. Please see articles below for suits pending against Neptune Society. They are bending the laws that have been put into place to protect the consumer.
It is so important to know the facts before the loss of a loved one. I learned through this experience that it is best to find a reputable funeral home and get the answers from them. A reputable funeral home can help you escape the neglectful practices of the Neptune Society. They can provide the same services, and for less money. They can handle all of the changes for you.
If my family would have known this the morning after my Mom died, we would have been able to place all the plans and arrangements in the capable hands of the funeral home that hospice suggested with a simple phone call. We would have avoided all the pain and confusion that the Neptune Society placed on us by their shabby, and unprofessional actions. We were under the wrong impression that my father had no choice because of his contract.
My mother received a beautiful memorial service in Fort Lauderdale. At one point during the service, a friend of my Mom's handed me the obituary notice that the Neptune Society placed for my Mom. Through all of the tumult over the past few days, I had forgotten about it. I unfolded the small newspaper to read the obituary. It said:
Pearson-Weingarten Elizabeth, 67, of Sunrise, FL passed away on October 5, 2008.
Neptune Society Cremation.
I realized after looking through the obituaries that it is customary for the funeral homes to attach their name to the obituary. I just couldn't help feeling that this was the last, in a series of wrongs, inflicted on my family. That my mother would leave this world advertising a company that so failed her is grotesque.
Please tell this story! It is so important!
See:
Examiner.com Neptune Society to Face Charges
Funerals.org/newsandalerts Neptune Legal Scams
G. xxxxxx
Bessemer, Alabama
U.S.A.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
The day after my Mother died, I called the Neptune Society to verify that they had picked up her body so that all the pre-planned arrangements could be put into effect.
My first question to the young lady that answered the phone was that she verify they had picked up my Mom from Memorial Hospital in Pembrooke Pines. I was passed to another young man who told me he did not know. When I told him he needed to find out, he said something about just getting to the office. He then placed me on hold. When he returned to the phone he told me that he had my mother's file in his hand, and, yes, they had picked up Mom yesterday at 2:30 PM.
I told him that was not possible because Mom died at 4:30 PM. Without a hint of empathy for my situation, he insisted that, in the file, it said she was picked up at 2:30 PM. I suggested that perhaps he had the wrong file. He fumbled around for a moment, and then said he was reading a note in the file of a phone call from the hospital at 5:30 PM. He still could not give me the information that I was asking for.
I then asked about the Chapel. The young man on the phone said, What Chapel.
Two years prior to this day, a salesman came to my parent's house. My parents, like so many elderly people, decided that it was time to make arrangements for their passing. They decided to be cremated, and liked the idea of their ashes going to sea. A commercial for the Neptune Society caught their eye.
Of course, what my parents were really looking for was peace of mind. They both wanted to know that, when that difficult day came, everything would be taken care of.
They were assured that all would go smoothly. Instead, it was a mess, and not one person that we came into contact with at the Neptune Society office showed an ounce of regret.
The young man on the phone told me that he would really need to call me back. When I hung up the phone I had to share with my grieving father that we did not know where Mom was, and that it looked as if we needed to start finding and planning where we would have her Memorial service.
My father decided to call the Neptune Society sales man that had come to their house two years prior. The sales man was apologetic to our circumstances, and said he would make a few phone calls, and call us right back. When he called back, he said that everything was fine, that they had Mom, and that yes, there was a room that we could use for the memorial service. The sales man suggested that we drive to the location, and look at it because it was small.
My sister and I drove my father to the Neptune Society to see the Chapel. When we arrived a girl behind the desk began to usher us into a room, and we told her that we were there to see the Chapel. She turned and said, We don't have anything to do with that, we do not have a chapel here. Confused, we told her what the sales man had told us, and that the chapel was a part of my parent's contract. After debating this for a moment, she said that they did do that in the past, but do not do it any more. She seemed to have an epiphany when we mentioned it being in our contract, and said that they did have a room. She then took us to a room that was obviously a conference room with a large conference table and about ten chairs. She told us that this was their Chapel Room.
We were then placed in a room to meet with the young man that I spoke with on the phone. He entered very matter of fact to explain the paperwork that needed to be filled out for the permits to cremate my Mom's body. I interrupted and asked if he could please suggest a Chapel where we could arrange my Mother's Memorial service. He said that they did not handle any of that, and he did not know of any.
He told my father that they would place a small obituary in the paper for my Mom. My father filled out, signed all the necessary papers, and we left.
For the remainder of that day, the day after my mother's battle with cancer ended, we were left scrambling to find an appropriate place to hold a memorial service. During the brief time that we spent at the Neptune Society's office we were told that Mom's remains were in Lake Worth where the Neptune Society has a crematory. It was then explained to us that they were trying to open a facility locally, but that they had not obtained the permits yet. All of this information was overwhelming to us all, and did not help us in any way.
Also during that Neptune visit, we were subjected to over hearing a women in the back office loudly complaining about customers that were calling on the phone.
We were fortunate to find a Chapel through my Mother's wonderful Hospice group. My father ended up paying an additional $600.00 so that my Mom would have the memorial, that he thought, was already arranged.
Later that day, we also found out that even with a pre-planned contract, we could have changed the arrangements the day after my Mom passed.
My parents trusted what they were told by the Neptune Society. I wonder how many other elderly people are sitting on a contract with this company and will ultimately have the horrible experience that we had. My parents purchased the contract two years before my Mother passed, never thinking that what they were told was not the entire truth. Instead, we were placed in a horrible situation at the worst and most vulnerable time of our lives.
My hope is that this information will get out, and that no other family will be placed in the same position that we were. This company should be investigated. The Neptune Society's practices are negligent, and in my opinion, obscene. The Package my parents purchased included a series of services and items. People need to know that what we actually received through that contract was only the cremation. We were told that my Mom's ashes would be put to sea, and that my father would receive a plaque stating her name, and the location where her ashes were dropped. Nothing else in the contract was given, no urn, and no Chapel for a memorial service. We discovered small print in the contract that stated that a Chapel is only provided where available; my parents were told that it was available in Pompano. The urn for my Mother's ashes was quoted for $300.00 on the contract. Because we were not taking possession of her ashes, we were told that there was no need for an urn, and that her ashes would be taken to sea in a plastic container. My sister asked why my father would be paying for the $300.00 urn. We were told that it is simply part of the package. The total package for my mother was over $1800.00. Please see articles below for suits pending against Neptune Society. They are bending the laws that have been put into place to protect the consumer.
It is so important to know the facts before the loss of a loved one. I learned through this experience that it is best to find a reputable funeral home and get the answers from them. A reputable funeral home can help you escape the neglectful practices of the Neptune Society. They can provide the same services, and for less money. They can handle all of the changes for you.
If my family would have known this the morning after my Mom died, we would have been able to place all the plans and arrangements in the capable hands of the funeral home that hospice suggested with a simple phone call. We would have avoided all the pain and confusion that the Neptune Society placed on us by their shabby, and unprofessional actions. We were under the wrong impression that my father had no choice because of his contract.
My mother received a beautiful memorial service in Fort Lauderdale. At one point during the service, a friend of my Mom's handed me the obituary notice that the Neptune Society placed for my Mom. Through all of the tumult over the past few days, I had forgotten about it. I unfolded the small newspaper to read the obituary. It said:
Pearson-Weingarten Elizabeth, 67, of Sunrise, FL passed away on October 5, 2008.
Neptune Society Cremation.
I realized after looking through the obituaries that it is customary for the funeral homes to attach their name to the obituary. I just couldn't help feeling that this was the last, in a series of wrongs, inflicted on my family. That my mother would leave this world advertising a company that so failed her is grotesque.
Please tell this story! It is so important!
See:
Examiner.com Neptune Society to Face Charges
Funerals.org/newsandalerts Neptune Legal Scams
G. xxxxxx
Bessemer, Alabama
U.S.A.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
13 Updates & Rebuttals
George
San Francisco,California,
United States
The Nationwide company is called Trident in California, AND Neptune Society in SF and LA
#2General Comment
Sat, April 21, 2018
Yes, The Nationwide company is called Trident in California, but Service Corp also bought two Calif Neptune Societies: of Northern Calif and of Los Angles.
Other Neptune Societies in CA are independent, and would not share the infamous history of Service Corp in the funeral industry, for better or for worse.
denjoe81
Nashville,Tennessee,
Semi-retired representative for Neptune
#3UPDATE Employee
Fri, January 23, 2015
First I am 63 years young and have been a successful entrepreneur and a not so successful entrepreneur in my life. The times I have been unsuccessful I fully attribute to my conscience because I did not believe in the product/service I represented. Now in (never gonna' retire) semi-retirement I am enjoying life representing a very reputable company that does exactly what they say (and print in the presentation material and contractual documents signed by the new member/s). I have been a representative for a little over 1 year and I don't really need the money especially since the commissions are minimal. I searched several outside sales positions in the Middle Tn/North Ala area and found that 90% require straight out lying to people. That practice will get you fired at Neptune. I love this company and having come from a background in healthcare where people are numbers and funeral directors "lay in wait" (to quote a member I signed who was retired after 30 years in the funeral industry "Get em' when they're cryin'") I greatly enjoy through "Preneeds" putting a wall between the loved ones left behind, and the "At needs" funeral home seeking as much monetary gain as possible.
Remember, No matter what you buy usually it is a human being trying to sell it to you. There are crooks in this world; Neptune will not tolerate them but your best defense, no matter what the product/service is, READ THE CONTRACT!
Go online and look at the ratio of ripoff reports of companies in all types of business then come back and read the ratio of pros to cons with Neptune. The above complaint in California happened because the representative allegedly said that a memorial service was included. Nowhere in any of Neptune's printed does it say "memorial service included".
Joe Horn, Nashville, Tn
Sherylann
Illinois,So Happy we chose Neptune Society!
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, December 11, 2014
When my unclue signed up for Neptune society, he asked me to attend the meeting. He passed approximately 7 months later. I get so upset when I see these one-sided complaints about companies. Neptune society did everything they promised which was to take my uncle into their care, cremate him, file all the paperwork, and return the cremains to us. Everything was very easy and it took a HUGE burned off my Aunt and the rest of the family. It was MADE VERY CLEAR to us that a memorial service was not included. This is a direct cremation company and not a funeral home. Once you have your loved ones ashes, you can have your own memorial service or lunch or church service - whatever you'd like. But don't go out there blasting a company for information that you misheard or only heard what you wanted to hear. This is a great company and I highly recommend their services.
Anonymous
Tracy,California,
Reaction to retraction
#5General Comment
Thu, December 19, 2013
My first impression when I read this retraction was that it had been drafted by a lawyer. For one thing, the language does not match that of the original report. Given everything else I've read here, I have to wonder if the retraction was provided to Mrs. Pearson-Weingarten by "someone" as a condition for not suing her.
Tonya
Savannah,Georgia,
Grateful to Neptune Society
#6Consumer Comment
Sat, August 31, 2013
I live in Georgia, my family lived in Florida.
The Neptune Society, Pompano Beach, Florida- has handled my maternal Grandmother, my Father in 2011, and now my Mother, who has just passed August 18, 2013. Dad and Mom had all their affairs in place over 40 years ago through Neptune Society.
There were no hidden fees, and everything including paperwork were explained over the phone before being sent in a timely manner for my final review and signature.
I am now looking into the peace of mind of having my own affairs handled by the Neptune Society so that my daughter will not have to shoulder the burden of expenses.
Your kind and joyful memories have been tainted by the treatment you received.
wish you had received the compasionate and patient customer service that I had.
General Laderdale
What a way to handle this, NS
#7General Comment
Tue, March 26, 2013
I just wanted to say two things to Neptune Society regarding their rebuttal to this person's carefully described situation:
1) I used your service when my father died, and having done so I can back up the original poster's description of their experience as fact (mine was very similar, down to the price tag)
2) Having your "corporate counsel" write a threatening, but ultimately meaningless, rebuttal to someone's heartfelt warning to other potential victims leaves you looking not only incompetent, but heartless and generally evil
Shame on you for every aspect of your misleading, predatory corporate ethos.
Christine
Illinois,United States of America
Sorry for the confusion
#8UPDATE Employee
Fri, December 02, 2011
I am an employee for this company. When I first heard of their services and looked into it, I was really amazed at what the company offers to its clients. The economy is so hard on us all, our parents and grandparents want to make sure their wishes are taken care of and it is not a burden to the family. The price is amazing; we are a DIRECT CREMATION SERVICE. We do offer a transportation package, this is especially good for people who have children all over the country or happen to vacation alot; and honestly do any of us know when we are going to pass? No.. so this helps everyone.. We do not offer any Chapel facilities at all, this is transportation, cremation, and disposition of your cremains. If your family wants a visitation or memorialization that is seperate and would be an expense to the family. Some people do not want any visitation or memorial in their honor, so this is exactly what they are looking for..
Again I am sorry that someone misrepresented this to your mom and dad, but after we sit with your family we give them a copy of everything that is included. Also some children may want to be with their parents during this decision, BUT... remember it is their wishes, not what you want for them. So just listen and ask questions, but the reason our clients pre-plan is to not have the arguments with their family, we want your family to stay friends after you have passed and so many times all of us have gone to a funeral, etc, and have seen how families aren't speaking because everyone disagrees..
Concerned person
Hudson,Florida,
United States of America
Neptune Society in California
#9Consumer Comment
Sun, November 06, 2011
The complaints are about Neptune Society of California. This is not the Nation wide company called the Neptune Society. They are two different companies. One is Good and gives good service and the one in California is a different company. The California company is the one the complaint's are about. The Nationwide company is called Trident in California. The nationwide company has it's head quarters in Plantation Florida and has nothing to do with the California company. The nationwide company has provided good service to me and several people I know.
G. maxner
Bessemer,Alabama,
U.S.A.
RETRACTION to Misleading heading on blog posting #380094, which contains incorrect and defamatory accusations.
#10Author of original report
Thu, November 04, 2010
On October 10, 2008, I posted an anonymous blog entry to this site. At the time I posted the anonymous blog posting, I was upset and made accusations that I now know to be untrue and defamatory. I now realize that I am responsible for exacerbating this situation by my decision to originally post the entry anonymously to conceal my true identity.
In my posting I erroneously provided information and/or posted a heading that wrongfully implies that Marco Markin was the current CEO of the Neptune Society and that they were running a contract scam to mislead customers. THOSE COMMENTS AND IMPLICATIONS ARE INCORRECT AND DEFAMATORY.
Unfortunately, despite the falsity of these comments, Ripoff Reports has a policy against the removal of any posting, even at my request. As such I would like to issue an expressed RETRACTION and FORMAL APOLOGY for any harm or consequence this may have caused for Mr. Markin or any of his personal and/or business contacts.
The fact is, I have no personal animosity toward Mr. Markin or his Counsel. I now know that Mr. Markin stepped down as the company CEO three (3) years prior to my father ever entering into a contract with the Neptune Society.
I now know the CEO at the time my father contracted with Neptune Society was Jerry Norman (who is the current CEO of Smart Cremation.)
I realize that the Funeral Industry is a highly regulated industry and all pre-need contract service forms require approval by State Regulators. As such, I was out of line to imply that Neptune Society was running a contract scam to mislead customers.
While I was upset on how my mothers case was handled by the local office, I personally was never in contractual privity with the Neptune Society, thus they did not have my contact information which would have enabled them to respond to my concerns in a more timely manner.
I would note that when notified of my familys complaints, the Neptune Society Corporate Office did respond to my Fathers concerns, by reimbursing some of his expenses. Neptune Society Corporate further apologized for the misunderstandings and customer service issues with the personnel in the field office.
I trust this retraction and clarification resolves any misunderstandings created by my posting.
Respectfully,
Gabrielle S. Maxner, Bessemer, AL
G. maxner
Bessemer,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Response and Clarification Regarding my Original Post
#11Author of original report
Wed, October 20, 2010
One year ago I was contacted by someone associated with Marco Markin, and the Neptune Society regarding this blog post. I explained at that time that my intention in writing the post was simply to relay the experience that we had with this company. I explained to that person that the story that I had written was, in fact, true, and that I had not named any persons in that post. Now, on the two year anniversary of my mothers death, I am apparently being sought out once again regarding this post. Because of this recent contact, and the additional posts to this blog, I have been alerted to the last post made by Mr. Zavadil.
After further investigation regarding the caption at the top of the post:
The caption at the top of the post was apparently pieced together with information that I entered and believed to be true while filling out a form which would allow me to post the blog. I did not write the headline as part of my blog, and never expected Mr. Markins name to appear as part of the blog. I certainly have no malice towards Mr. Markin, and regret that he was mentioned in the blog. Before posting this blog, I searched on-line for an executive of the Neptune Society because I wanted to send a personal message to be sure that an executive knew the circumstances surrounding our experience; here is the message that I sent to an e-mail address that I found for Mr. Markin at that time:
Dear Mr. Markin:
Is it possible that your Pompano, Florida office is poorly managed? This thought did enter my mind during our horrible ordeal this past week. If after reading my story, (which has been forwarded to numerous news agencies), you agree, perhaps steps can be taken to correct the problem.
I am not in the cremation business, however, I am a professional, and could not help but recognize the many ways our situation could have been better handled.
After you read my Mother's story, perhaps you could ask yourself these questions:
How many remains did the Pompano office pick up on Sunday, October 5th?
How difficult would it have been to have a list for the secretary of those families on Monday morning so that when the calls started coming in to verify the where-abouts of loved ones, she could have been reassuring?
How many of your customers purchased services over the last two years in the Pompano, Florida area were told that they would have a Memorial Chapel available to them?
Would it not be a moral obligation on Neptune Society's part to notify those customers of a fundamental change in the service provided when, and if a Chapel were no longer available?
Would it be possible for a Neptune Society employee to be more helpful with names and or places that would be able to provide a Chapel in the immediate area....a simple courtesy? I will attach my Mother's story in a separate e-mail.
My motive in sending the e-mail was to alert the company that their offices in Fort Lauderdale might need some direction in how they handle clients. My assumption was that an executive of the company would be concerned by what we had experienced, and hopefully make sure that it did not happen to anyone else. As Mr. Zavadil points out, Mr. Markin was no longer the CEO of the Neptune Society at the time of my post, but it was in fact, Jerry Norman. I must say, that during my search, Mr. Normans name never appeared to me. If it had, I would have sent my personal note to Mr. Norman. Mr. Markin was the CEO of Neptune Society at one time, and in my search, that is the information that I found. My intention was never to attach any persons to my post. I actually believed, after seeing the post later, that the caption above my story was added by someone from the site. The way that information is pieced together in the caption is unfortunate, and the words are placed in an order that was not chosen by me.
Regarding the word Scam:
An inappropriate word used in a time of distress. I would also like to clarify that I did not use the word scam in the same sentence with Mr. Markins name at the time I filled out the blog forms. This blog was written five days after my mothers death, and just days after my exhausting horrible experience with the Fort Lauderdale branch of this company. A more appropriate description of the contract, and promises made by the sales person that sold this policy to my parents would probably be misleading. It is possible that my parents misunderstood, however, I dont think so given the fact that the Neptune Society saw fit to send my father a check to reimburse him for some of the additional costs he incurred in finding a chapel for my mothers memorial service at the last minute.
All this said, I am saddened that the Neptune Society feels it is necessary to pursue me and my family once again regarding this experience; one we so much want to leave behind us. I have never posted anything more regarding this experience since that day two years ago until today, and only today because I have once again been thrust into the situation. Mr. Zavadil, I am not difficult to find, I would suggest that you speak to whomever it was that called me at my place of work last year; Im sure its in a file somewhere in someones office. My father has been through more than he can bear with this situation, as we all have, and I would appreciate your not contacting him; please leave him in peace.
Legal Counsel
Plantation,Florida,
United States of America
POSTING IS DEFAMATORY AND FALSE, A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY.
#12UPDATE Employee
Tue, October 19, 2010
THE ABOVE BLOG REPORT #380094 IS INACCURATE, UNTRUE, FALSE AND DEFAMATORY. A FEDERAL DEFAMATION SUIT HAS BEEN FILED.
To Whom it May Concern: Please be advised that a 10 page , multi-count, (Cyber Libel) Defamation and Commercial Disparagement Lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, FT. LAUDERDALE DIVISION; CASE NUMBER 0:10-cv-62001-WPD styled: Marco Markin and Neptune Society, Inc. vs. Jane Doe.
A copy of the pleadings can be obtained by making a request to the Court Clerk, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 299 East Broward Blvd., Room 108, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, (954) 769-5400.
In this lawsuit, the Plaintiffs are seeking (among other things) significant compensatory and punitive damages for Defamation / Defamation Per Se and Commercial Disparagement arising out of false and malicious postings that have appeared on the Ripoffreports.com website.
All Readers should be aware and take notice that THE RIGHT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS IS NOT ABSOLUTE. THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOES NOT PROTECT DEFAMATORY SPEECH. We are in the process of identifying the person or persons who have made these Defamatory and false postings. In particular we will be serving a subpoena on Ripoffreports.com seeking certain documents, electronically stored information, and associated metadata.
The CEO at the time the Contract was entered into was NOT as represented in the Defamatory Posting, but was in fact, JERRY NORMAN who is currently the CEO of SMART CREMATION.
The Pre-Need Funeral Industry is a highly regulated and policed industry with copious State Laws and/or Administrative Rules and Regulations. Contrary to the false and defamatory statements in the Blog the preneed funeral service contracts used were not part of a scam or misleading. In fact, the State of Florida requires pre-approval by the State Regulatory Authorities of Preneed contracts and had in fact the contracts at issue had been pre-approved by the Regulatory Authorities for use in the State of Florida.
It is our intent to file a discovery Subpoena Duces Tecum with Ripoff Reports.Com to obtain information seeking to identify the poster of this false and defamatory blog posting. We are required to advise you that if you are a party in interest and have any objections to this case or our efforts to subpoena this information, objections must be served on Counsel for the Plaintiff at 1250 S. Pine Island Rd., Suite 500, Plantation, FL 33324 and filed with the Court by 4:30 p.m. EST, November 18, 2010. If objections are filed, and a demand is made, a hearing will be set. If no timely objections are made by that time, any errors and objections will be waived.
To those persons or companies who have made these False and Defamatory postings, I strongly encourage you to cease and desist your activities at once. Please also be advised that the Plaintiffs intend to pursue the individual(s) and or any individual or company that as aided in the making of these false and defamatory postings to the fullest extent of the law.
IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE RETRACTION AND SETTLEMENT OF THIS MATTER, SO AS TO AVOID PROTRACTED AND COSTLY LITIGATION AND LIABILITY, I STRONGLY INVITE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO PROMPTLY CONTACT ME FORTHWITH SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS THE AMICABLE RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER.
Thank you for your attention.
Dan Zavadil, Esq. In House Counsel to Neptune Society, Inc. 1250 S. Pine Island Rd., Suite 500 Plantation, FL 33324 [email protected] (954) 556-9451 Ph# (954) 828-9901 Fax#
deborah
United States of AmericaBad Service and Attitude
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, September 27, 2010
My experience is similar to Elizabeth's story.
My husband and I purchased the pre-need package plan when we discovered he had Stage IV Lung Cancer. Unfortunately, he passed away within two months of his diagnosis. The transport service took his body away and I thought everything would be taken care of asap. Instead, it took Neptune 4 days to call me just to confirm the package that my husband bought. I received a statement 3 days later (a week after my husband passed) stating that the cremation would not proceed unless the full balance was paid (we had opted for the instalment payment). Why didn't she say this over the phone? This could have been handled over the phone without the additional delay. I call the following Monday and get transferred from office to office before I get the right person. I was then told I should receive the remains the following week (2nd week). The week goes by and no phone call. I call the following Monday and I am told that the Doctor made a mistake with the licence number on the death certificate. So now I am told I would receive the remains by the end of the week (3rd week). The 3rd week goes by and no remains and no phone call. I call again Monday and now I am told now I have to drive about 45 minutes to their facility to collect the ashes myself or pay an additional $80/- for the urn to be sent back to me. I call the sales person, she says this is not right. She tries to deal with it internally but calls back and says they can send it by postal mail. By now, I have set the date for the scattering of the ashes and memorial ( about a month after my husband's death) and don't trust that they will reach me in time, considering the past history. The sales person then offers to personally collect and deliver it to me 4 weekends after Neptune took possession of the body. All throughout this, the attitude of every single person I speak to at Neptune, except for the sales person is cold, uncaring and even rude. I advise everyone considering purchasing anything from Neptune Society to research and look for a local funeral home that will handle cremations. It will probably cost 3 times less than what Neptune charges. Just make sure to ask what is included or not in the package. No one who has just lost a loved one needs to go through the additional hassle of tracking down their loved one's body, chasing Neptune Society, arguing about what was purchased or not and least of all the cold and heartless attitude.
OurFamily
Ocala,Florida,
USA
Our experience with Neptune Society
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, October 16, 2009
In 2002, my mother-in-law and her sister (both lived with us) contracted with the Neptune Society (located in Palm Harbor, FL) to transport their deceased bodies, cremate them, and return the ashes to us.
My mother-in-law died on 1/16/04 and her sister died on 5/28/04. In each case, after 1 phone call to the number we were told to call at the time of their death, the Neptune Society did exactly as their contracts said they would do. They also advised us that we could pay a news service to publish our composed obituaries or they would, for no charge, publish a death notice in our local newspaper.
Based upon our experiences, I am glad that my wife and I also contracted with Neptune Society to handle our cremation. The salesperson made no promises of a "Chapel" and we requested none. The sales person made it clear that we should make all other arrangements for services if we so desired and, that if we so wished, the Neptune Society would "spread our ashes on the Sea" at no charge to us.
I also went to the site "Examiner.com" and read the report titled "Neptune Society To Face Charges" . In the report, a Commission of the Colorado State Government was considering charges that the Neptune Society in Colorado was trying to create a scam whereby they would not have to place 75% of their contracted accounts in "Trust" and could, instead, keep and use 100% of the accounts (I think they said 100%) money.
That indicates to me the normal "hype" that the Media puts on blah stories just to get readers interest. I am sorry that "Elizabeth" had all of the unfortunate circumstances in the case of her mother's death, and I think much of that was due to an insincere salesman who was ready to do anything to sell a contract so that they could make a living.
If it sounds too good to be true.... it may not be totally the same as it sounds. Check with Ripoff Report, local Better Business Agencies, or other sources before you believe everything you hear.
