Sherman Industry, Inc. used a high-pressure sales pitch to secure a deposit of $16,884 to install a geothermal system. When health concerns necessitated canceling the contract, Sherman agreed to a refund, but has yet to return the money, a year later.
In December of 2012, Sherman Industry, Inc. was contacted in regards to a geothermal heating and air conditioning system. At the time, Sherman was being used by another family member for a similar type of system. The family members would eventually experience their own nightmare scenario with Sherman industry with their yard being torn up, heavy machinery hitting the house and lies being told throughout the process. They too, had to file complaints and seek the help of the Better Business Bureau and Consumers Affairs.
My experience never got to the point of having work performed. In December 2012, I invited Sherman Industry into my home for a presentation of their geothermal system. I was certainly interested in the potential energy savings.
Sherman gave, what I consider, a high-pressured sales pitch by insisting a lock-in down payment of $16,884 be put on my credit card. After being informed that I did not have that much available credit on my card, Sherman was almost insistent that the down payment be put on multiple cards. When I informed Sherman that I did not possess this much available credit on my cards, Sherman insisted that I write a personal check in the amount of $16,884.00 as down payment. I reluctantly agreed, with the stipulation that the check was not to be deposited until after I returned from a previously planned trip to Florida on April 30, 2013.
Due to unforeseen health issues and circumstances involving my declining health, I needed to return from my Florida trip earlier than anticipated. I arrived back in NY on April 19, 2013. It was at this time that I decided to postpone having the geothermal work done in my home. I contacted Sherman to ask that the check that they were holding be returned. It was at this time that I discovered that Sherman had deposited the check for $16,884 against my wishes. They had also altered the face of the check by adding the word “ESCROW”. I eventually received the cashed check when mail that was being held at the Post Office was delivered to my home.
Sherman Industry initially agreed to the full refund and asked that I send a signed and notarized letter stating my need to cancel. I immediately responded to fulfill this request in April of 2013. Since then, multiple letters and emails have been sent requesting the return of my deposit of $16,884, but to no avail. Sherman Industry has responded multiple times stating that the money would be sent, but each time turned out to be another untruth on their part.
I was left with no choice but to hire legal counsel. In corresponding with my attorney, Sherman Industry was now claiming to have incurred $5,388.40 in expenses, even though they were instructed not to deposit the initial check and do any work until I returned from my trip to Florida. My attorney requested proof of their expenses and was sent documents that he considered laughable. At this time, Sherman Industry was agreeing to refund the $16,884 minus the alleged expenses of $5,388.4 for a total of $11,495.60. They even sent correspondence saying when the check would arrive. This was back in early September of 2013, and I have still not received any refund.
My biggest mistake was putting my trust in a company that I believed was operating honestly and in good faith, but instead turned out to be more like a band of street thugs preying on the elderly.
As mentioned earlier, another family member had a horrible experience with Sherman Industry. I hope this review helps to warn others of the kind of company Sherman Industry truly is.
Debbie Kallas
Levittown,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, July 30, 2014
Hello. This is just disgusting!! I am NOT surprised, unfortunately. Tom Jr. is my Ex-husband who is a deadbeat and owes over $160,000.00 in child support, which is a fact. And Tom Sr. played games paying him off the books and not stating true income to help avoid Raising his children -also a fact. Among all other sorts of behavior....so sorry to all other victims of the Hancock's. Best regards, Debbie Kallas
Tom jr.
Westbury,#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, April 29, 2014
The attached email is from a customer whose job has been completed for months. He still owes over $22,000 and we are sueing him now thats why he doesnt want his name shown. Which is Richard sisson. He's the liar and scam artist. Says there are many but is in contact with only 1!?! Again, I have every document and conversation via email with them and would be more than happy to open the files and our doors to show our side of the story here. 516-655-2209 We have over a thousand satisfied very happy customers and offer their phone numbers as refrences as well. We wish Mr. Capp here no ill will and hope he is well. I am sorry if his expierience wasn't pleasant. Thank you!
Kim o
Jericho,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, April 27, 2014
Bob
Nesconset,#5Author of original report
Mon, March 17, 2014
Sherman is right, the facts are the facts. See attached for an email I received from a Sherman customer.
Tom jr.
Westbury,#6REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, March 13, 2014
The facts are the facts. I have all the documentation to back up my side of the story. I apologize to Mr. Capp for any disrespect he feels he has received. I do not wish to fight and argue over the past! We wish him only good fortune. One thing we would like all readers to only consider; "Please, remember there is always 2 sides to every story." Thank you!
Bob
Nesconset,#7Author of original report
Wed, March 12, 2014
More lies. The Better Business has not closed the case, they have not deemed it unacceptable. Anyone can go to the site and check it out. Also, all documents referencing the alleged work have not been sent to the attorneys. One excuse given by Sherman's attorney is that Google earth reports didn't copy well, so we didn't send. Amazing.
Tom jr.
Westbury,#8REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, March 11, 2014
Please contact for actual documentation. The better business bureau has closed this case and deemed it as acceptable. Conviently the person writing this is forgetting the drawings that were made on the home as well as a schedule J engineers report that takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete. I have proof this is madness. All invoices were forwarde to the attorneys. The information is correct and this just pure madness.
Bob
Nesconset,#9Author of original report
Tue, March 11, 2014
According to the first rebuttal by Sherman Industry, "one clear thing is that the contract was written and executed in december of 2013 and the client cancelled the project in May 2014 after much of the work was completed."
Sherman Industry was in my house once in December 2012, and that was for their deceptive sales pitch. They have not stepped foot in my house a single time after that, so for them to claim most of the work was done is another indication of their propensity to lie and deceive.
Prior to Sherman Industry filing this rebuttal, the only work they were claiming to have performed was an engineer's report and Google Earth prints and for which they wanted to deduct $5388.40 from my original deposit. My lawyer asked for proof of the services performed and was sent documents that he considered 'laughable". I also have a communication from Sherman Industry's lawyer dated August 2013 stating that the engineer's report and Google maps was the only work Sherman Industry was claiming to have performed. So, for Sherman Industry to now claim that they performed much of the work is additional proof of their lies.
Also, Sherman Industry said that I cancelled the project in May of 2013. I have attached a document signed by Tom Hancock Jr., the writer of the rebuttals, that acknowledges receipt of my request to cancel the contract in April 2013, a month before ANY work was suppossed to be started.
Stay away from this company. They have many complaints against them. Do your due diligence. The Better Business is after them too. I am pursuing legal action.
Tom jr.
Westbury,#10REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, March 10, 2014
Contract was signed with Customer in December of 2012 and cancelled in May 2013! I would like to ad that I am available to go through every single sentence written by this customer and not just show but PROVE that this report, letter, or write up by the customer is just packed with lies and it's simply just not right!!!
Tom Jr.
Westbury,#11REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, March 10, 2014
The letter written is not accurate at all. We have many letters sent by attorneys, the better business bureau, and department of consumer affairs that clearly show the facts pertaining to the direct allegations of this article. It is just simply way to much to write and is untrue, but one clear thing is that the contract was written and executed in december of 2013 and the client cancelled the project in May 2014 after much of the work was completed. We only requested the fair amount of the work that we had already provided and reimbursed the customer the balance. This the Attorneys of both parties, the better business bureau, and the department of consumer affairs all agreed was above and beyond reasonable.
However, we have extremely detailed files for anyone to review and/or for us to discuss with. Please, ask us about this anytime. Our number is 516-612-2454 and please ask for Tom Jr. as I am directly involved with this situation.
We take great pride in our company and thrive to make everyone happy. With over 85 years in the Industry and 4 generations of family members involved shows our committment to success and customer service. Thank you for your consideration.