Katharine
Englewood,#2Author of original report
Wed, April 30, 2008
After two letters and a phone call, the BBB finally made contact with Jim Baird, the owner of Starlight Ranch, who still owes us $97.57. In his response to them, which appeared to have been sent via email, he claimed that the deposit was returned to us on April 1, 2008. THAT'S A LIE! The check was dated April 15th, and we received it April 17th. IT WAS ONLY MAILED AFTER THE BBB'S SECOND NOTICE WAS SENT. His response also claims that since I "did not clean the stall and leave it in the same condition" as it was when I arrived, the cleaning fee is justified. However, the contract DOES NOT require that the tenant clean the stall before checking out; in fact, the contract clearly states that regular cleanings are included. IT'S A FULL CARE FACILITY! This makes cleaning the stalls the responsibility of Starlight Ranch, NOT the tenants. Of course, the fact that the so-called "cleaning fee" is exactly the amount of what he said he'd prorate, right down to the penny -- not to mention that he confirmed the amount owed in February on the phone with my husband, with no mention of any cleaning fee -- makes it pretty clear that the charge is fabricated. I believe that Jim Baird made it up to punish me for taking the case to the BBB and forcing him to return our deposit.
Katharine
Englewood,#3Author of original report
Thu, April 17, 2008
Starlight Ranch/Jim and Diana Baird returned PART of the money they owed us. Today (4/17/08) we received a check made out for $275, the amount of the deposit owed us. As for the rest, the $97.57 Jim Baird agreed to return to us if we wanted to leave early... Suddenly we have been charged a hokey $97.57 "clean fee." This fee is listed NOWHERE in the contract -- in fact, the contract clearly states that the monthly board INCLUDES regular cleanings! So how can we be charged a cleaning fee in the exact same amount as the prorated cost for the period we weren't there? On February 21, 2008, Jim Baird had confirmed on the phone with my husband that the amount to be returned to us was $372.57. He never mentioned anything about a cleaning fee then, and he never answered the letters or contested the amount when we attempted to contact him afterward. I should also mention that Starlight Ranch/Jim Baird only returned the $275 AFTER we filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and AFTER the BBB contacted them TWICE about it.
Katharine
Englewood,#4Author of original report
Thu, April 17, 2008
Starlight Ranch/Jim and Diana Baird returned PART of the money they owed us. Today (4/17/08) we received a check made out for $275, the amount of the deposit owed us. As for the rest, the $97.57 Jim Baird agreed to return to us if we wanted to leave early... Suddenly we have been charged a hokey $97.57 "clean fee." This fee is listed NOWHERE in the contract -- in fact, the contract clearly states that the monthly board INCLUDES regular cleanings! So how can we be charged a cleaning fee in the exact same amount as the prorated cost for the period we weren't there? On February 21, 2008, Jim Baird had confirmed on the phone with my husband that the amount to be returned to us was $372.57. He never mentioned anything about a cleaning fee then, and he never answered the letters or contested the amount when we attempted to contact him afterward. I should also mention that Starlight Ranch/Jim Baird only returned the $275 AFTER we filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and AFTER the BBB contacted them TWICE about it.
Katharine
Englewood,#5Author of original report
Thu, April 17, 2008
Starlight Ranch/Jim and Diana Baird returned PART of the money they owed us. Today (4/17/08) we received a check made out for $275, the amount of the deposit owed us. As for the rest, the $97.57 Jim Baird agreed to return to us if we wanted to leave early... Suddenly we have been charged a hokey $97.57 "clean fee." This fee is listed NOWHERE in the contract -- in fact, the contract clearly states that the monthly board INCLUDES regular cleanings! So how can we be charged a cleaning fee in the exact same amount as the prorated cost for the period we weren't there? On February 21, 2008, Jim Baird had confirmed on the phone with my husband that the amount to be returned to us was $372.57. He never mentioned anything about a cleaning fee then, and he never answered the letters or contested the amount when we attempted to contact him afterward. I should also mention that Starlight Ranch/Jim Baird only returned the $275 AFTER we filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and AFTER the BBB contacted them TWICE about it.
Katharine
Englewood,#6Author of original report
Thu, April 17, 2008
Starlight Ranch/Jim and Diana Baird returned PART of the money they owed us. Today (4/17/08) we received a check made out for $275, the amount of the deposit owed us. As for the rest, the $97.57 Jim Baird agreed to return to us if we wanted to leave early... Suddenly we have been charged a hokey $97.57 "clean fee." This fee is listed NOWHERE in the contract -- in fact, the contract clearly states that the monthly board INCLUDES regular cleanings! So how can we be charged a cleaning fee in the exact same amount as the prorated cost for the period we weren't there? On February 21, 2008, Jim Baird had confirmed on the phone with my husband that the amount to be returned to us was $372.57. He never mentioned anything about a cleaning fee then, and he never answered the letters or contested the amount when we attempted to contact him afterward. I should also mention that Starlight Ranch/Jim Baird only returned the $275 AFTER we filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and AFTER the BBB contacted them TWICE about it.