my house alarm was not working, so we called a serviceman fr a security company to fix it. He jus changed a battery and left, the alarm remained malfunctioning. So we called them for the 2nd time to fix it. The 2nd serviceman repaired it sucessfully by changing a siren. Last wk they sent the bill stated that we need to pay for both the services. It's not fair to ask us to pay all of it when they did not do their job at the first time. We contacted them about this matter, still they insisted us to pay the whole amout and warned if the amout s not paid within 7days, they ll forward it to their Debt collection agency for recovery. What can I do to solve this problem?
2006-10-31 22:08:29 · 6 answers · asked by la L 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Is there any organization that I can report this bad service to??
2006-10-31 22:24:48 · update #1
The first visit of the serviceman, he came without a ladder, so he couldnot check the siren up on the wall, so he jus replaced a battery of the alarm. The alarm system remained not working. Therefore we phoned them for the second visit. During the call, we did indicate the alarm was not repaired, and they assured us that they would come to fix it at no extra cost. But when we received the bill, it charged us for both the visits! We then talked to them with this matter, they denied their word.
2006-11-01 19:53:41 · update #2
Also when we went to the electronics store, the staff told us that the battery was rechargeable! so the act of replacing a new battery was unnecessary. I feel I hav been cheated to pay for the new battery!
2006-11-01 20:03:02 · update #3
Everyone, thanks for da advices! you been very helpful! I will take action against the rotten company.
2006-11-02 16:45:35 · update #4
If you have any Consumer Forum, in your place, which I am sure must be, you must bring an action. Before doing that, you must formally issue a notice, bringing to his attention that the first serviceman had not done any thing worth while, warranting a payment and that there was deficiency of service on his part. In the notice, explaining the above circumstances, that you are not liable to pay for it. Further, you may ask for payment from the company for deficiency of service and for the mental agony that his action asking for further sum on service had caused on you.
2006-10-31 22:40:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you call a serviceman to fix a fault you should expect the alarm to be in full working order when he left-it wasn't therefore the serviceman failed to carry out his duties effectively. also usually all repairs have a gaurantee period. if it was the same fault that persisted they do not have a case against you-consult a lawyer.
2006-10-31 22:36:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right - you should not be charged for a repair that did not fix the problem.
I recommend you speak to your consumer affairs department. Depending on which state you live in, it will be one of the following:
State and Territory Consumer Organisations
VIC - Consumer Affairs (find their details on http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au )
ACT - ACT Office of Fair Trading
NSW - NSW Office of Fair Trading
NT - Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development
QLD - Office of Fair Trading
SA - Office of Consumer and Business Affairs SA
TAS - Tasmania Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading
WA - Department of Consumer and Employment Protection
They deal with these sort of problems and will be able to give you advice.
2006-11-02 01:09:34 · answer #3 · answered by London Aussie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take this from a pro- those debt collectors have absolutely no powers to make you pay the debt and if you ignore them long enough they go away. It has never tarnished my record, and i have had a few. Refuse to take calls from anyone who sounds foreign. Tell em nothing take em nowhere!!
2006-11-01 22:02:15 · answer #4 · answered by Bexx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would report them to the Better Business Bureau so you can fill out a negative report on them. They only have a certain amount of time to respond to the complaint when you file with them to resolve the issue also to keep them from getting a negative mark on their report.
2006-11-01 02:25:39 · answer #5 · answered by ~ L ~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consult a lawyer, consultation is free. If they send it to debt collection it will tarnish your credit and hurt you more than them.
2006-10-31 22:12:48 · answer #6 · answered by uknowme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋