I spoke with Mr. Bland of Excalibur Termite and Pest Control by telephone on November 28, 2017. He told me the termite treatment would be $800.00 after pulling my home information up online, and was able to come out the same day. As he greeted me he told me my neighbor had termite trails going up the outside of the house, and showed me approximately 7 mud trails. He said he knocked, but no one answered. I later told my neighbors of the termite trails. When he first arrived he repeated the cost for treatment would be $800.00 and said he had the "best price in town." He was very pleasant and helpful, and answered my many questions. I wanted a liquid treatment, but he insisted the termite traps were the way to go, based that on his "knowledge and business experience of 35 years." I was concerned, not only about the effectiveness of the termite traps, but the aesthetic appeal, and possibly running over and damaging the traps when the grass was mowed. He assured me he would replace the traps if they were damaged. He was very personable, and I felt comfortable with him. Fearful I had termites in the house I asked that if that was the case why would the termites leave my house to eat the bait in the traps. He said they would eat the bait and would carry it back to their nest and kill the others. Not being an expert I took him at his word, although I stressed I would prefer liquid drenching or chemical drilling around the perimeter. He said the drenching would take "400 gallons." I admit to being very anxious, and because I believed Mr. Bland I agreed to the traps. I asked if he offered veteran or senior discounts, and he said his price was already discounted. I also told him I wanted live traps, not bait. Even after he suddenly changed the quote to $1100.00 I accepted it as I was anxious about getting some type of treatment. There was a piece of wood in the backyard that showed what Mr. Bland said was termite damage. Mr. Bland said the traps would be inspected every 3 months, which I felt reassuring. Not thinking, I gave him a check for $1179.75, treatment for the entire year. It was not until he left that I realized he had not given me a contract. I found this irregular and disturbing, and sent him an email, but I take full responsibility for this oversight. I was so disturbed I went to my credit union to put a stop-hold on the check the first business day, and foolishly changed my mind once I got there. I wanted to give Mr. Bland the benefit of the doubt. That was a mistake, as he did another bait & switch on me. When I received the unsigned contract via email, it showed the traps would be inspected only three times, not four. When I questioned why, his response was "for obvious reasons, winter."
On February 18, 2018, I sent Mr. Bland an email reminder to notify me when he comes out to check the traps so that I could bring my dog in, and unlock the back gate so that he could enter. I did not hear from Mr. Bland, and have not heard from him since our last email contact in December 2017. He has not been out to inspect any traps. Clearly, it was a mistake to pay him in advance. I have not seen him since that first visit to my home.
I recently checked the traps myself, and did not notice any termite activity. I do not know if he actually set active traps. I could have purchased and placed the traps myself for half the cost of what Mr. Bland originally quoted. Since I had not heard from Mr. Bland I drove by his place of business earlier this year, and noticed that his "business" is a personal residential address. I checked online today and could not find any type of license for his business. Clearly, I have been scammed, and although dumb of me, I did not expect another senior citizen to scam me, a senior citizen. I have learned the hard way that dishonesty knows no age-limit. By the way, we had a warm winter last year. read more
