After hearing what sounded like animals in the attic, I called Critter Control to inspect and let…read moreus know what was going on. They came to the house, provided a comprehensive evaluation of the entire exterior of the house (where any animals could be entering), what they saw in the attic, etc. They came back with a $3,659.00 estimate for installing galvanized mesh on fewer than ten outside possible entry points, and for trapping and removal of whatever might be in the attic (a 2100 sq ft house). After bawking at the price, and after removing some of the line items from the initial invoice, they offered a 20% discount, indicating that "if anyone asks, you are a 70 year old veteran" .... okay....? I was told that I would pay a little less than half down at the time the contract was signed and that the remainder would be paid when the work was complete. They had to send me three versions of the contract, as the math wasn't adding up on the contract.... I should have known to stop at that point and call another company. I signed the contract and used a link they sent me to pay the initial deposit by credit card on Thursday, 8 August 2024.
One of their technicians texted on Saturday morning, 10 August, saying that he was coming to begin the work (I had heard nothing about scheduling at this point). I told him that we planned to be away from the house that day, and asked if we needed to be home. He apologized and said that the manager just told him to come to our home that day, and that he only planned to work on the exterior items, and did not need to be inside the house. He said he was returning Monday to complete the inside work. He arrived and began the exterior work, we left, and received a text later that he was finished outside and would return Monday, 12 August.
Halfway through the day on Monday, 12 August, I hadn't heard from anyone, and happened to log in to look at my bank account. I saw that they had used my credit card number from the deposit to go ahead and charge for the entire remainder of the contract. Note that at this point, not even half of the contracted work was completed, as they had not even been inside my house since the initial inspection. I immediately texted both numbers that the initial salesperson had used to text me. There was no response, so I called both numbers and left messages on the voicemail indicating that my card had been charged and that I needed to talk to someone. I called the number that I had used to schedule the initial visit, and apparently, if you press (1) as a new customer, you can get routed to an answering service that can schedule appointments, etc. If you press (2) as a current customer, the phone rings and rings, and no one ever answers.
I received a call from a 615 number (Nashville/middle Tennessee) and a woman advised that she was the manager of the service person that had come to the house on Saturday. She said that she was made aware of a billing concern I had. (Frustrating because the salesperson could have extended the courtesy of answering my call, texting me back, calling me back, etc.) I explained my concern and she said that there must have been a billing error, but that the charge was intentional because the outside work was done. I advised that I was told that the remaining charge was due upon completion of the sale, and that I had to initiate the first payment, and should be in control of initiating the remaining payment. I didn't (knowingly) authorize them to store my card number nor charge my account prematurely before the work was completed. I asked her to refund the charge, but she said that her "limit" that she could approve was only $250, but that she could "call her manager." Becoming increasingly concerned about the entire situation, I advised her that I was going to cancel the contract, as there was a right of rescission (3 business days from the date the contract was signed). I confirmed the address that the cancellation notice should be sent and hung up. That same evening, I received a text message from an automated system indicating "Your Appointment with a Critter Control Professional is scheduled for 15 August." No calls have been received, no follow up, no refund has been received, and I have no way to know what the company intends to do.
I can't think of a more horrible way to do business. The sheer lack of communication and follow through is deplorable and I can't imagine the idea of running my business in this manner. The company and workers initially exhibited all of the professionalism, but just as soon as that contract was signed and my money was taken, there is no telling if or when I will hear from or see them (or my money) again. Regardless of the outcome, I would steer clear of doing business with a company that conducts itself in this manner.
