Oct 28, 2009 5:07 pm US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: Alarming Lies
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
A retired Elk Grove couple says their alarm company promised to refund their activation fee. When they got the runaround, they called Kurtis.
They say American Alarm and Electronics in Sacramento, an authorized dealer for ADT, sold them on free activation.
But nearly three months later, they still didn't have their money.
Helen McKinley-George and her husband, Bill, live in an Elk Grove retirement community.
"We love it. It's beautiful out here, it's so quiet you know," says Helen.
Except for the sounds of their little dogs.
"Give me your paw.. good boy," Helen says to her dogs.
When they moved in a year ago, Helen says they didn't have an alarm system because their doggy door would require extra installations.
"It would've cost us an awful lot of money," says Helen.
Then in July, a salesman came to their door.
Helen says the representative from American Alarm & Electronics, an authorized ADT dealer, offered a special price.
"If we signed up that day or within the next 24 hours, that $99 was refundable," says Helen.
Helen paid the $99 activation fee up front and signed a two year deal.
Two months later, Helen called the company about her refund and spoke to the owner.
"He apologized and said they would put the check... he said I'm going to put it in the mail today. He says it might not get picked up today but I'm going to put it in the mail. It'll be in the mail within 24 hours," says Helen.
A couple of weeks later, still no check.
Helen says the owner didn't return her calls but she got a hold of another employee, who told her, other customers had been calling about their $99 refund, too.
"I'm not saying we're desperate for the money but if you promise me something, I want it back," says Helen.
After nearly three months of empty promises, Helen was fed up.
"I'm tired of waiting, I'm going to call Kurtis. I figured maybe they need a little... to get things working," says Helen.
We contacted American Alarm & Electronics and spoke with the owner, Jim Hamner.
He tells us the "$99 activation fee is required by ADT..."
and "there was no special for a refund..."
He also said, "buyers are liars..."
"If anybody's nose is growing, it's Pinocchio's you know, not mine," says Helen.
When we asked the owner about whether other customers had called about the refund, he said, "Yes, he's received other calls for this $99."
The next day after our call, Helen got this check in the mail.
"Lo and behold... I got $100 which is an extra dollar. I'm not going to keep it. I'm going to make sure his check clears before I send him his dollar which I will do," says Helen.
So where did customers get the impression that they should be getting this $99 refund? The company does not have an answer for us.But if you are promised a refund, be sure to get that in writing.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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