Elco, Inc.

An individual driving a maroon SUV with a magnetic sign on the side, passed three sets of no trespassing signs, and drove four tenths of a mile down a private road and approached my daughter outside our home I went outside and inquired if he saw the no trespassing signs, and he continued to try to explain his business After the third time I asked about him seeing the no trespassing signs, he stated he did not I told him to learn to read and get the *** *** my property I then notified the local police of the violation

Purchased a *** *** on 4/6/18, several days later while trying to change out some of the attachments (past the day cancellation period) discovered that I could not do so due to weakness in hands/fingers from arthritisI contacted the salesman, which took several days & was told there was nothing he could do in regards to refunding my moneyHe did offer to come by & put the canister mode of vacuum on for me, however I didn't purchase this machine to use it in one mode only, I purchased it so that I could use all the various functions to clean my homeI called Elco,Incexplained my situation to the young woman who answered the phone, who also said that there was nothing they could do even after I explained that I physically couldn't use this machineI called back & asked for owner/supervisor of the company & after a week, he still hasn't returned my call

Review: The [redacted] vacuum salesman came in and removed stains. The following day the stains came back. So I tried to shampoo it again. The next day the stains came back again. Now this is the third day. I looked through the paperwork and I could find no phone number. So I called the corporate number and they said I had to call the local rep and gave me a non-working number. I called back again and got the correct number. When calling about returning an item you are forwarded to a machine and they return your call. When I finally got in touch with the local rep he was very rude and very smug while he told me that my problems don't matter because federal law protects them because it took me longer than 3 days to return the item. The system in place is set up for you to miss the 3 day deadline. Trying to be honest and give them the benefit of the doubt by trying to shampoo the carpet again contributed to me missing this deadline. Also, the waiting until the end of the day or the next day to get a return call is helpful to missing the deadline as well. I was told that I had a lifetime warranty but I guess that is not on the up and up either.Desired Settlement: I would like to return the item for a refund. I would also like for buyers to be made aware of this company's dishonest dealings.

Business

Response:

The company had an appointment with the customer to go to the home and see if there is anything they can do to help regarding the stains. The customer was not home for the appointment. The company is going to attempt to contact the customer again to schedule an appointment to come back out to the property. As far as the 3 day right to cancel- all customers get documentation with the instructions to follow. The customer did not follow the instructions and it has passed the 3 day right to cancel.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

[Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

Regards,

The company told me that I can be upset if I want to be but federal law protects them and that I can do nothing about it then hung up on me because I was out of my 72 hour window. Also, it took longer than 72 hours to track them down because they gave me the corporate number who in turn gave me the run around. Them coming back out to clean again does not change the fact that the product does not work. They used the product the first time and it appears to work until the next day when the stains come back. I in turn have used the product several times after that in the exact same fashion with the same results. The product is a sham and the people are rude. The very fact that they have so much protection from returns and a complicated return policy is evidence to that fact.

Review: On October 21, 2014 at approximately 2:00 PM, three gentlemen showed up on my doorstep and offered to clean 2 rooms for free. Long story short, this was a sales tactic and my husband and I ended up agreeing to purchase the vacuum system. This morning, I noticed the sales representative had left his "cheat sheet" on the box. I tried calling the number provided yesterday [redacted]), but the number has been disconnected. Upon reviewing a previous complaint, I went into the room that was previously cleaned, and the red stain on the carpet is larger and worse than before. After further review of the complaints and the fact that I am unable to contact the company, There are several different addresses listed for this company, and I am uncomfortable doing business with people that I am unable to contact for future needs. I wish to terminate the agreement, have the gentlemen come pick up the machine and return the original [redacted] vacuum the accepted as trade-in credit (or the $100 trade in credit in cash so that I can purchase a new vacuum).Desired Settlement: I wish to terminate the agreement, have the gentlemen come pick up the machine and return the original [redacted] vacuum the accepted as trade-in credit (or the $100 trade in credit in cash so that I can purchase a new vacuum should they have disposed of my old [redacted] Professional Vacuum). The date of this complaint in October 22, 2014 and it has been less than 24 hours since the agreement was initially made. I will be available all day on Tuesday, October 28 for someone to come to my home for this purpose.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

This letter is in response to the above referenced

complaint. Our office first became aware of [redacted] request to cancel her

purchase on October 22, 2014 at approximately 8:38 a.m. when her message was

retrieved from our voicemail. Her sales representative, [redacted], was notified

and directed to contact [redacted] within twenty-four hours. [redacted] contacted

[redacted] at once, and set an appointment to meet her the following day,

October 23, 2014, whereby he would pick up the [redacted] and execute the

cancellation process.

With regards to her statement that she had reached a non-working

telephone number, please note that our office number is pre-printed on all

contracts. Please also note that she was able to reach our sales office at

[redacted],

There were three existing stains when the dealer shampooed

the carpet. [redacted] stated that while two were removed, he was unable to

remove the third, a large pink stain which appeared to him to be chalk.

As of October 22, 2014, the purchase has been cancelled. At

[redacted] requested, a [redacted] upright vacuume was delivered to her home. Her

husband, [redacted] has signed an acceptance letter which I have [redacted] for

your review.

Please contact me at the above telephone number of you have

any questions or require further documentation.

Consumer

Response:

I accept the business's response for the most part, however, he made no mention of the damage to the ceiling caused by the sales rep using the wrong attachment. The damage is minimal, however, it is there. Husband's name is [redacted], not [redacted] as he previously indicated.

Review: Wednesday, March 11 at 2:30 PM a man came to my door with a coupon good for 1 carpet shampoo at no cost or obligation. He said he could do the work right now. Reluctantly, I let him in since he assured me it would only be for a few brief moments. Next thing I know he was walking in with ANOTHER man carrying several boxes. That's when I knew this was not a carpet cleaning company, but a sales pitch! I tried to get out of the pitch, but the 1st man left so quickly without a ride for the other man. So, I asked the other man his name ([redacted] is all I got although I repeatedly asked for a business card to no avail.) Long story short, this was a sales pitch for [redacted] vacuum cleaners. The name [redacted] didn't even come up for the first 10 minutes!! I feel like the men entered my home under false pretenses, a bait and switch technique for sure. After an hour, I told James he had to finish up and leave because I had felt like I was being taken advantage of and didn't like the way they had entered my home. He then asked me if he could use my home phone (which I now realize was his way of getting our home phone number), to call the original man that came to the door to come back and pick him up. Honestly, if it wasn't for my husband being home, working in the downstairs office I believe I would have (and probably should have) called the police. Having given this more thought over the hours they have been here, I feel terribly dooped and almost violated at the false pretense they entered into my home. I have sent a message to corporate [redacted] company and would like to lodge a complaint with your office so others may not be dooped like me. I plan on calling their office tomorrow and demanding I never be contacted again. Please help!Desired Settlement: I want this company contacted and asked to please stop with the negative way into a persons home. Be honest...if the product is that good, it should speak for itself. In this day and age, we really need to be careful of who comes into our home and to start off on a falsehood is just plain deceitful. I would also like to be assured this company will NEVER come to my doorstep again.

Business

Response:

This is in response to case number [redacted]. It is our priority to conduct ourselves with professionalism and respect for our customers. Our sales process typically includes a free gift and a free carpet or rug shampoo in one room of the customer's home. With his or her consent, our dealers enter the home with the equipment and proceed to perform the shampoo. It is our policy for our dealers to leave at once when the homeowner requests that they end the demonstration. We would certainly never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. It is also our practice to display our company name and telephone number on vehicles. Dealers wear photo identification on lanyards around their necks, and keep copies of our business license with them so that they may be presented at any request. Please be advised that our dealer's only intention was to perform the free carpet shampoo that Mrs. [redacted] consented to. We will notify our dealers that this individual does not wish to be contacted in any fashion in the future.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.I would like the company to be aware that the gentleman that came to the door nor [redacted] (he never did give me his business card) was NOT wearing their photo identification on lanyards around their necks. They also did not park in the driveway for me to see what their company name was or that they were affiliated with [redacted] vacuums. All I had was the flier they handed to me. That is a very shady way of doing business if you ask me! I honestly had no idea [redacted] cleaners were even part of the equation until 10 minutes AFTER the one gentleman excused himself and [redacted] was left and I asked him what was truly going on. Bait and switch...very shady indeed. If my husband was not home I would have called the police. THAT is how serious I feel this matter is! Shame on me for ever even opening up the door. I will NOT make that mistake again.I DID contact corporate [redacted] in the meantime and told the residents of our neighborhood to be aware of this company doing door-to-door sales. The salesman who did the carpet cleaning ([redacted]), mentioned he kept a notebook with all the homes, phone numbers, information of everyone whose home he enters. I want to make sure it is clear that I should NEVER hear from another [redacted] distributor again or the police will be called immediately.

Regards,

Review: On Thursday October 17, 2013 a young lady came to my door telling me I was able to get a room of carpert shampooed free of charge and I explained to her that I was ill and did not feel like being bothered. She was pushy and rude trying to barrell her way into my home and I told her no. She said it would only take a few moments and I again told her no that my husband was eating lunch and didn't want to be bothered and she stated she would be back in about 30 min. At that time I closed the door and walked away. In 30 minutes exactly the same young lady came back to the door and instead of it being her to do the carpet it was now going to be a gentleman name [redacted]. I did allow him in and as he went through the process I laid on my sofa covered up, kinda in and out of sleep as I was ill. He stayed in my home for a couple hours and at the end he asked me if I liked the [redacted] and I told him yes. He explained that he was working towards a cruise and me buying would help with that. I told him that the last time a [redacted] rep had come by the house that the price was way to high. He called a gentleman named [redacted] and he then came by and offered the [redacted] to me at the rate of 1500 flat, I signed the contract to get them out of my home and I did ask at the time about a period of changing my mind because I did not really look at the contract as I was ill. On Saturday when I was no longer running a fever I looked at contract and saw the interest rate of 23.99 percent and thought that was crazy so I called [redacted] around 9:30 that Saturday morning and told him I was not going to pay that high interest and he said no problem that he could get it at 12 months same as cash. I told him that was fine but I needed a new contract reflecting that new amount and he said no problem that the credit department would be calling me in the next few minutes. I waited until around 4 that afternoon and no word from anyone. So I felt like this was a scam and they were not going to repsond until the deadline has passed to cancel my contract under the law so I signed my cancellation and put it in the mail as well as called and left a voice mail on the office machine as no one was answering. I then called back to the office on Monday morning and got no answer so I left another voice mail informing them that I was cancelling contract and they would need to pick up their machine and return my vacuum they had taken on Thursday night as a trade. They took a white bagless [redacted] that I paid 300 plus for. I heard from the finance office around 4:15 on Monday afternoon informing me that the financing had been changed to reflect 12 months same as cash. I stated to the young lady that I had cancelled contract and would not be using any financing from them. She stated that she would cancel the financing and I left it at that. On Tuesday I get a call from [redacted] informing me that he had been told that I was cancelling and please don't do that because he wanted me to have the [redacted] and [redacted] would not win his cruise. I told him I was sorry, but had already cancelled it and he said he could fix that and they wanted to make me happy. I told him I was not going to change my mind. He then stated that [redacted] would be back out to the house to pick up [redacted] and return my vacuum and I stated that I would not be home until 7 and he said they would come between 7-7:30. [redacted] showed up around 7:45 that evening and told me that he had won the cruise with my sale and if I cancelled he would lose that. He stated it was just a mis-understanding and I told him that I don't like being lied to and that [redacted] should have followed through with returning my call if he knew the finance person that could make that change was not going to be there on Saturday. I told him that I didn't trust the company being up front with people after what had happened that my cancellation was going to remain effective. He told me he could do a new contract with me then with the 12 months same as cash so I would be assured that the company and contract was valid. I told him no that I had already made up my mind and he then called his boss or someone and they offered me the [redacted] at 1200 plus tax, which any smart person knows that it will only take the cost back up to the 1500 mark so no discount was really being given. He told the person that they had my [redacted] and would need to be gotten back to me, which my [redacted] should have been brought back at time of pickup of their equipment just as when the first transaction took place. When they left my house that first night they took my only vacuum and left theirs so when they returned to pick up their equipment they were to return mine and didn't do that. On Wednesday I called probally 4-5 times to inquire about when my vacuum was going to be returned to only get the run around from the office staff saying that she would have to check with management which is [redacted] and I asked to speak to him directly which I was denied with an excuse of oh he has stepped out now to run an errand, the next time was denied on the basis that he would contact me the next day. I told the young lady that I wanted my vacuum returned that day as I had no way to clean my carperted floors being they left me with nothing. I called and spoke to [redacted] and he stated he was unaware that [redacted] had not returned my vacuum. I explained to him that this was very poor customer service and that I felt that the company was a scam and I was going to complain to the Revdex.com and consumer advocacy about this practice of taking someones property and not returning when I fulfilled my obligation by releasing their equipment and they should have been as good as their word. I received a call this morning on the 24th of October from the office to tell me that they were going to make sure that I got my vacuum back today. I asked to speak to the [redacted] of the company and of course was told he is out running an errand but would have him call me back. [redacted] is his name and he was extremely rude when he called telling me that I would get my vacuum back and to stop calling there and talking to everyone about it. I explained to him that as a consumer I will call and speak to whomever I choose as many times as I choose until I get my equipment back. He asked me if I wanted him to bring it me now and I said yes, but I am at work so he said you want me to bring to your job and I stated no he could not. Wanted to know if they could leave on porch and I said no. Very poor business man and this company scams people by barging themselves into your home having you sign a contract and then knowing you have 3 business days to cancel, but oh by the way they don't tell you that Saturday counts as a buisness day because they do demo's on Saturdays. So had I not sent in the notice on Saturday I would have not made the deadline because to me a business day is M-F and they should be obligated under the law to disclose that Saturday is one of their business days under their contract. I informed them that I will tell as many people in my neighborhood to be weary of doing business with this company and also any of my friends about my experience and not to buy a [redacted] from this company.Desired Settlement: I want a formal letter of apology from the [redacted] for the conduct of his employees and his behavior as the [redacted] and I want to be compensated for the fact that I did not have any way to vacuum my home for a period of 4 days total. Had I paid someone to come in and clean my home so that I could have had it vacuumed it will cost me 50.00. If they don't have my exact vacuum and in excellent working order to return as it was when they took possession I want the same model replaced at the cost to the company.

Business

Response:

[redacted] called in and provided a response to [redacted] complaint. [redacted] states the Kirby [redacted] vacuum was picked up in a timely fashion and [redacted] has received her original vacuum back at this time. No additional refund or compensation is warranted.

Review: Salesperson [redacted] with Elco [redacted] vacuums stated wanted 5 minutes to show cleaning solution. I showed her carpet she left and came back into my home with two men that I had not invited nor did she ask or inform me she was bringing them into my home. There was also another gentleman in the black [redacted]. She then left leaving the two men. I asked the to leave several times finally They had no respect for my home or wishes. I was minutes from calling the police. When someone's says they are not interested and please leave my home they should respect the homeowners wishes and leave. They also should never bring their associates into the homeowners home without the homeowners permissionDesired Settlement: For them not to do this to another homeowner

Business

Response:

To whom it may concern:

This correspondence is in response to the above referenced complaint. It

is our policy to treat all of our customers with courtesy and respect. It

is also our policy to leave at once if that request is made by a

homeowner. I

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require further

information.

Sincerely,