Protection Termite Control

I have reviewed the response 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.

Mr. [redacted] Knows that termite tubes quickly return, usually the next day, paint is not a tratment..it was his inspector that told me to paint the garage so that old evidence would not cloud the report.

The photos that his inspector [redacted] took show stem wall cracks not termites...I painted the stem walls so she could see there was no infestation...the previous termite report also did not indicate termites at the entry.  The fact that neither Mr. [redacted] nor [redacted] would look at the home...even now ..indicates he is aware the property is pest free.

I will be happy to support my complaint with all relevant photos.

Regards,

My name is [redacted], Owner of Protection Termite Control. On 7/25/2014, our company did an inspection [redacted]. The inspection was ordered by the gentleman that filed the complaint. Upon finishing the inspection, our inspector proceeded to discuss the findings of the inspection with...

this gentleman. There were two subterranean termite markings on the foundation stem left of the front door on the front patio. Also noted was conditions conducive to infestation. After discussing the report, he proceeded to tell our inspector that there is not termites on the property. Please note, this is the second termite inspection done by two different companies in the last month that showed evidence of infestation. One being us and the second can be found the [redacted]: report number [redacted]. You can also find it by typing in the property address at the following site address: [redacted] 

Our inspector proceeded to explain how termite evidence is noted on the report Evidence of termites will consist of markings, tubes, stains and/or damage. In this case, she noted subterranean termite markings on stem wall. In order to determine if any evidence of termites is old or not, we or for that fact any company would need to have proper documentation. The fact that we have never been to the property prior to 7/25/2014, we therefore have no history of treatment and cannot determine if something is old or new. Unfortunately in this industry, tubes often get knocked down intentionally or unintentionally giving the impression that something is old. We are there to report exactly what we see. The gentleman proceeded to inform our inspector that it is old. She at that point reiterated the importance of providing the documentation of the treatment history showing that these noted termite markings were noted on past diagrams and treated properly. Should he be able to provide this, we could match our report with the past documentation and determine whether the evidence is old or new. 

A few days past and he called our inspector and informed her he could not find any treatment history and that he wanted to speak with myself, the owner. Unfortunately, I was unable to speak with him; however, she did contact me later that evening and informed me of the situation.

I looked at the report and based upon the report and speaking with my inspector, everything was done correctly. The following day she contacted the client and again told him we would need a treatment history in order to possibly provide a clear report. He again informed her that he did not have it but did paint the foundation stem wall where we called evidence of termites and wanted her to come out and clear it. She informed him painting over the evidence is not a way of treatment nor a way of getting a clear report. He at that time lost his temper and threatened to file a complaint and blast our company on social media and would ruin our name. Interestingly enough this man is a licensed real estate agent here in the valley and should know how a termite inspection works: what it is, how it is found, and how it is noted. Based upon the fact that he had a report from a different company already showing evidence of termites and now a second report saying the same thing, makes his complaint absolutely ridiculous. Furthermore, it shows his dishonesty and lack of integrity. 

Whether or not this gentleman knows or not, he has committed fraud. In his complaint, he states "I took photos of the crack..painted the wall". He took it upon himself to discredit the findings of two licensed termite companies and call what was found a crack and paint over it. He states in his complaint "another company reported the home to be free and clear of termites". My question would be did that company come out after his new paint job, and if that is the case, if he was so certain that what we found was not evidence of termites, why would he feel the need to paint over it and then call another company to reinspect. This further emphasizes my point of his dishonesty and lack of integrity.

We have worked very hard to build an honest company by standing behind what we say and report and often going above and beyond for customers. We have an impeccable reputation throughout the valley among real estate agents and homeowners. This gentleman unfortunately has made a claim that has no merit. Should I have found that there were any issues, I would have done anything to make it right. 

Please note that we do take pictures of anything we find and in this case we have two pictures showing termite markings coming up the base of the foundation. As for the complaint, I ask that you look at the facts and determine this as an unjustifiable complaint and dismiss it.

Review: I employed this company to inspect for termites...the inspector found a crack in the entry stem wall and called it an infestation. I took photos of the crack..painted the wall, termites will build new tubes if they are present. The company refused to reinspect and insisted that I pay $345 to treat a property that has no infestation. Another company reported the home to be free and clear of termites.Desired Settlement: A refund of $50 and a letter of apology

Business

Response:

My name is [redacted], Owner of Protection Termite Control. On 7/25/2014, our company did an inspection [redacted]. The inspection was ordered by the gentleman that filed the complaint. Upon finishing the inspection, our inspector proceeded to discuss the findings of the inspection with this gentleman. There were two subterranean termite markings on the foundation stem left of the front door on the front patio. Also noted was conditions conducive to infestation. After discussing the report, he proceeded to tell our inspector that there is not termites on the property. Please note, this is the second termite inspection done by two different companies in the last month that showed evidence of infestation. One being us and the second can be found the [redacted]: report number [redacted]. You can also find it by typing in the property address at the following site address: [redacted]

Our inspector proceeded to explain how termite evidence is noted on the report Evidence of termites will consist of markings, tubes, stains and/or damage. In this case, she noted subterranean termite markings on stem wall. In order to determine if any evidence of termites is old or not, we or for that fact any company would need to have proper documentation. The fact that we have never been to the property prior to 7/25/2014, we therefore have no history of treatment and cannot determine if something is old or new. Unfortunately in this industry, tubes often get knocked down intentionally or unintentionally giving the impression that something is old. We are there to report exactly what we see. The gentleman proceeded to inform our inspector that it is old. She at that point reiterated the importance of providing the documentation of the treatment history showing that these noted termite markings were noted on past diagrams and treated properly. Should he be able to provide this, we could match our report with the past documentation and determine whether the evidence is old or new.

A few days past and he called our inspector and informed her he could not find any treatment history and that he wanted to speak with myself, the owner. Unfortunately, I was unable to speak with him; however, she did contact me later that evening and informed me of the situation.

I looked at the report and based upon the report and speaking with my inspector, everything was done correctly. The following day she contacted the client and again told him we would need a treatment history in order to possibly provide a clear report. He again informed her that he did not have it but did paint the foundation stem wall where we called evidence of termites and wanted her to come out and clear it. She informed him painting over the evidence is not a way of treatment nor a way of getting a clear report. He at that time lost his temper and threatened to file a complaint and blast our company on social media and would ruin our name. Interestingly enough this man is a licensed real estate agent here in the valley and should know how a termite inspection works: what it is, how it is found, and how it is noted. Based upon the fact that he had a report from a different company already showing evidence of termites and now a second report saying the same thing, makes his complaint absolutely ridiculous. Furthermore, it shows his dishonesty and lack of integrity.

Whether or not this gentleman knows or not, he has committed fraud. In his complaint, he states "I took photos of the crack..painted the wall". He took it upon himself to discredit the findings of two licensed termite companies and call what was found a crack and paint over it. He states in his complaint "another company reported the home to be free and clear of termites". My question would be did that company come out after his new paint job, and if that is the case, if he was so certain that what we found was not evidence of termites, why would he feel the need to paint over it and then call another company to reinspect. This further emphasizes my point of his dishonesty and lack of integrity.

We have worked very hard to build an honest company by standing behind what we say and report and often going above and beyond for customers. We have an impeccable reputation throughout the valley among real estate agents and homeowners. This gentleman unfortunately has made a claim that has no merit. Should I have found that there were any issues, I would have done anything to make it right.

Please note that we do take pictures of anything we find and in this case we have two pictures showing termite markings coming up the base of the foundation. As for the complaint, I ask that you look at the facts and determine this as an unjustifiable complaint and dismiss it.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response 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.

Mr. [redacted] Knows that termite tubes quickly return, usually the next day, paint is not a tratment..it was his inspector that told me to paint the garage so that old evidence would not cloud the report.

The photos that his inspector [redacted] took show stem wall cracks not termites...I painted the stem walls so she could see there was no infestation...the previous termite report also did not indicate termites at the entry. The fact that neither Mr. [redacted] nor [redacted] would look at the home...even now ..indicates he is aware the property is pest free.

I will be happy to support my complaint with all relevant photos.

Regards,