Sundance Companies, Inc.

We have finally got all the information to the utility that is neededIt seems it took several calls a day to them to respond in a timely mannerI believe we should be able to get the customer now connected to the grid very soonWe truly understand the disappointment of taking so long to get this permission to connect to the grid, but that decision is out of our controlplease accept our apologiesThe installers sent a check for compensation of what the about what array would produce in a winter month as a gesture of good will, and to show our dedication to get this project completed very quicklyIf Mike stated you would get $2,back if you didn't get the grant then I will be sending you back $2,as he promisedThis will be before March 1st
Respectfully, Mark President

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
When we first met with the sales person, Mike ***, we were told that there were no requirements to get approved for the REAP grant After two grant writers tried to play with the numbers to get our project to qualify, we were told that at least 51% of the electric needed to be used for the businessOur farm uses very little electricity - most is used for our householdI told this to Mike at our first meetingThis was after we had invested the $
When we were told that we could not qualify for the grant (though Mike shared that they had been able to get REAP grants for 100% of their customers in the last years, I believe?)We were told the $would be applied to the project, since we still wanted the solar array installed
We applied for the cost of the solar array to be paid through Green Sky Credit It is a month no interest loan, if paid by June 25, The first installment was taken on June 25, The last payment was made to Sundance on October 15, I believe In the paperwork we received, we were told that the final payment would not come out until the project was on-line It still is not Also, there was no fee for the financing that was securedWe are the ones that will be charged the 17.99% interest if it is not paid before June 25, And yet we are not saving any money by using the solar panels, since they are not connected yet
In the original contract, Mke added that if we did not get the REAP grant, we would be refunded $of our deposit When will that occur?
We were told via email that the installer would make our monthly payments until the system was up and running - no payments have been made by the installer(Though I have his email that states he sent a payment.)
In the last months, we have attempted to contact the Sundance company and the installerNeither would respond to our contacts
When we talked to the salesperson and the installer at the beginning of this project, Matt was sure to indicate where we wanted the solar panels installed When we came home from work on the day they started installation, they had attempted to install the solar panels exactly where we told them NOT to install them (on top of the trench where the previous owners of this property had buried refuse)Since they ran into metal (that we warned them about), they put the footers about feet north of where we had indicatedIf they had placed them where we asked, they would not have run into the metal that was buried by previous owners of this property, when they were running the electric line tube(Since the electric lines are not installed yet.)
Again, all we want is the system up and running, and in the meantime, some communication as to where the project stands
(Koenig Contract Deposit.pdf)

I am rejecting this response because:
They have not yet given us the warrantee information on the solar system and they have not refunded the money they said they would Waiting...patiently!*** ***

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
When we first met with the sales person, Mike ***, we were told that there were no requirements to get approved for the REAP grantAfter two grant writers tried to play with the numbers to get our project to qualify, we were told that at least 51% of the electric needed to be used for the businessOur farm uses very little electricity - most is used for our householdI told this to Mike at our first meetingThis was after we had invested the $
When we were told that we could not qualify for the grant (though Mike shared that they had been able to get REAP grants for 100% of their customers in the last years, I believe?)We were told the $would be applied to the project, since we still wanted the solar array installed
We applied for the cost of the solar array to be paid through Green Sky CreditIt is a month no interest loan, if paid by June 25, The first installment was taken on June 25, The last payment was made to Sundance on October 15, I believeIn the paperwork we received, we were told that the final payment would not come out until the project was on-lineIt still is notAlso, there was no fee for the financing that was securedWe are the ones that will be charged the 17.99% interest if it is not paid before June 25, And yet we are not saving any money by using the solar panels, since they are not connected yet
In the original contract, Mke added that if we did not get the REAP grant, we would be refunded $of our depositWhen will that occur?
We were told via email that the installer would make our monthly payments until the system was up and running - no payments have been made by the installer(Though I have his email that states he sent a payment.)
In the last months, we have attempted to contact the Sundance company and the installerNeither would respond to our contacts
When we talked to the salesperson and the installer at the beginning of this project, Matt was sure to indicate where we wanted the solar panels installedWhen we came home from work on the day they started installation, they had attempted to install the solar panels exactly where we told them NOT to install them (on top of the trench where the previous owners of this property had buried refuse)Since they ran into metal (that we warned them about), they put the footers about feet north of where we had indicatedIf they had placed them where we asked, they would not have run into the metal that was buried by previous owners of this property, when they were running the electric line tube(Since the electric lines are not installed yet.)
Again, all we want is the system up and running, and in the meantime, some communication as to where the project stands
(Koenig Contract Deposit.pdf)

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/12/23) */
*** Hastings, MN
Phone: *** www.sundancecompanies.com
Date: December 23rd
Dear Mr***
In response to your
letter dated December 14th 2015, regarding the complaint from ***, case #***
We (Sundance) entered into an agreement with the ***'s in February for a grant writer to write a grant application for a possible REAP grant for a solar array on their propertyThe ***'s paid $2,for this grant opportunityIn June of they decided to move forward with the projectWe secured month no payment, no interest financing for them to pay for the solar array, through Green Sky CreditTo date the ***'s have only paid $2,out of their pocketWe pay the fee for the financing they secured
We have spent time and resources on REAP grant with two separate grant writersWe have secured permits, and worked on interconnection agreements with Franklin Rural Electric CooperativeWe have completely installed their project with the exception of the interconnection with Franklin Rural ElectricThe utility has not been timely at all to respond to our request effortsAs are most utilities when they know you won't be buying as much electricity from them in the future
Currently we have submitted all the requested paperwork to them, including the one line diagramWe are awaiting word back from themThese projects have several different steps and the paperwork is endlessWe have communicated this to the ***'s as wellIt is not uncommon for these type projects to take 6-months from planning, permits, building, interconnections and final inspection
Another delay was the ***'s have large amounts of garbage and metal buried near the solar array where the trenching was to be for the wiringWe were extremely surprised to find buried hazardous materials on an organic farmAfter broken trenchers from hitting a buried combine, we had to rent a large backhoe to get the trenching doneFinally after that process, we moved to the interconnection process with Franklin Rural Electric
We will be calling the utility daily for the permission to connect starting next week
Very Respectfully, Mark ***/ President
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/12/23) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
When we first met with the sales person, Mike ***, we were told that there were no requirements to get approved for the REAP grantAfter two grant writers tried to play with the numbers to get our project to qualify, we were told that at least 51% of the electric needed to be used for the businessOur farm uses very little electricity - most is used for our householdI told this to Mike at our first meetingThis was after we had invested the $
When we were told that we could not qualify for the grant (though Mike shared that they had been able to get REAP grants for 100% of their customers in the last years, I believe?)We were told the $would be applied to the project, since we still wanted the solar array installed
We applied for the cost of the solar array to be paid through Green Sky CreditIt is a month no interest loan, if paid by June 25, The first installment was taken on June 25, The last payment was made to Sundance on October 15, I believeIn the paperwork we received, we were told that the final payment would not come out until the project was on-lineIt still is notAlso, there was no fee for the financing that was securedWe are the ones that will be charged the 17.99% interest if it is not paid before June 25, And yet we are not saving any money by using the solar panels, since they are not connected yet
In the original contract, Mke added that if we did not get the REAP grant, we would be refunded $of our depositWhen will that occur?
We were told via email that the installer would make our monthly payments until the system was up and running - no payments have been made by the installer(Though I have his email that states he sent a payment.)
In the last months, we have attempted to contact the Sundance company and the installerNeither would respond to our contacts
When we talked to the salesperson and the installer at the beginning of this project, Matt was sure to indicate where we wanted the solar panels installedWhen we came home from work on the day they started installation, they had attempted to install the solar panels exactly where we told them NOT to install them (on top of the trench where the previous owners of this property had buried refuse)Since they ran into metal (that we warned them about), they put the footers about feet north of where we had indicatedIf they had placed them where we asked, they would not have run into the metal that was buried by previous owners of this property, when they were running the electric line tube(Since the electric lines are not installed yet.)
Again, all we want is the system up and running, and in the meantime, some communication as to where the project stands
Final Business Response /* (4000, 10, 2016/01/06) */
We have finally got all the information to the utility that is neededIt seems it took several calls a day to them to respond in a timely mannerI believe we should be able to get the customer now connected to the grid very soonWe truly understand the disappointment of taking so long to get this permission to connect to the grid, but that decision is out of our controlplease accept our apologiesThe installers sent a check for compensation of what the about what array would produce in a winter month as a gesture of good will, and to show our dedication to get this project completed very quicklyIf Mike stated you would get $2,back if you didn't get the grant then I will be sending you back $2,as he promisedThis will be before March 1st
Respectfully, Mark President
Final Consumer Response /* (2000, 12, 2016/01/15) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
We are seeing progress, as the company has started work with our local electric companyWe have not seen the compensation from the installersWe still expect the amount overcharged to our credit account to be returned in a timely manner

I am rejecting this response because:
They have not yet given us the warrantee information on the solar system and they have not refunded the money they said they would Waiting...patiently!*** ***

I am rejecting this response because:
: We are the people who filed a previous complaint against SundanceWe signed a contract, paid our deposit, and it was supposed to be installed within daysIt has officially been over a YEAR! They have not installed the electricAt this point they need to finish installing the electric, meters, get a state inspection, sign a completion form, and then the Rural Electric Cooperative will attach the lines and final meterThe company overcharged me $They promised to pay that backThat has not been doneThey promised me a refund of my monthly payment for the number of months the solar panels have been installed, but not online (over $800/month)That has not been doneThey promised a month of electric bills paid ($300)- but NONE of these have been paid

(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
We are seeing progress, as the company has started work with our local electric company We have not seen the compensation from the installersWe still expect the amount overcharged to our credit account to be returned in a timely manner

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/12/23) */
*** Hastings, MN
Phone: *** www.sundancecompanies.com
Date: December 23rd
Dear Mr***
In response to your
letter dated December 14th 2015, regarding the complaint from ***, case #***
We (Sundance) entered into an agreement with the ***'s in February for a grant writer to write a grant application for a possible REAP grant for a solar array on their propertyThe ***'s paid $2,for this grant opportunityIn June of they decided to move forward with the projectWe secured month no payment, no interest financing for them to pay for the solar array, through Green Sky CreditTo date the ***'s have only paid $2,out of their pocketWe pay the fee for the financing they secured
We have spent time and resources on REAP grant with two separate grant writersWe have secured permits, and worked on interconnection agreements with Franklin Rural Electric CooperativeWe have completely installed their project with the exception of the interconnection with Franklin Rural ElectricThe utility has not been timely at all to respond to our request effortsAs are most utilities when they know you won't be buying as much electricity from them in the future
Currently we have submitted all the requested paperwork to them, including the one line diagramWe are awaiting word back from themThese projects have several different steps and the paperwork is endlessWe have communicated this to the ***'s as wellIt is not uncommon for these type projects to take 6-months from planning, permits, building, interconnections and final inspection
Another delay was the ***'s have large amounts of garbage and metal buried near the solar array where the trenching was to be for the wiringWe were extremely surprised to find buried hazardous materials on an organic farmAfter broken trenchers from hitting a buried combine, we had to rent a large backhoe to get the trenching doneFinally after that process, we moved to the interconnection process with Franklin Rural Electric
We will be calling the utility daily for the permission to connect starting next week
Very Respectfully, Mark ***/ President
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2015/12/23) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
When we first met with the sales person, Mike ***, we were told that there were no requirements to get approved for the REAP grant After two grant writers tried to play with the numbers to get our project to qualify, we were told that at least 51% of the electric needed to be used for the businessOur farm uses very little electricity - most is used for our householdI told this to Mike at our first meetingThis was after we had invested the $
When we were told that we could not qualify for the grant (though Mike shared that they had been able to get REAP grants for 100% of their customers in the last years, I believe?)We were told the $would be applied to the project, since we still wanted the solar array installed
We applied for the cost of the solar array to be paid through Green Sky Credit It is a month no interest loan, if paid by June 25, The first installment was taken on June 25, The last payment was made to Sundance on October 15, I believe In the paperwork we received, we were told that the final payment would not come out until the project was on-line It still is not Also, there was no fee for the financing that was securedWe are the ones that will be charged the 17.99% interest if it is not paid before June 25, And yet we are not saving any money by using the solar panels, since they are not connected yet
In the original contract, Mke added that if we did not get the REAP grant, we would be refunded $of our deposit When will that occur?
We were told via email that the installer would make our monthly payments until the system was up and running - no payments have been made by the installer(Though I have his email that states he sent a payment.)
In the last months, we have attempted to contact the Sundance company and the installerNeither would respond to our contacts
When we talked to the salesperson and the installer at the beginning of this project, Matt was sure to indicate where we wanted the solar panels installed When we came home from work on the day they started installation, they had attempted to install the solar panels exactly where we told them NOT to install them (on top of the trench where the previous owners of this property had buried refuse)Since they ran into metal (that we warned them about), they put the footers about feet north of where we had indicatedIf they had placed them where we asked, they would not have run into the metal that was buried by previous owners of this property, when they were running the electric line tube(Since the electric lines are not installed yet.)
Again, all we want is the system up and running, and in the meantime, some communication as to where the project stands
Final Business Response /* (4000, 10, 2016/01/06) */
We have finally got all the information to the utility that is neededIt seems it took several calls a day to them to respond in a timely mannerI believe we should be able to get the customer now connected to the grid very soonWe truly understand the disappointment of taking so long to get this permission to connect to the grid, but that decision is out of our controlplease accept our apologiesThe installers sent a check for compensation of what the about what array would produce in a winter month as a gesture of good will, and to show our dedication to get this project completed very quicklyIf Mike stated you would get $2,back if you didn't get the grant then I will be sending you back $2,as he promisedThis will be before March 1st
Respectfully, Mark President
Final Consumer Response /* (2000, 12, 2016/01/15) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
We are seeing progress, as the company has started work with our local electric company We have not seen the compensation from the installersWe still expect the amount overcharged to our credit account to be returned in a timely manner

Mark's letter made it sound as if we had only invested the $in this project They have received $32,from our GreenSky account, plus the $ We were told this project would cost $Sundance took $32500, insteadWe started making payments in November and have paid $so far

I am rejecting this response because:
: We are the people who filed a previous complaint against Sundance. We signed a contract, paid our deposit, and it was supposed to be installed within 100 days. It has officially been over a YEAR! They have not installed the electric. At this point they need to finish installing the electric, meters, get a state inspection, sign a completion form, and then the Rural Electric Cooperative will attach the lines and final meter. The company overcharged me $1500. They promised to pay that back. That has not been done. They promised me a refund of my monthly payment for the number of months the solar panels have been installed, but not online (over $800/month). That has not been done. They promised a month of electric bills paid ($300)- but NONE of these have been paid.

We have finally got all the information to the utility that is needed. It seems it took several calls a day to them to respond in a timely manner. I believe we should be able to get the customer now connected to the grid very soon. We truly understand the disappointment of taking so long to get this permission to connect to the grid, but that decision is out of our control. please accept our apologies. The installers sent a check for compensation of what the about what array would produce in a winter month as a gesture of good will, and to show our dedication to get this project completed very quickly. If Mike stated you would get $2,000.00 back if you didn't get the grant then I will be sending you back $2,000.00 as he promised. This will be before March 1st 2016.
Respectfully, Mark President

This company has slick sales people who promise the moon. When they get you to sign a contract, it's pulling teeth to get the project completed. (ours isn't yet - and it's been almost a year!)
They hire contractors that lie and don't follow directions. They do not research what they need for projects and try to skirt the rules when installing a project.
They are not polite to local electric cooperatives.

Mark's letter made it sound as if we had only invested the $2500 in this project. They have received $32,500 from our GreenSky account, plus the $2500. We were told this project would cost $32000. Sundance took $32500, instead. We started making payments in November and have paid $2050 so far.

(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
We are seeing progress, as the company has started work with our local electric company. We have not seen the compensation from the installers. We still expect the amount overcharged to our credit account to be returned in a timely manner.