SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – We have most likely heard this recommendation earlier than: do not signal a contract with out studying the positive print first.
Nevertheless, all it will possibly do is miss an essential element, and you may lose some huge cash. That is precisely what one Savannah lady says occurred to her when she signed up for photo voltaic panels.
72-year-old Savannah resident Sarah Durham wrote to WTOC asking for assist. Durham, a widow who mentioned she lately battled most cancers, desires to know if she will get her photo voltaic panels after she says a salesman misled her. We went to Durham and his photo voltaic panels for ourselves at his residence on East Duffy Avenue.
“No one cares,” Durham mentioned. “All they need is cash.”
Durham says his photo voltaic panel drawback all began with a flyer.
“I discovered the flyer on my door, with photo voltaic panels. It mentioned the federal government would pay for it,” he mentioned.
Durham confirmed us the deal he made with Titan Photo voltaic Energy, an Arizona-based firm. He mentioned their salesman advised him he certified for presidency help for the panels.
The issue?
He mentioned the federal government paid for the $8,000 set up – not the panels themselves.
“A couple of weeks later, I acquired this letter saying, “you owe $30,000,” he mentioned. “He did not inform me I needed to pay $30,000!”
Durham mentioned he instantly contacted Titan Photo voltaic, however they advised him they could not assist and referred him to a group company. He mentioned he signed up for the panels, pondering he would lower your expenses. However, between the month-to-month funds for the photo voltaic panels and the remainder of his electrical energy invoice, he says he is now paying extra. And, he mentioned that each one occurred earlier than he was identified with most cancers.
“It is overwhelming,” Durham added.
We need to know if this has occurred to different folks. So, we contacted the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB). Tom Stephens, President of the BBB’s Northeast Florida workplace, mentioned this can be a frequent grievance.
“My first response was, I want this was the primary time I’ve ever heard a narrative like that. However, no,” mentioned Stephens.
Stephens mentioned new photo voltaic firms often get probably the most complaints, and do not final lengthy in enterprise.
“The photo voltaic trade has some good folks, and a few not so good folks. And, typically they exaggerate their claims,” Stephens defined. “And, it is costly, and there is a number of authorized contracts concerned, and folks do not learn them. So, it is not shocking that one thing like this occurs.”
Titan Photo voltaic has a 1.7/5 buyer overview ranking on the BBB site, with greater than 600 complaints prior to now three years. In keeping with Stephens, throughout the identical interval, they obtained 6,389 complete complaints towards photo voltaic vitality contractors all through the nation.
The three most typical complaints towards an organization on the BBB’s site embrace:
- The photo voltaic panel system just isn’t working, or just isn’t correctly put in.
- Prospects can not attain the corporate for assist.
- Prospects really feel misled, or “cheated.”
We even see many individuals utilizing the phrase “rip-off” to explain Titan Photo voltaic Energy. Stephens mentioned folks like Durham have three choices:
- Pay the invoice.
- Do not pay the invoice, and face authorized motion.
- Declare chapter.
Stephens mentioned it is a troublesome place for customers.
“In fact you’re feeling for them, as a result of they loaded themselves with a debt that they needed to pay and by no means acquired any return from it,” he mentioned.
Durham referred to as his resolution to purchase photo voltaic panels one of many largest errors of his life.
“Oh he made it so good, really easy, so good!” He mentioned. “You understand? And, I fell for it.”
WTOC Investigates has contacted Titan Photo voltaic a number of instances over the previous two months. The corporate has not responded to our calls, emails or on-line varieties submitted on their site.
The Higher Enterprise Bureau has some recommendation for anybody interested by shopping for photo voltaic panels:
- Get a couple of estimate, and be skeptical of salespeople who come to your door with a suggestion.
- Be sure you understand how a lot the federal government will cowl on your panels earlier than you agree to purchase them.
- Make certain your vitality firm presents “internet metering.” Those who do can pay you for the additional energy your panels generate.
Georgia Energy doesn’t supply internet metering.
Titan Photo voltaic Energy shouldn’t be confused with Titan Photo voltaic USA, a separate firm based mostly in Tennessee. Titan Photo voltaic USA has additionally been the topic of media studies involving comparable complaints.
Grey Tv, WTOC-TV’s dad or mum firm, has additionally printed a minimum of 4 different investigative tales about one other photo voltaic firm, most lately referred to as Pink Vitality. WSMV-TV in Nashville studies that the corporate, previously referred to as Energy House Photo voltaic, has since closed.
Grey’s sister station KY3-TV in Springfield, MO, reported that the corporate had filed for chapter. The complaints prompted the Missouri Legal professional Common to sue the corporate after an investigation by sister station KMOV in St.
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