UCO REPORTER - AUGUST 2015 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

UCO Operations 2015, UCO Reporter, Aug-2015, July 27, 2015

DONT GET SCAMMED

Don’t Get Ripped off by Appliance Repair Scams

2 SHARES

 

 

 

 

July 27, 2015

By Doug Bonderud, Angie's List Contributor

Learn how to spot the signs of a scam, and what to do if you fall victim to a dishonest appliance repair service.
-
When appliances fail, most homeowners hope for a simple repair, since replacing a dishwasher, stove or refrigerator can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

Hiring a professional appliance repair company seems to offer the best of both worlds: a cheaper price than replacement and a stove or fridge with an extended lifespan. Unfortunately, too many repair companies aren't on the level when it comes to fixing your appliances. Here are some common scams, and how to unplug them before they shock your wallet.

RELATED: Video: How to Know Whether to Fix an Old Appliance or Replace It

The "cheeky check" scam

Never hand over money before work is completed.

Sandra Guile, a public relations specialist with the BBB, warns that one potential sign of a scam is a repair technician who asks to be paid upfront  — particularly if he or she asks for a check payable to a person instead of a business.

“The estimate, the deposit to repair the appliance and the repairman disappear without ever starting or even completing the repair,” Guile says.

Sometimes, the scammer will ask you to pay upfront because the part he or she needs to fix your appliance is "hard to get," a "specialty item" or because the manufacturer "has them on back order." Whatever the excuse, this scammer wants you to pay right away so they can quickly get the necessary part. The problem? They never come back — or if they do, it's only for another check.

Many companies charge a call-out fee, often equating to a full hour or two of labor, but some will roll this cost into your final bill. Asking for immediate call-out payment is fine since the contractor has performed a service, but all parts should be supplied before a check ever leaves your hand.

The "breaker-breaker" scam

This one happens when you leave a repair person alone in your home. It's easy to do; they show up, seem kind and professional, and while they're looking at your dishwasher or garage door, you suddenly get a phone call or remember the kettle you left boiling.

When you return, the repair tech sadly points out major damage they found — anything from a broken dishwasher hose to a garage sensor completely out of alignment. The catch? The repair person is the one who caused the damage in the first place. 

Protect yourself — and your appliance — by always staying with the appliance repair technician, both when they are checking out the problem and while they are working. If you're asked to leave, ask why. Unless the repair tech can articulate a legitimate safety concern, stay right where you are.

Lying about licenses

Regulations vary from place to place, so before you hire a repair service, check your state electrical regulations to see what license, if any, is required for appliance repair companies.

In Washington, for example, contractors and electricians must be licensed by the Department of Labor and Industries.

"A big red flag is if they say there's no license required," says Carl Bryant, owner of Appliance Service Station in Seattle. "Very few states require [as much licensing] as Washington state does," he adds, but some repair services will still try to pull the wool over customers' eyes.

Some scammers will also falsely claim to be certified to repair certain manufacturers’ appliances. 

"Lots of people will say 'factory-authorized service,'" a term that really means nothing, Bryant says.

"Your safest bet is to talk to the manufacturer — they're going to be able to tell you who's authorized," he says. If you aren't sure who's qualified to service your specific appliance or are worried about falling victim to a scam, you can contact the manufacturer or your appliance dealer for a list of reputable repair services.

MORE: Angie's List License Check

The "total failure" scam

In this scam, your appliance is actually damaged before the repair person arrives. When he or she takes a look, however, it's bad news. Really bad news.

What seemed like a broken heating element in your refrigerator's freezer section is in fact a blown circuit board, or completely ruined heating element. The cost, you're told, will be double or triple what you thought. You pay, the appliance gets fixed and it seems like you've gotten a good deal.

So what happened? In some cases, repair techs will try to pass off a simple repair as something more complicated. For example, if the wire connection for your freezer heating element is exposed, replacing and waterproofing the connection should cost less than $10 in parts, plus labor.

The "total failure" repairman sees this simple problem right away, but tells you the issue is much more complicated. You pay for a new circuit board and heating element, which he or she installs — along with performing the simple fix — and everything works again. But you could have paid far less.

Before you hire a repair service, the BBB recommends getting estimates from at least three companies.

Bryant also recommends doing your research before hiring by checking out reviews on Angie's List and making sure the company is in good standing with the BBB.

If you do get scammed...

If you do have a run-in with a scam repairman, the BBB's advice is to contact your local police, then report the scam to the Better Business Bureau using the online Scam Tracker.

In many cases, you won't be able to recoup any money you've lost, but reporting the scam can help make others aware of unscrupulous repair services.

MORE: Ripped off by a Contractor? Let Angie's List Try to Help

Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article that was originally posted on Dec. 4, 2013.

The following is in response to Gary's blog on the subject of renters attending financial meetings:

Read that a little closer. Since renters have no financial interest in the village, why should they be in a finance meeting? They have no vote in any meetings. They are not represented in the delegate assembly, and as I once suggested to get at least one representative for renters and it was loudly shot down by everyone including your side of the political arena, then unless you are ready to get renter representation in the delegate assembly, I suggest all the hypocritical comments end. PRINT THIS.

the reason for the bold "READ THIS" is due to their habit of not printing my comments, although they CLAIM to not censor their blog except for language.

I must respond to Gary Olman's remark that the Delegates voted for no term limits without knowing what they were voting for. Does he take the Delegates for idiots? We all knew what we were voting for as it had been discussed. Gary Olman likes to stir the pot when it is empty.

Condo termination in Florida

If this video gets out to the wider public it will cause our property values to plummet! Would you buy in Century Village if you think that your condo could be dissolved?

Thank you Mr Grossman for advertising against Century Village

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wXvK2R9RsM&feature=youtu.be

ON TERM LIMITS: AN OPINION

I agree with Gary Olman (see Bob Rivera's blog) that term limits is not "built into" normal voting. I don't know the history of term limits, but I do recall its becoming an Amendment to the US Constitution during Harry Truman's presidency, in response to FDR's having been elected to a fourth term as US president. Until FDR no president had served more than two terms.

Despite the fact FDR was a great president during World War II, there must have been sufficient agreement in Congress (three quarters of the Congress must ratify a Constitutional Amendment, I believe) that FDR's longevity in office was not a good thing. Whether this played into the decision, I don't know, but FDR did try to "pack" the Supreme Court, you may recall.

It is true, as Gary says, the incumbent often has the advantage of name recognition, but he (or she) also has the disadvantage of having made enemies, the more the longer one has been in office.

Note though, that term limits in this country would seem to be the exception and not the rule. Neither US senators nor US congressmen are subject to term limits, and Supreme Court justices serve for life. I think there should be good, solid reasons for having term limits in any particular situation, not just "We need to get rid of the old fogies" or "We need new blood." One reason the Founding Fathers decided on a six-year term for US senators was because THEY VALUED EXPERIENCE IN OFFICE. In his classic Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville, states this.

In our CV situation it is a small group sometimes called the "malcontents" who want term limits applied to the UCO officers. I believe their reasons are self-serving. A number of them have been voted DOWN by their peers. Term limits would increase their chances of being voted into office. Good volunteers have not been that easy to find here. Term limits may be applicable in some situations; I don't believe it is a good idea here. Let these people be elected to office the same way everyone else in CV has been, often starting with the Executive Board.

Channel 63 Missing

For those that have been wondering what happened to Channel 63, a power surge when the electric came back on from the outage that occurred on Saturday fried out components to the equipment that is used to generate Channel 63.  Please be patient as parts are being ordered and people are working at solving the problem.

UCO MONTHLY MEETINGS - AUGUST 2015

-

-

Dave Israel

-

INITIAL MEETING OF FINANCE COMMITTEE - 2016 BUDGET CYCLE

-

-

DATE:..................JULY 22, 2015

DAY:...................WEDNESDAY

TIME:............................10:00AM

PLACE:..........CLASSROOM C  
MAIN CLUBHOUSE
-
Dave Israel
-

THANK YOU ED BLACK AND OTHER UCO VOLUNTEERS!

This is just a quick thank you to Ed Black and the other UCO volunteers who directed traffic around the terrible accident at the Haverhill Gate on Saturday July 11th.  It must have been 100+ degrees in the late afternoon and Ed and others were directing traffic needing to enter CV back to the Okeechobee Gate.  Not a malcontent in sight, only grateful drivers!

PBSO AND COP SPONSORED SCHOOL SUPPLIES DONATION PROGRAM

-

-

Please consider donating to the school supplies program from the items on the list.

-

Bring items to UCO and thanks to our COP and of course to PBSO for sponsoring this program

-

Dave Israel

-

 



I must respond to Esther's rants on this blog as I am not allowed on her blog. She calls
the delegates foolish and calls people names, myself included. She also does not write
the truth on her blog. She says the rover only drives around on the main road because
she followed it one day. The rover goes around to every pool and checks in electronically
as I have witnessed many times at the Dorchester pool on the north side of the village,
off the main road. She still complains about Sheffield O. Does she not know from living
in the village that each association is it's own business. UCO has no authority over her
association nor any other association. It is up to each association to be in charge of their units
not UCO. This woman ran for office twice and lost twice. Her students said she is a nasty woman who thinks she knows it all. If you read her blog you can tell she dislikes our leaders
and UCO and we are foolish. What a nasty individual.

GOOD NEIGHBOR WEED PATCH CITED AGAIN!

-

-

-

Dave Israel

-

OFFICERS COMMITTEE - JULY 7, 2015 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

Officers 7-7-2015 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.

-

Dave Israel

-

Any Updates on W Fi?

I see there is a committee called "Broadband." Is that the same as the wifi committee? Is there any new news to report on the wifi issue. It was extremely disappointing to see that initiative derailed by a handful of residents.

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY - JULY 3, 2015 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

Delegate Assembly 7-3-2015 PART-1 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.

Delegate Assembly 7-3-2015 PART-2 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.

Delegate Assembly 7-3-2015 PART-3 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.

Delegate Assembly 7-3-2015 PART-4 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.

Delegate Assembly 7-3-2015 PART-5 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.
-

Dave Israel

-

Century Village founder Levy takes first steps to stop buyouts

Copy and paste to your browser:


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/century-village-founder-levy-takes-first-steps-to-/nmrQh/

Thank You......Mr. Levy

It was a pleasure to see you at our Delegate meeting and explaining to the people the truth about the situation  in Sheffield O and how they must have patience and be pro-active in their associations. I can see the love you have for the village and I know why most of us are so happy to live our senior years in Century village,  it is still a paradise to most.

H. IRWIN LEVY TO SPEAK AT DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

-

-

Founder and Developer of Century Village, H. Irwin Levy will speak on current CV concerns of interest. He has agreed to appear at the UCO Delegate Assembly meeting of July 3, 2015. The meeting will be in the main clubhouse theater starting at 9:30am.

-

Dave Israel

-

A Wake Up Call

Term Limits again? Why are the so-called malcontents always so riled up for term limits? Term limits are right in front of their faces every time you go to the polls. Every time! They keep yelling for term limits and the delegates shut them down. Is it not obvious that Most agree? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Are there problems at UCO? Of course there are, but why not try offering solutions instead of causing more problems? Stupid lawsuits or Throwing everyone out of UCO and starting from scratch isn't a solution. Not likely. There aren't enough experienced people for that to happen. They say "term limits curb the potential for monopoly"... Well let's get off the Milton-Bradley Express Circuit come back to reality.
We are a village, not state nor a nation. Our village president serves a two year term, not a four year term as in our national office. If you don't want someone in office, don't vote for them. THAT is term limit. you can limit a person to a single term, as some of our national presidents, i.e. Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush. found out the hard way.
If the delegates vote for a candidate, then that is the will of the people. If your delegate didn't vote the way you wanted, then you need to take that up with your delegate and get a delegate that votes for their association.


We have much more pressing issues than the "I don't like David Israel" faction..
We have a MAJOR problem with Associations that "Don't care what's going on in the village, as long as I'm not affected". Let me tell you, YOU WILL BE AFFECTED.  When Century Village, a 55 and over community becomes Century Village Homeless Hotel located in sunny Western West Palm Beach, a slum for one and all... When crime starts to rise, and you begin to wonder, why didn't UCO do something about screening the criminal element coming in and out of the village?(Which by the way, is the job of the Association) You will start to wonder, "Why are my property values so much lower than what I paid to live here? Then you will begin to wonder why you have to sell below market value at bargain basement prices to the greedy developers trying to call themselves benevolent by renting to the homeless while they collect their $900-$1200 a month from the city or state. Money coming out of YOUR Taxes!!! No, they won't care that you will be forced to sell to some crooked developer for pennies on the dollar for what you paid.
What will you do? What will Mr. & Ms. Century Village do now? Become a shut-in? Worry when you want to go to the pool? Will you be afraid when you get accosted at the clubhouse, or on a bus on the way to Publix to get some groceries? Or will you just give up and sell at a loss and become the burden on your kids that you said you would never be? All because you don't care what happens unless it affects you...
Wake up my friends, it is going to affect you. Some more than others, but it WILL affect you ALL!

NOTICE OF SPECIAL PRESENTATION - MARK FRIEDMAN, ESQ. - HOW TO AVOID BECOMING ANOTHER SHEFFIELD - O

-

Dave Israel

-

NOTICE OF MEETING - OFFICERS SPECIAL MEETING

-

Dave Israel

-

NOTICE OF MEETING - BID COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING

-

Dave Israel

-