? - 8/98.  I was just upset with Terminix because they can't seem to solve my termite problem. Now I really wish I had chosen the other pest control company I got an estimate from.  I 'purchased' the Sentricon system from Terminix because nothing else was working in keeping termites out of my house.  After having the system for five months, I have more damage than ever.  When I called the company about it, they said they would come out and spray but couldn't get out for two weeks. They also informed me the replacement contract I have wasn't good until AFTER they eliminated the colony.  A lot of good that does! I have been very disappointed with their service and also the way they have treated me when I call. I only hope that when my first year's contract is up, I can switch the monitoring to another company.  I'm sure they have some small print somewhere prohibiting me from that!

? - 8/98.  I wish I had thought to use the Internet 3 years ago to check out Terminix’s reputation.  My parents hired them to treat their house for termites. To this day, their house is still infested.  Yesterday, I contacted the Attorney General’s Office and we are going to file a complaint and/or claim. My question is, how do we decide what to ask for in our claim. My mom's house obviously has much more damage from the termites.  I have not found on the Internet what steps to take.  We do not have money for an attorney, and I don't want to "settle" for a refund and discover her house is beyond repair.  Terminix has been to my mom's house 7 times this year and are rude and unprofessional.  I don't want them in the house again. They lie to her and I feel are trying to take advantage of this situation. She pays for a warranty, and I don't know what the warranty covers, if anything.  I live out of state from her, which makes taking care of this difficult.  My brother is faxing me a copy of her guarantee, and I'll go from there.  If you or anyone else has any suggestions it will be appreciated.

Georgia - 8/98.  I bought a house in Georgia which was under a termite contract from Terminix. The house was infested, and guess what, talking to Terminix is like talking to a pillow. It has taken me months to unearth the facts, and now I am trying to determine my legal standing.  I will keep you posted and send you information. I am now not confident about prevailing for anything.

Missouri - 7/98.  I have recently been victimized by Terminix in St. Louis. I am a new home owner and had no idea companies like Terminix did such tactics.  A month ago, I contacted Terminix, and they sent a technician to my house.  This technician altered the original contract quoted to me on the phone. He said each technician adjusts the price of service based on the needs of the house.  If I paid him cash, he would do the contract for half price.  He also agreed to do seven treatments inside and outside. He wrote everything down on what I thought was an official Terminix contract and signed it. Terminix fired the employee after he conned several other customers. Terminix told me they refuse to honor the contract, because they are not responsible for their employees’ actions and I should have known something suspicious was going on.  They did agree to credit the moneys paid to a new contract or to give me a refund of the money lost.

Florida - 7/98.  Just found your web page after having another experience with this company. What a nightmare.  While my situation isn't anything close to yours, it has got to be one of the most frustrating, lackadaisical, ill mannered, unorganized, unprofessional, BIG named companies out there. Keep fighting them.

3/99 - Update. Terminix eventually got out here but not without me calling repeatedly, haggling, threatening....not a joyful experience.  They arrived about 8 hours after they were supposed to be here.  My whole problem with them is that they apparently subcontract out the actual tenting, so while you think you are dealing with a company with a ‘reputation,’ you are dealing with an independent contractor whom they really don’t have any control over either.  They told us we could come back into the house the next day; and my husband, who is blind and does not drive, was dropped off by a friend that night - because they told me that we could occupy the house at that point. He couldn’t even stay in the house because of the fumes, and he had to sleep outside.  Florida in July is a fun time to be sleeping outside.  I was still at my mothers with the animals 30 miles away.  There was nothing to resolve - I don’t think Terminix actually cared one way or the other. They came in and tented and felt they had done their part - end of conversation. Frankly, I really dislike Terminix and all the people I had to deal with during this period.  They did nothing to make it anything other than a miserable experience.

Note:  The following complaint was submitted in June 1998 to Terminix - Consumer Alert! and posted at that time. It was removed when, following his attorney’s advice, he requested it be removed as any publicity might harm their case. It is my understanding the case went to trial, the plaintiffs lost, the court ordered the plaintiffs to not discuss the case, and the case will be, or is, on appeal.  It is my decision to now re-post the complaint; and inasmuch as Terminix - Consumer Alert! has not had any communication with the plaintiffs since before the trial, the plaintiffs are not in violation of the court-order.

Georgia - 6/98. I have a civil action against Terminix in the United States District Court Northern District of Georgia, Civil Action No. 1-97-cv-2046-ode, for breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, environmental pollution, nuisance, trespass, damages to realty, and wanton negligence.

[We] leased a building from Terminix in February 1994. At the time, we were unaware of an abandoned pesticide storage area on the leased premises. We were told at the time we leased the property Terminix would remove the storage shed and all abandoned material.  There were numerous barrels labeled salvage and pesticide bottles, truck containers, and what is called a 500-gallon rinse tank which was experimental at that time. We knew nothing about chemicals, rinse tanks, toxic chemicals, reportable quantities, storage and disposal laws, all which we have learned since 1994.

We invested a considerable amount of money and time to remodel the building and start up an antique store. During this period, a strong pesticide odor was always present.  At first, we thought Terminix had sprayed the building for our arrival; but after we had painted and installed new carpet, the smell still existed, and we noticed during the same period we were nauseated, had headaches, and felt fatigued. Two years later, laboratory test results proved we were being exposed to high-level concentrations of toxic chemicals which were leaking out of the containers in the abandoned storage area left by Terminix. We made numerous calls and wrote letters to Terminix, which went unanswered. Four months passed, and we were aware of the intensity of the odor and understand that Terminix, through the language of the lease, was making us liable for EPA and EPD laws concerning pesticide storage and disposal of the material left by Terminix. We were told nothing by Terminix about the site which now we know was a pesticide salvage storage site. We also were unable to get liability insurance for the business because of the “toxic site” left by Terminix, which prevented us from ever opening our business.

Months felt like years.  By this time, we suspected the problem was coming from the back lot.  We retained counsel and he instructed me to take samples and pictures and video myself doing this, at which time, I became extremely sick, vomited, and ended up in the ER for chemical exposure and put on oxygen for several hours. At this time, we were advised that no action was going to be taken by Terminix, and we did not feel we were responsible to engage a company for an estimate of $30,000 to clear the site properly.  Finally, Terminix, under pressure from many sides, attempted initial removal. The pesticide storage shed was there until the day we terminated the lease.  We never officially opened for business and felt that Terminix had a wanton disregard for our well-being. Now we sit in District Court.  We know by the extremely severe symptoms, along with all the facts of this case, that our lives are definitely in danger of expiring prematurely. The way we feel, we may not make it to trial.

Tennessee - 5/98.  Another dissatisfied Terminix customer.

? - 5/98. I, too, am having a problem with this outfit.  I admit I was late making a few payments of $31.09 due to a financial setback. After being informed by phone that I was late on my payments (twice), I informed them about my problem and that I would get my payments up to date. After making such payments, I was requested to appear in court.  As of this time, my payments were paid up to January 15, 1999.  Their law rep informed me Terminix wanted their money in full and I am to appear in court in June (98).  It’s not the money that matters; it’s the way I feel that they are treating me like this.