? - 3/07 - I have filed complaints concerning Terminex's faulty work and deceptive practices. They are unbelievably non responsive to complaints.

Cayucos, California - 3/07. Terminix inspected for termites and fumigated the house in January 2007.  They said they had their own construction crew that would do all the construction that was in their report.  Terminix agreed that the porch and other construction would be replaced exactly as it was. They agreed to use the same material and same quality of construction. We have not found that to be the case. Terminix used the cheapest wood, substandard construction, and have not completed the project as they have reported. It looks like they gave wood, nails, and hammers to 12 year olds and told them to build a porch. We received one billing statement in February 2007.  The bill says the work was completed, and it was not.  We gave Terminix (Santa Maria, California) a chance to correct this problem; they did not do that. Due to the lack of completion and the continued use of cheap wood and substandard quality of work, we requested Terminix stop all work at the house. We requested a full investigation of the fumigation and quality of construction to be done by the Structural Pest Control Board.  We requested Terminix refund the monies they have been paid, which is over $9,000.  We will use that money to start over again with a different company, have a new pest inspection, and build a new porch using a top-quality construction company. We received a third statement from Terminix stating that the work was completed and requesting payment in full.  This statement also says that we are 30-60 days late with payment.  The work is not completed.

Poughkeepsie, New York - 3/07. As I was in the process of remodeling my home, I found evidence of termite damage in the rear addition.  For peace of mind, I thought it would be wise to put some sort of termite protection in the rear of the house to prevent future damage.  We were in the process of tearing down the entire back wall and rebuilding from the foundation up with pressure treated lumber.  When the Terminix rep arrived here, I showed him the damage and wanted to protect the back.  (His name is Robert Greco.)  He advised me that he would not warranty the house against damage unless he put traps around the entire house.  There has never been any sign of termites or damage in the front of the house; but after some consideration, I decided to let him proceed as long as I was going to get full coverage against future damage. He again told me that if ever there was termite damage to my home, I would be covered and they would repair; replace etc., whatever had to be done to restore my home.  He then measured the perimeter of the house and came up with $1600 + tax to put the traps out. I agreed, although I knew that doing the front was not necessary or what I had asked for. He then sat at my dining table and wrote a contract which I did not see. When he finished, he called (I believe he said Helen) and said that everything that we had discussed was approved.  All that I had to do was to sign the bottom.  He shoved the contract at me and said sign here. I did and he got my credit card, called it in, and shoved the paperwork into a folder and left.

When the building inspector came about three weeks later to approve my construction to get a final CO, he asked about the traps.  I told him the story, and he advised me that Terminix would want a yearly fee for the warranty. I assured him that that was not true because I was totally protected by putting the traps around the entire house, that there was no fee.  It was then that I called Terminix and asked what was going on.  They told me that there was a yearly fee of $400 to have that warranty.  I assured the lady on the phone that it was not true, just ask the salesman who sold me this job.  At this point, she asked me if I read the contract.  I told her no that there was no need to.  The salesman told me everything that I had to know and I agreed to what he said.  Turned out, he lied.  She assured me that I would not get a penny back that I should have read the contract.  I told her, that if I did read that entire contract, we would probably still be here. I told her that for termites to eat down new construction might take 20 years, which she agreed. I asked her why they even put down the traps.  If I pay you $400 per year times 20 years it would be $8000.00 plus the $1600.00 I already paid would be $9600.00. To replace my back wall again could be $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.  They didn’t need traps with an income like that.  I asked why the salesman had to lie to me to get the job.  She again said it was entirely my fault for not reading the contract.  I have never been a victim of fraud and did not know exactly what to do.  A friend of mine told me that he had a similar problem and the credit card company helped.  I called my credit card company, and they put a hold on the funds.  Later they called me and stated that Terminix did not fight for the money and that it would be credited to my account. About two weeks later, I received a letter from their collection agency and a nasty call informing me that I have to pay the collection agency in full. I refuse, so I have to see where it goes from here.

Gillette, Wyoming - 2/07. We called the Terminix company and asked if they spray for bed bugs. They did so we agreed to have them service our apartment.  They inspected our apartment, not very good I might add. The inspector just took a look in one corner and said “OK.”  We’ll be back tomorrow at 9 a.m.  He told us to wash all our things.  We then asked if he took an out-of-state check of if he preferred cash.  He said he preferred cash, but he’ll look into the out-of-state check.  We decided it would be best to pay cash to save him the hassle. We did ALL of our laundry and took everything out.  We had placed everything in bags and put them in our living room.  He came back the next morning and looked in then he said, “You’re supposed to take everything out, out of the apartment.” We looked at him and said well why didn’t you tell us that? We just spent $100 washing everything at the laundromat. We called the Terminix office, and they agreed to spray with our stuff still in the apartment, even though we told them we could reschedule. They were pretty persistent on coming the next day and even guaranteed us a free 2nd spray if our problem did not end. So we agreed and were ready the next day with cash in hand.  We paid the two men dressed in protection jumpers $65 in cash and asked that they leave a receipt. They agreed.  When we got back to inspect our apartment, there was no receipt to be seen. So we called the office right away and asked why we did not receive a receipt. They told us that they would bring us the receipt the next time they came to spray our house. We agreed and set up an appointment for two weeks later. The next week the guy who sprayed our apartment came to our door and asked about the bugs, I told him that there were still a few, because we had got bitten.  He then confirmed the appointment for the following week.  When the day came for our 2nd spray, we called because there was bad weather and was wondering if they were still going to come out and spray or if we had to make another appointment.  The office said that they we’re still going to come out and spray.  No one showed up. We called the next morning and asked why.  The office said we didn’t pay them for the first spray. We said. that we paid cash and even asked for a receipt. So she agreed to talk to the guys who came to our house. They said we tried to pay with a check but took it back and didn’t give him any cash. (Note: Where we paid the man there is a security camera.)  They then told us that they didn’t know who to believe, the employee or us the customer.  So we then proceeded to ask for services if we then paid again. She said that they could no longer service us because we didn’t pay the first time. But she would do us a favor and cancel our bill of $50. “$50.00! We paid $65.00.” They then gave us a number for Orkin.  We are now in the process of obtaining the security tape.

Quincy, Illinois - 2/07. I used to have Terminix but they just got too ridiculous in their prices and their service stinks.  The guy is always late and is never here at my house for more than 10 minutes at the most. A high-pressure salesman keeps calling me trying to sell me termite protection and even had the nerve to just come knocking on my door after I told him no! He quoted me a price of $1,400.  I called a local company and they quoted me a price for the exact same protection of only $750.  What's up with that?  The Terminix termite salesman prey on old people by scaring them into thinking that their house is going to fall down around their heads from termites if they don't fork out $$$ for the termite protection and that just ain't right!  One of their salesman tried to goad my mom into their protection and told her that termites will even come into her bedroom at night and eat her bed!!!!!!! I was so mad I couldn't even see straight! They're all a bunch of lying sacks of @#%$! anyway!  When I called their office to talk to the branch manager about his salesman’s lying techniques, he laughed and hung up on me.  I called right back and the gal that answered the phone said he wasn't there!!!! Don't trust Terminix people! It is in your best interest not to, and they'll just take your money and laugh the whole time they're doing it!

Virginia - 2/07. I have been a customer of TERMINIX since 1979. You would think that customer loyalty would count for something.  I transferred my contract to my new home in Gainesville,Virginia, when I moved here in 2003. Since then, having TERMINIX perform their pest service has been an exercise in frustration. They have rarely notified me before they come; and then when they do, they merely treat the outside despite knowing that I work at home and have left instructions for them to ring the doorbell.  On Thursday (02/08/07), I received an automated telephone call that I would receive service on Friday morning. At 3:45 PM on Friday, I called the office only to learn that the technician had never picked up my “ticket.”  The office agreed to reschedule me for Monday morning (02/12/07), but again did not show up.  I called the 1-800 number to complain and was told that a manager would get back to me before close of business on that day.  It is now Tuesday evening, and no one has called me back. IS THIS ANY WAY TO RUN A COMPANY???