Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/05/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This service plan was 4 treatments. The service was solicited in 2021 at the door of an elderly woman living alone, my mother. A treatment was completed and paid for (Ck **** 105.93 8-16-21). After finding this out, (I am her POA) I called and discussed it with the office to cancel the series of treatments, due to taking advantage of an elderly person. She is 88, has dementia, and has since moved to assisted living. 1/12/24 she is receiving a collection notice for $305.93 from *** ********* **** ** *** ***** ********* ** ********** (************. Thank you ***** ******* POA ************

  Business Response

  Date: 02/14/2024

  BBB:

  Thank you for the opportunity to respond.  I have already responded, independently, to the Complainant, ***** *******.  

  Here at Midwest Pest Control, we are a family owned business (with elderly family members of our own) and honestly and integrity are the highest values to which we ascribe.  We certainly NEVER want to take advantage of a senior citizen.  On the other hand, we never want to deny a senior citizen the opportunity for pest control, simply because they are old.  Often our best successes for our senior citizens come from working with concerned children, such as the Complainant.  

  We began our service with **** *******, the Complainant's mother on 6-29-21.  **** entered into a contract with us for five paid services:  an initial service and four quarterly services.  As we much prefer with older customers, we were connected with the Complainant at least as early as 7-7-21.  She did not object to our contract nor provide us with any information that we should NOT provide her mother with pest control.  Rather, we were led to understand that the Complainant--who had access, as power of attorney, to the portal of our pest control site--would be the one to pay the bills.

  Accordingly, we provided excellent pest control with an initial service on 6-30-21; and two quarterly services on 8-5-21 and 11-8-21.  At one point there was an unpaid balance that the Complainant had not taken care of.  Our office administrator, *******, spoke with the Complainant on 12-20-21 and the Complainant promised that she would pay the balance that was owing for our services.  That was never done.

  At that time (nor any prior to this action), there was no complaint that we were taking advantage of her mother and her age and, indeed, that has never happened.  It is important to note that the Complainant, as power of attorney, has been involved in this transaction from almost the beginning.  Hence, if there are any issues being raised regarding taking advantage of an elderly person, they are completely unjust and unfounded.

  Almost two years later, when the amount that the Complainant agreed to pay was not paid, the account was closed with the contractual early-termination fee and was sent to collection.  It is a this point that the Complainant came forward proclaiming that we were taking advantage of her aged mother.  Wanting to resolve this, I reached out to the Complainant to withdraw this from collections, forgive her mother of the early termination fee, provided that the Complainant simply pay the invoice she told us would be paid back on 12-20-21.

  Yes, there are always two sides of a story.  As I look at both sides of this story, I cannot help but see a side that involves the Complainant who, as power-of-attorney of her aging mother, has not taken care of her mother's bills and has created this problem of which she now complains.  Having said that, I am not in a position to judge her.  I am happy to help get this matter resolved, and as indicated, have made a very fair offer to do so.

  Thanks!

  *** ******, ** **********, Midwest Pest Control ***** ********

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/22/2024

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  My mom paid for the initial contract fee and one additional service, at least. I first learned of this company because they asked for a check at moms door.  She was agitated and didn't understand but immediately wrote them a check. I sent them an email not to bother her at the door again (attached). I argued with this guy on the phone twice to cancel the contract. He was actually spraying the common area of the townhouse association, and she only owns the inside of her home. We did not solicit his services. It is disgusting to take advantage of an elderly person living alone, and she has since moved to assisted living. I take care of her affairs quite well, and my own. I have a credit rating of 840.  This jerk needs to stop calling, sending emails and texts and notices.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

  Business Response

  Date: 02/23/2024

  Thank you for this opportunity to respond.  We have nothing to add.  Everything we have submitted is true and accurate.  If there is anything you need, the service agreement, for example, just let us know; we are happy to provide it.  We really are not "*****," but rather a family-owned business, always trying to be fair and honest with our customers.  We would very much like to resolve this issue and have made a very reasonable offer to do so, with no response.