TERMINEX VENTING

That’s venting. Not TENTING. We do NOT have termites. But we do have a Termite Bond with Terminex and today we were supposed to have our yearly inspection, but it didn’t work out. So I’m venting about how ridiculous this experience has been.

Back in November, we got a postcard from Terminex saying “We are coming out to do the inspection on November…whatever.” I don’t remember the exact date, but it was in November. Well, in the Fall, getting time off from work to meet a serviceman at the house is next to impossible, and besides which, our contract starts in March, so why were they bothering us about November?

So I called them, and they said “You can have the inspection done any time between now and March.” So I said, “Well, good! Then let’s do it in February, when it’s easier for me to get time off from work.” So the November “whatever” appointment was cancelled, and it was set up instead for today, February 22, from 2-4pm.

A few weeks after that, on November “whatever,” we got a note on our door saying “Terminex was here, we inspected the exterior of your home.” (Oh, and btw, no sign of termites.) But I call them and say, “Why did you come out today? That appointment was CANCELLED. I was assured over the phone that it was CANCELLED.. We have an appointment set up for February!”

They say, “Well, you really just need an exterior inspection.” Oh really? Then, since the exterior inspection has been completed, and we don’t need an interior inspection, then let’s cancel the February appointment.

Okay. Appointment cancelled.

In January, we get another card, saying “Time to set up for an interior inspection.” So I call and ask why we are getting this card. “Well,” they say, “it’s a good idea to have an interior inspection done also.”

That’s NOT what I was told on the phone last time I spoke to Terminex, but we don’t want to do anything to invalidate our Bond, so we agree to the interior inspection and set it up for…once again…February 22nd. But from 4-6pm instead. The lady on the phone tells me it’s February 22, from 4-6pm.

Yesterday I get an automated call: Don’t forget your inspection on February 22, from 4-6pm.

Well, I haven’t forgotten it. In fact, Russ and I have made arrangements to get our of work early so we can be here to meet the serviceman. But when we get home there is a note on the front door: We were here today, February 22, at 12:45, and did an exterior inspection. (No termites.)

So I call: why did you come out today at 12:45 when we have a scheduled appointment for 4-6pm? Why did you do another exterior inspection when one was already done several months ago? And why did you even bother to send me an automated phone reminder saying the appointment was from 4-6pm, and then come out instead at 12:45?

No good answer to any of those questions. The person I spoke with said they would have a supervisor call me. Needless to say, no one called.

Russ called the 800 number and they said someone in the local office must have switched our appointment and FORGOT TO TELL US. What kind of company switches your appointment without your consent and then forgets to tell you???

Russ set up an new appointment for next Saturday. Needless to say, I will be calling them every day between now and then to confirm and then reconfirm the appointment. I’m not entirely sure it will actually take place as scheduled.

Next year, when we get the card, we’re going straight to the local Terminex office to confirm the appointment and GET IT IN WRITING. Not really sure how much good that’s actually going to do us, but I’m sort of hoping that they might feel more obligated to honor a commitment they put down on paper.

This whole experience has been extremely frustrating. But at least we did get home ahead of the rain, and had a great chance to sit down and watch our Dark Shadows episodes for the week.