The Consumer Complaints Blog

I wanted to bring to your attention one unresolved case. I am requesting this posting to be published to find if someone else encountered similar situation with the said company. At same time, if there is any advice from you or your readers on what to do to protect consumer.

This incident relates to a contractor while I was building a new house in 2009. The builder had service contract with “Accurate Technology group”, Winnipeg to rough-in alarm system and wiring for cable, phone and internet. This is covered in basic cost paid to the builder. The contractor “Accurate technology group” offered to provide additional outlets at extra cost. I had chosen to get two additional outlets and four finished outlets after SHAW cable discount at $212 CDN. There was a written agreement between home owner and the contractor. Main feature of the agreement states that the contractor won’t start work until pre-payment was made in full before start of work or 50% at time of signing design work and rest before completion.

All said and done, the house was completed in late 2009. It was almost 5 months after this incident, I received a letter from the company that I owed them dues $212. During this time, I had relocated from apartment to new house and had several sessions of cleaning house. On their request to find record of payment, I searched the house twice. I have not found paperwork and receipt of payment. However, I was able to find draft of contract which clearly states that work won’t start before payment is made in full or 50% at design & rest later on. When I contacted the compant about pre-payment before start of work, they could not provide satisfactory answer to why they did not contact for several months. And how work was completed if payment was not made. The agreement paperwork is designed by them and their employees did not follow. It is their internal business failure.

I provided my side of story. Now, the contractor is threatening to take to small court. Am I obligated to pay again to ensure that the company has record of payment? Should not they be taking responsibility of this falacy, they failed to follow their own system? This has caused a lot of mental distress and at same time, his given me strength to face it. I am still searching for resources which are available for consumers protection.

I am sending you this story to find others who would have come across similar situation with this contractor or others. And how they protected themselves. Meanwhile, I will continue to search for help, wherever possible.

I will appreciate for your support in finding similarly affected people and on how they faced & protected their interests.

Disclaimer
This article was submitted by one of our readers. Penciltrick cannot make any claims as to its authenticity but the article was accepted on a good faith belief that it is an accurate and truthful account of the events listed.