Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 18:13:40 EDT
From: Janet Jones-Parker Doublier
Subject: Terminex information
Those who use Terminex need to have the following information. There are two Terminex franchisees working in Chatham County but only one is local and has a strong customer service orientation.
I recently called to make a name change in two long-term contracts (25 and 7 years) on two houses with the intention of adding a third. I thought a mere name change on the computer was necessary; however, I was treated according to the franchisee’s policy, as a “new” customer, which meant being charged $1,000.
Yes, $1,000. My houses were measured as if Terminex had never seen them before even though they had recently been serviced. Because of this outrageous and unnecessary charge, I faxed a complaint letter to the President of Terminex. This resulted in a telephone call from the Raleigh-based franchise owner Jim Haughe.
Mr. Haughe proceeded to chastise me in an incredibly rude and obnoxious manner, telling me that he “had no idea what was going on with my houses” and he “was not going to change his policy for me”. Duhhhh, he had been servicing them, so if he didn’t know what was going on, then I have been paying for nothing for a long time. I told him I didn’t fall off a turnip truck the day before, whereupon he told me “to try and get your money back and take your business somewhere else.”
At the end of this abuse, I asked, out of curiosity, if there were a discount for multiple houses, whereupon he replied that there is “if you are a new customer” and I replied that “I am a new customer.” I think he is the one who fell off the turnip truck.
Lesson learned, don’t deal with a rude, obnoxious man who has more business than he needs and does not want your business.
There is an alternative and that is the other local franchise for Terminex, Barney Hardin, who is accommodating and wants your business. He is professional, customer oriented, I recommend changing to his franchise when your contracts come up for renewal – if not sooner.
I am taking my business to him and suggest that since Chatham County is his territory (he does a lot of work for Fitch in Fearrington Village), that he deserves our support rather than someone like Jim Haughe from Raleigh who doesn’t.
Barney Hardin of Terminex can be reached at 336/736-7875 or 919/545-2378.
At least you won’t be treated as if you were a squashed turnip.
Janet Jones-Parker Doublier
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