ComplaintsforPinch-A-Penny

• Initial Complaint

  07/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been having my pool serviced by Pinch a Penny New Smyrna Beach for 16 years at a rate of $110… Suddenly and without warning the business was taken over by the Pt Orange owners and they informed me that my AUTO pay would now be $550 a month! My husband and I are retired and on a fixed income and will no longer be able to afford to eat with this increase! We feel this price gouging is outrageous! and feel this is felonious, Usery attempt to steal from retired people. A 500% increase would make this at least a 3rd degree felony and grand theft of an elderly person. I’ve been told by no less than 9 other people that they have done the same increase to them also being elderly, retired and on a fixed income. Please look into this matter before we starve to death… Thank you!

  Business response

  07/13/2023

  Customer has made many erroneous statements in their complaint. I will respond to each individually:

  Line 1: "suddenly and without warning"

  Pinch A Penny New Smyrna Called the customer to inform them that there would be a price increase. There was never a charge made nor would there have been a charge before the customer agreed to the new cost of service.

  Line 2: "taken over by the pt orange owners"

  The store was purchased by partners. One of which owns an Ormond Beach Pinch A Penny  location, the other of which is a long time manager of the Port Orange Pinch A Penny location.

  Line 2: "AUTO pay would now be $550"

  There was no auto pay set up with the new owners, that was in fact, what we were calling to confirm along with the new cost of service that the homeowner could agree to or simply decide not to use our services going forward.

  Line 4: "felonious, Usery attempt to steal"

  We simply quoted a price for the servicing of the homeowner's pool. If they felt the quote was too high, they could, and have chosen not to use our services. This statement is ridiculous.

  Line 5: "I've been told by no less than 9 other people that they have done the same increase"

  That is complete fabrication. No additional customer names were provided (they couldn't be).

  This complaint is based on nothing but conjecture and hyperbole. The desired settlement is moot, as no monies have changed hands, no billing statement has been sent. We are not servicing the customer's pool and never will provide any service to this customer going forward. 

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