And I have no one to blame but myself. I failed to read a contract, or at least failed to properly understand it.
I thought by paying a yearly fee to Orkin for termite inspections of our home, and needed re-treatments, after the initial treatment [tenting] in 1990, we would be covered for any future structural damage [caused by termites] that might occur. Isn't that what insurance is for?
Well as it turns out, the so called Orkin guarantee, does nothing more than guarantee they will retreat (at no charge) if termites are found. It doesn't matter whether they were negligent in performing annual inspections, and missed termite infestations, or if their re-treatments had been inadequate, it isn't their fault if termites return, and structural damage occurs 20 years later.
[note]Sort of sounds like the health insurance industry. You pay your premiums, but there's no guarantee the insurance company is going to cover your health care expenses.[/note]
So now after paying Orkin some $4000 in premiums over the past 20+ years, we're faced with spending some unknown additional amount for structural repairs, which Orkin conveniently happens to be in the business of doing as well. They're giving us a price this afternoon.
Now if that doesn't sound like a scam to everyone out there, than nothing should.
On top of all that, and what might even be a bigger hassle is we have to bag up all our food [and wine], in preparation for tenting, and spend 3 days in a hotel (at our expense), which with two cats, is not what I would call a vacation.
And here I thought I was depressed a couple of days ago. :(
So my one suggestion to everyone, if you're paying a fee to Orkin or some other exterminating company [actually any company], for what you may think is insurance, check your contract, and make sure you know what is covered. Don't be surprised like I was!
But on a more upbeat note, it looks like Edie's latest treatment protocol [Bendamustine + Dex] is showing good results. Her free light chains have shown improvement, so she is going for a third treatment on Tuesday, provided of course her other blood counts aren't any worse than last Monday's results.
I thought by paying a yearly fee to Orkin for termite inspections of our home, and needed re-treatments, after the initial treatment [tenting] in 1990, we would be covered for any future structural damage [caused by termites] that might occur. Isn't that what insurance is for?
Well as it turns out, the so called Orkin guarantee, does nothing more than guarantee they will retreat (at no charge) if termites are found. It doesn't matter whether they were negligent in performing annual inspections, and missed termite infestations, or if their re-treatments had been inadequate, it isn't their fault if termites return, and structural damage occurs 20 years later.
[note]Sort of sounds like the health insurance industry. You pay your premiums, but there's no guarantee the insurance company is going to cover your health care expenses.[/note]
So now after paying Orkin some $4000 in premiums over the past 20+ years, we're faced with spending some unknown additional amount for structural repairs, which Orkin conveniently happens to be in the business of doing as well. They're giving us a price this afternoon.
Now if that doesn't sound like a scam to everyone out there, than nothing should.
On top of all that, and what might even be a bigger hassle is we have to bag up all our food [and wine], in preparation for tenting, and spend 3 days in a hotel (at our expense), which with two cats, is not what I would call a vacation.
And here I thought I was depressed a couple of days ago. :(
So my one suggestion to everyone, if you're paying a fee to Orkin or some other exterminating company [actually any company], for what you may think is insurance, check your contract, and make sure you know what is covered. Don't be surprised like I was!
But on a more upbeat note, it looks like Edie's latest treatment protocol [Bendamustine + Dex] is showing good results. Her free light chains have shown improvement, so she is going for a third treatment on Tuesday, provided of course her other blood counts aren't any worse than last Monday's results.
Comments
What a ripoff!
If it makes you feel any better, my sink is leaking and my husband is capable of fixing it, but his gut is currently in the way.
And how timely is your post? Clark Pest Control was just at my house and they are Green Pro certified. Maybe you should check for a new pest control company as well.
As it turns out, the quote Orkin provided for the repairs was $1700, consisting primarily of repairing some fascia board. He called it structural, but it really isn't.
It seems inspecting for structural damage is a lot more involved. I'm not even sure they're capable of doing that. More simply put, he couldn't say if there was any structural damage.
Still this whole deal is a real scam. I just haven't decided what to do about it.