Last night I was minding my own business, just getting ready to sit down for dinner at 6 p.m., and the doorbell rang. Little did I know it would be almost 11 p.m. before I would have my house to myself again.
Not in the market to buy anything, I put on my mean face and told the man at the door just that. He proceeded to tell me about his products to make my home a "smart home." Things like security cameras, alarm systems, voice controlled systems, and top of the line thermostats.
He then said that because my house was on a corner lot it was chosen to get all this stuff for free (including the install) in return for a sign in my yard which is highly visible to a lot of traffic. Well, free sounded alright, so I let him in.
Next thing I know he is having me pick out what I want, and signing his iPad. Then without any sort of consent there are installers in my house putting all this stuff in.
Finally he asked for my credit card. So I told him I thought it was free. He said the equipment and the install are free, but I have to pay for the monthly service. At this point all the stuff is half installed, so I feel stuck. I then ask how much it is... $85 a month. Seems steep, so I asked him to show me what I was being charged for. Right on his paper it says I am paying monthly for the equipment. He said it was just the way they explain charges but the equipment was indeed free.
The sales guy then leaves, but the installers are there until 11 p.m. on a school night for my young kids.
Now I have all this stuff in my house that I don't even really need/want, a new $85 bill each month, and I found out through reading the paperwork that I have a five year contract. Plus, I was reading reviews about this company today and 95% of them are horrible.
WHAT DO I DO?!