The matter has to do with an unconscionable, gross overcharge for the repair of a bbq.
To begin, the initial service call was performed late saturday afternoon, july 2. The charge for the service call was $150.00, in cash, paid upon the end of the service visit. After examining the bbq, i was told by the service person that the problem with the bbq was a defective regulator, and that the regulator had to be replaced. The service person informed me that the regulator had to be ordered, and that he would return the following friday to make the repair, depending upon receipt of the regulator. The additional charge for the return visit was $363.02. Foolishly, i wrote a check for that amount, and the service person departed, having received the $150.00 cash payment plus my personal check for $363.02. The following days were sunday and monday (july 3 & 4 - business closed). At the first opportunity, tuesday, july 5, i called the manufacturer of the bbq, lynx company, to find out the cost of the regulator. They informed me it was $15.00, and that it was a simple matter to replace the old one. I ordered the item and subsequently upon having received it, replaced the regulator myself. Nevertheless, realizing that i was being so grossly overcharged for this item replacement, i immediately called Fast Appliance Service canceling the $363.02 order, and that there was no need for them to make the return visit.in addition, i requested the check i had written be returned to me. The person i spoke with at the company said they would do that. I told the company representative to return the check to the address written on the check. They said they would do that, too. Foolishly, taking the person at their word, i did not place a stop order on the check. However, several days later having not received the check i again called the company; the representative told me they were "taking care of it, " and i assumed they had merely torn it up, and that that was the end of it. It was upon my receipt of my bank statement (july 26) that i discovered, rather than having torn-up the check they had deposited it, and that the check had been paid. I immediately called the company, wherein i was abruptly told to read the contract, that they had no obligation to return the money, and then rather abruptly hung-up the phone on me. Needless to say, i was enormously upset about this, recognizing that i had been defrauded, and of course blame myself for not having stopped the check.
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