Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I provided a name, address and phone numbers of a person of interested that I was seeking information.A retainer in the amount of $750.00 was paid and posted on June 26th 2024 to Estey Associates for an investigation service.I requested for an update on July 18, 2024. ***** responded that He found the person. I did not ask him to locate the person. I already know where the person is and I provided the address. I specifically stated no to make contact in person. ***** did not need find the person. I did not get any information that I specifically requested nor any information at all three months post retainer and requested the retainer back on September 11, 2024.***** responded that he will return remaining of the retainer minus works that have been done on September 13, 2024.I asked for return of the retainer again on October 9, 2024 which ***** replied that it was already sent out in the mail.I received portion of the retainer on October 17, 2024 a long with a few line items explaining why I was only getting $122.00 out of the $750 that I paid. One of the line item was for milage to the given address which I specifically requested not to make contact.I sent an email on October 18, 2024 and requested for information he was able to gather within the stated time and effort that was spent. I have not heard back.I can only assume that line items were made up. I cannot imagine that he was not able to find any information for the time that he spent.I paid for service that I did not get anything. I would like to receive the full amount of the retainer refunded.

  Business response

  11/25/2024

  We received the information for the investigation from ** ****** and set in motion the investigation she desired. She indicated that she did not want us to contact the subject of the investigation which we agreed with and never did. She requested that we determine whether the subject was healthy and financially secure. I told her that our rates were $100.00 per hour plus expenses. I sent her a retainer which she signed and agreed to the rates.

  As with any investigation there is an amount of computer work conducted to determine the exact address becuause while ** ****** provided an address we were told it was the last one she had. The address was the same that she provided. An investigator was assigned to travel from ******** to ********* which is 63 miles one way. She was not charged for the investigators time travelling which was usually the case. The investigator travelled there 3 different day including 1 weekend day.

  A surveillance was conducted at three different days and times to observe the subject. I spoke to ** ****** and stated we ere having trouble locating the subject at his resident because he was never seen. We located his place on employment which was provided to ** ******* I inquired if she would like us to contact neighbors to determine his health and she asked us not to so we did not. She asked if he had friends which we did not know.and she was advised that it would involve an added cost.

  We feel we provided ample investigation for the the cost.

  Had we charged the appropriate amount due to time, computer costs and the surveillance it would have been much higher but we scaled back due to our concern of not being able to get her closure. Had we charged the full amount it would have been.Milleage $378.00, Investigators time 7.5 hours at $100.00 and computer work at $50.00 for a total of$1178.00. 

  We feel that we were absoluely fair to ** *******

  Customer response

  11/27/2024

  Below numbered are copy/paste of the response from Estey Assoc.

  1.  A surveillance was conducted at three different days and times to observe the subject. I spoke to Ms ****** and stated we ere having trouble locating the subject at his resident because he was never seen.

  I was not informed that there were three attempted observation.  I would like documentation of this how this was communicated to me.  I never received it.

  2. We located his place on employment which was provided to Ms *************** never received his place of employment.  I would like the placement of employment copy of how this was communicated.

  3. I inquired if she would like us to contact neighbors to determine his health and she asked us not to so we did not. She asked if he had friends which we did not know.and she was advised that it would involve an added cost.

  I was not asked if neighbors should be contacted or the added cost.  I was asked if I wish a message be delivered to the person of interested which I made clear not to.

  I ask documentation on each of the numbered above.  I ask anything they found out about the person of interested. I ask that they turn over any information they have gathered because I did not receive anything. 

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