We had a contract with Florida Solar to install 6 solar panels on our roof to heat our pool. The contract was signed on April 28, 2007. Florida Solar did not install the panels within the 7-10 days specified in the contract. We paid them a check of $2000 deposit and they cashed it right away before the right to recind date on the contract had passed. The people at Florida Solar avoided our calls and were not returning our messages when we called to try and find out when the panels would be installed. When we finally got in touch with them after the 7-10 day window had passed, we said we wanted a firm date when the panels would be installed or we wanted our money back. On Thursday, May 10th, my husband reached the sales person from Florida Solar and he told us that the owner himself committed to make sure the panels are installed no later than Tuesday May 15th, 2007. The owner then left my husband a message stating that he wanted to make sure that the sales person relayed his message to us that the panels would be installed by Tuesday. Tuesday, May 15th rolled around and the panels did not get installed. The Florida Solar scheduler called and left a message on our answering machine but said nothing about why they weren't installing the panels that day. She just said that the panels would be installed sometime in the next few days and they'd call us back to let us know when. At that point, my husband and I both left messages yet again with the sales person, the customer service rep, and the owner. The person that finally called us back was the Sales Manager. He argued on the phone with me for a half hour while I demanded my money back. He had no good explanation as to why the panels were not installed by the previous Tuesday as was promised by the owner. He refused to give my deposit back and said he would talk to the owner and call back the next morning with a final answer.
The next morning the Sales Manager and the customer service rep. called my husband and argued with him for a half hour. They had not indicated that they had ever spoken to the owner about our issue, and they continued to refuse to give our money back.
Over the period of the last month since we signed the contract, my husband and I have left countless messages on the voicemails of the scheduler, the sales person, the customer service representative and the owner. We only had our calls returned twice. On May 16, 2007 we sent Florida Solar a certified letter stating that the terms of our contract were not met by them and we wanted our $2000 back. We stated we would take further action, including formal complaints and legal action if we did not hear back from them. We have not heard back from them since they received our letter. I left a message last week with the owner and he did not return my call. My husband has left messages with the owner, and the calls have not been returned.
I will not go into great detail of what they have said on the phone, except to say that they have been rude, have tried to avoid talking to us, have outright lied to us, and have been unethical. I have never had such a bad experience with another company before. I am so disappointed not only that I can't get my money back, but to see that there is such a dishonest company out there potentially preying on other consumers. They owe me my $2000 back because they did not live up to their contract and have not provided their goods/service. At this point, I am left to pursue this in court.
Note, I know I am not the only customer of Florida Solar that has been going through this. There is even proof on the Complaints.com website that there is at least one other consumer that has given money to Florida Solar and has not received any goods/service. I have exchanged e-mails with this other Florida Solar customer and found out that she paid a $1100 deposit, yet Florida Solar has not provided any goods/services to her either. She is ready to proceed in court against Florida Solar as well. I know she would be willing to speak with the media, like I am, so I can have her contact you if you choose to pursue this story.
The BBB has now rated Florida Solar as unsatisfactory. I believe there are other Florida Solar customers reporting on the BBB site that are going through the same thing I am, but I do not yet have proof. There are several recent reports on the BBB site that say Florida Solar has not resolved the consumer complaint.
My husband also found on a Seminole County court ruling website that Florida Solar has a judgment against them from April 2007 for $246,000. The company that is owed this money is a pool equipment supplier (likely one of Florida Solar's suppliers).
It is my opinion that Florida Solar is stealing money from new customers' deposits to pay their other bills. I am very concerned that this will continue to happen to other people in Orlando. I would really like to get my money back, but I'd also like to ensure this doesn't happen to others. The word needs to get out and Florida Solar needs to be confronted by the media to prevent this from continuing. Please contact me and I can give you more details of what I know!
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