Dublin Mom Regrets Free Trial Offer

A Dublin mother is feeling regret after agreeing to a free trial for a home security system.

Laurie Sresthadatta admits she made a big mistake when she caved into pressure from a door-to-door salesman, agreeing to try out the Platinum Protection home security package which, ironically, promises customers peace of mind.

"I said yes because I wanted him out of my house," Sresthadatta said. "It was 5 p.m. in the evening, I was tired. I just got home from work. Kids were screaming for dinner. I wanted him out."

Her logic may have been, but the result proved to be worse. What was supposed to be a five-day, no-risk trial turned into a mess. Sresthadatta said she waited only a day to fax in her cancellation order, but three days later, the company took $252 out of her bank account. As a result, she and her two boys have been forced to eat what they have on hand.

"I don't get paid again until August 3rd and I don't have money to grocery shop now," Sresthadatta said. "We have no money for milk and fruit and bread, the essentials we need... I want them to come take the system out, give me my money back so I can go grocery shopping."

When a Platinum Protection technician came to remove the system, NBC4 was there as Sresthadatta confronted him ten days after she agreed to test the system and six days after the company debited money from her bank.

"It says you would not charge me for three days. Why, at less than 24 hours later, am I charged if I cancelled on time?" Sresthadatta asked.

"I have no idea," the technician responded.

"Are you aware that your company is doing this?" Sresthadatta asked.

"Yeah," the technician responded.

The technician told Sresthadatta that Platinum Protection would send her a check in the mail within seven business days. Eventually, the technician offered an apology, and he offered something else.

"If you would like I can run to the bank right now and pull out $200 if that will make you feel better?" the technician proposed. But ten minutes after he left, the technician called Sresthadatta to say he did not have enough money. Sresthadatta would have to wait for her check in the mail.

Five minutes after our story aired on NBC 4 Thursday night, Platinum Protection called NBC 4 to say that they have mailed Sresthadatta a check for a full refund. Platinum Protection Manager of Legal Affairs Mike Melzer said the company explained its refund policy to Sresthadatta in its contract and asked her to verbally acknowledge the policy.

Melzer said the charge to Sresthadatta's bank account occurred before she canceled the service, but because of delays in processing appeared to take place after her cancellation date. Melzer said the company was waiving another written cancellation notice for Sresthadatta in order to expedite her refund. Melzer said the salesman did not recall offering Sresthadatta a five-day free trial.

The Ohio Attorney General's office has received 14 complaints about Platinum Protection.

The Better Business Bureau has received 429 complaints about the company, but Platinum Protection has a solid history of refunding money to customers after they cancel, and all 429 BBB complaints have been resolved or administratively closed.

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