SAN ANTONIO – In 2022, Daniel Clough faced a tough situation when his air conditioning system started failing. For his family, it was crucial to invest in a high-quality replacement system that would ensure a safe environment during his home dialysis treatments.
As a retired Border Patrol agent, Clough relies on a special bacteria filtration system connected to his HVAC equipment while undergoing these treatments. To finance this essential upgrade, the family agreed to monthly payments exceeding $300.
Recently, when the Clough family decided to sell their house, they ran into a surprising financial issue. Upon contacting Aramendia, the company that installed the HVAC system, they were shocked to learn they owed a staggering $22,368.57.
“There’s no way I can owe more on a system four years later,” Clough expressed, clearly frustrated. It turned out that Clough’s monthly payments were not contributing toward owning the HVAC system but were actually for an Advantage Service Program, which he was not made aware of initially.
“I wasn’t told initially it was a lease or I wouldn’t have done it,” Clough lamented. “We were there to purchase an A/C unit, not lease a service contract.” This misunderstanding left Clough feeling deceived about the ownership of the equipment installed in his home.
Seeking Answers
Clough attempted to reach out to Aramendia multiple times for clarification. Unfortunately, he was met with roadblocks, as employees said they couldn’t discuss specific account details and directed him to a marketing executive at Service Experts, the parent company of Aramendia.
When KSAT News followed up on Clough’s situation, a company representative indicated that they would investigate and address his concerns. “I’ve asked our Customer Care team to follow up directly with the Clough family immediately,” they stated.
Company Contacts Family After KSAT Inquiries
After KSAT’s inquiries, the company reduced the buyout amount to approximately $8,600. Although this reduction was significant, Clough felt that he should have been better informed about the terms of the agreement when the system was initially installed.
Similar Complaints Found Online
Interestingly, Clough is not alone in this experience. Online reviews reveal that other customers of Aramendia and Service Experts have expressed similar frustrations upon discovering they still owed thousands of dollars despite making regular payments for years.
For Clough, the whole experience has been disheartening. As he prepares to sell his home, he hopes that by sharing his story, he can help others avoid the confusion surrounding financing and service agreements. Understanding the terms clearly before signing contracts is crucial for every consumer.
