Locators - Locators News Incorporated Deceptive Advertising Practices West Chester Pennsylvania

About 7 years ago, I was looking for a new apartment. I was only 18 at the time, so landlords were reluctant to rent to an 18 year old with no credit. As I searched through a newspaper one day, an apartment was listed, when I called the number listed, it so happened to be locators. That's where the lies started.

I spoke to a gentleman who told me he had many apartments available and that what was listed in the paper was just 1 of many. I asked him if I could see the place. He promised to arrange an appointment. He said he was the middleman between the landlord. He told me that Locators was in a "network" of landlords that would take a "Locators" applicant over a typical applicant. He also said he has a list of landlords who are looking for renters. He told me the landlords only advertise through locators because they trust their renters. He eventually got me to pay $100 to get the listing of places I could rent-no hassle! So he claimed.

When I got the lists, they were the same lists as the ones in the newspaper. When I called the numbers, they were disconnected, most people did not have a vacancy in YEARS or they never even heard of Locators and didn't have a vacancy. One property manager demanded I give her Locators number because she was tired of people calling for apartments she didn't have! Out of every list of 20, only 2 were valid, but they were already rented out!

When I called for a refund I was told I should not have been made those promises. Then they told me my contract stated I needed to get at least 6 weeks worth of listings first. (funny, the contract I was sent said 30 day money back promise!) I did 6 weeks of lists as they requested, called numerous times for my money. I had to leave messages for the manager, who NEVER returned my calls. I reported them to the BBB and they still never called, wrote or refunded my money!

Lesson learned for me. I was young and foolish.

I was surprised to see them still advertising in a newspaper after all these years!

Stay away from this company! It's a scam.

P
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.