Slomins Unjust Contract Extension Hicksville New York

Slomin's The Family Company That Doesn't Care About Your Family

At what time does a company final realize that they are wrongfor Slomin's NEVER. We have been to court twice, pre-arbitration and arbitration, and both time the arbitrators (two different ones) have sided with us. At the second hearing the Arbitrator even had us leave the room so she could scold a Slomin's representative who was present. A week after receiving the Arbitrators ruling (which included past case precedence) we received another court summons informing us that Slomin's is pressing forward for a Trial De Novo. Even their representative who was present at the second hearing said I understand what you are saying and I am on you side but they (Slomin's) will continue to pursue this because they have a signed contract.

Our story begins happily in 1995 with the purchase of our first house and the free installation of our Slomin's Alarm in exchange for a 5 year contract. We happily continued our service with Slomin's until June of 2005 at which time I called to cancel because the siren on the alarm was not working correctly and we were planning to relocate in the next couple of years. I was told that they could fix it for FREE because it was probably just a lose wire. By this time we had two young children and had grown accustomed to the safety of the added security the alarm provided, so we agreed. Also, we figured a home with a working alarm would be an added selling point.

Unfortunately I chose to trust the company I was paying to protect me and I decided not to miss a day of work, thus leaving my wife home alone with our two young children when a Slomin's Repairman and Sales Agent paid a house call. The Sales Agent said he was there to register the alarm with the Nassau County Police Department, which included us giving him a check for $75. While my wife if registering the alarm with the sales agent she is trying to keep an eye on our trusty repairman who needed to travel from basement (control box) to garage (siren), all the while carrying around our four month old son and chasing after our two year old daughter. When all is said and done Mr. Repairman and Mr. Sales Agent, who arrived together, both leave together..in under a twenty minutes.

Two years later we sell our home. Upon calling Slomin's to cancel our service we learn we still have 3 years remaining on a 5 year contract so we owe $1,234.60.

Us - "How can that be? We had the system installed in 1995".
Slomin's "Yes, but you had it repaired and SIGNED A NEW 5 YEAR agreement".

After a few more calls and emails, Slomin's sends us the contract that my wife unknowingly signed in 2005 along with the work receipt that clearly states Check Siren. After receiving a few more bills which I refuse to pay, I finally speak to someone in charge. I tell them the story written above but they still take the company line that we have a contract and owe $1,234.60 (or $695 to make it go away ala Tony Soprano). When my wife called to talk to a supervisor she was told that they would not care and after she insisted she was told hold on, I am going to forward you to the Butcher Department. Even the people in their own company know there modus operandi.

The most unbelievable part is not only are they suing us for the remaining 3 years on the contract but also 60% of the cost of installation of the Alarm.THE ALARM THAT WAS INSTALLED IN 1995. You would think that after 11 years the alarm would be paid for, but not in Slomin's world. Since when does a twenty minute visit for a simple repair merit a five year contract?

I will update this site with the outcome of our Sept 10th court date (and details of the previous Arbitrator decision with precedence case) ..or before if Slomin's has a change of heart and does the right thing.

Steven
East Meadow, New York
U.S.A.