Terminix - Page 6

UTAH -- My horror story began in 1990 when I was hired at Terminix to run a pest control route. I wondered why all the employees had such low morale, and why the company had such a high cancellation rate. I was soon to find out. I was never issued safety gear, nor goggles, and the manager routinely carried pesticides in his Dodge Aries. A BIG SAFETY VIOLATION PER STATE LAWS. I was given a uniform shirt to wear that was 5 sizes too big, and was so old and worn out that the material was almost see through. I was not issued uniform pants for at least 3 months, which forced me to wear jeans. At least my jeans weren't worn out like that nasty shirt was. My family was appalled a what they gave me to wear! A billion dollar company couldn't even afford to provide professional uniforms. That should have told me about how things were to come. I had to print my own MSDS/label book on my own time. I was never provided a proper MSDS/label book that was required to have on each service vehicle that carried ANY pesticide on it! I was given a company credit card to put fuel in my service truck. It was declined on more than one occasion! I was repairing my spray equipment when I got pesticide in my eye. I immediately went to an Urgent care facility and handed the nurse MY copies of the MSDS and label book that I made. 4 months later I received a notice in the mail that Terminix never paid that bill so I was being held responsible for the fee. Yep, Terminix has a terrible credit rating too, and now you all know why. We were required to spend our own money on phone calls to customers during the day as well, leaving me with NO funds for lunch, or even a soda! The regional manager at the time told me to take it off my taxes! He knew darned good and well that I could not do that! I ran out of chemical once and was told by the manager to use water. I never ever did that to any of MY customers. I cared about my customers! My next injury occurred when I was begging the manager for an OSHA approved ladder for an upcoming service that had drop down ceilings. I needed to get into those ceilings to do a proper service. My begging all week long didn't help, so I was forced to use a rickety old wooden one at the job site(it was an office building). The ladder collapsed when I was up on it, and I was flung into a desk twisting my leg upon impact. I was laid up for 2 weeks on that injury and I was also black and blue. I was never offered Workman's comp, nor disability pay for that.

I later had to have surgery on my belly, and the surgery was done on a Thursday. I was told by my manager that I had to be back by Monday am, and if I wasn't there then I would be fired. I showed up on that day, and I couldn't even stand up straight. I was only able to do one account that day, and I went back to the office in tears begging to go home. I was in horrible pain. All the manager said to me was "What about your route?" He didn't care about anything but the almighty dollar. I also witnessed a certain salesman at the office managers computer late one night...I had stopped by the office to turn in invoices from that days services. I didn't want to turn them in in the am. This salesman was at the office managers computer deleting other employees and salesman's names off of legitimate contracts that others had sold. He was then putting his name down as the one that sold them in order to get a commission from someone else's sales. He was also deleting "active" accounts and "reselling" them under his name so that he could get a commission from those as well. Terminix doesn't pay their employees well enough(20-25k a year). So this is what these people are forced to resort to. Yep, dishonesty at all levels. I also found a form that was titled "Job Stability Checklist". There were questions on it such as questions to ask the applicant...

1. Has employee lived in area over a year?
2. Is applicant married?
3. Has dependent children?
4. Has had more than 3 jobs in the last year? 3 or more NO answers renders applicant ineligible for employment.

There were a few more questions, but I do not remember what they were. So, since I was not married, nor any children, I was immediately ineligible for employment from this company. NOT FAIR, and I suspect highly illegal! They are probably still doing this as well. Now I wish I could have gone back and made a copy of it. So, after reading this, do you really want someone working for a company like this in YOUR home? Not me! Your home is your biggest investment. Protect it at all costs. Do NOT let these idiots anywhere near it! After reading what goes on behind the scenes, I will let you make your own judgment on this one. Servicemaster also owns Merry Maids, Tru-Green Chemlawn, and American Home Shield. I understand that these other companies also have a high number of complaints as well.

So, my advice to you out there is to save your money and use a reputable company. There are exterminators and companies out there that really do care about their customers and their work. Too bad the Servicemaster and Terminix companies are NOT one of them.

DULUTH, GEORGIA -- I have a Terminix contract for an annual termite inspection. Scheduling service with them is good and they call me to tell it's time for inspection. We then setup the time, which is quick, and with no problems.

BOGART, GEORGIA -- Terminix came out two weeks ago to do our pest control. We have a quarterly service and it's set up that they automatically come out. They call about two or three days before they're gonna be here. The technicians do the outside of my house and sometimes I'm not even in contact with them, but they're always very nice and friendly. They've always done a good job and I have not seen any pest since having their service.

ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA -- I had Terminix with my previous home and we got their service again when we moved. The tech is friendly and really knowledgeable about what to do. He comes every three months to spray and comes back if I have an issue in between. We were having an ant issue the last time he was here and we still have some ant issues now, but I can call the tech to come back and spray.

DULUTH, GEORGIA -- Terminix performs an annual termite inspection for us. They call me and let me know when they'll be in town. The technician was nice, good, helpful, and didn't mind me tagging along while he did the inspection. He also peeked in our attic while he was there and told us how Terminix also provides insulation. He tried to upsell me on mosquito control but we're okay with that. We haven't had any pest activity since we've been receiving Terminix services and it was a good experience overall.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE -- The first time Terminix came out was for preventative purposes, but we've told them that I have ants. They put granules down outside. They had to come back today and they sprayed liquid spray. He said we should not see any more ants. However, it's too expensive so I'm not sure if I'm going to continue with it or not.

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND -- We've used Terminix for a year and a half on a regularly scheduled checkup. We had termites right after we bought the house and called them and now we no longer have termites. The technician that came out was great, prompt, on time, and did a thorough job.

BOGART, GEORGIA -- Terminix treated the house a few years ago. Now, we're under an annual contract for termites so they come out to do an inspection once a year. I can always count on them to call us if it's time for the inspection and they come. They're very professional so it's a very satisfactory experience for us.

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA -- Terminix comes out here every three months to spray the yard for insects and pests. They came two months ago to do our termite inspection and the tech was real good. Scheduling our service and our interactions with the reps were good as well. The technicians do a good job and are very courteous and polite.

RICHLAND, MISSISSIPPI -- I recently had a pest control service from Terminix. For years, I have the same pest control man every time and he is very informative, and answers all the questions, tells me everything he knows and goes above and beyond to explain.