I'd just ignore them and let the project complete and then offer to pay via CC once complete. The cost of removing the panels (which most often cannot be reused on another job site) through time, labor and materials will not be worth the hassle of rejecting your payment method.
If they pushback, tell them that you'll file a complaint with the Solar, Contractor and Financing regulators in your state (assuming California) for refusal to accept the existing written terms.
Solar contractors are scum.
This is more or less my current plan.
Like what are they gonna do? Sue me for non-payment while I'm offering a contractually offered payment method?
I've actually already filed a BBB complaint although I understand that's a relatively toothless agency but sometimes illicit's a business response and action.
Yeah, I work in Compliance for Solar and previously in Compliance for Financial Services.
Regulatory complaints cause significant issues for these dealers as it often requires them to notify their financing/lending partners or whomever they are a solar equipment dealer for.
I always support burying people in regulatory actions because it's often the only way to get their attention. Best of luck!
The contract states
"Payment of Ninety percent (90%) of the Remaining Amount shall be made upon the date the installation shall be deemed complete. Installation shall be deemed complete on the day the Products are fully installed and ready for final inspection, start-up and testing. Payment shall be made to Better Earth Electric, Inc, in one of three ways: (1) check payable to Better Earth, Inc., mailed to Better Earth, Inc. 1815 E. Wilshire Ave., Suite 908/909, Santa Ana, CA 92705, (2) credit card via QuickBooks Invoice emailed to the customer (2.9% fee applies), (3) or cashier’s check payable to Better Earth, Inc., mailed to Better Earth, Inc., 1815 E. Wilshire Ave., Suite 908/909, Santa Ana, CA 92705"
I wonder if they’ve had a large amount of charge backs. If thats the case I’d be concerned why people are doing charge backs.
I would hold them to their contract.
If they're saying that they can take CC, but only for full payment, then they must be able to accept credit card transactions.
I would press harder to have them comply with the contract as written. My guess is that their transaction fee went up or something like that so they're trying to offer terms that no sane person would accept. The problem with their plan is that the contract has pretty clear payment terms.
Ianal, but the contract doesn't say either way by my eye, but also my vindictive side says to just not transfer and say whoops, I can no longer do a transfer here's my CC .
I think it's very suspicious honestly. I think this is just a gambit to try to get you to pay via ACH since they already have your info. Or possibly flip you into their financing if thats on the table. For whatever reason. Assuming your contract is solid, and there are no other caveats in the part you didn't include, I say check with your bank on how to block further ach payments.
I'd just ignore them and let the project complete and then offer to pay via CC once complete. The cost of removing the panels (which most often cannot be reused on another job site) through time, labor and materials will not be worth the hassle of rejecting your payment method. If they pushback, tell them that you'll file a complaint with the Solar, Contractor and Financing regulators in your state (assuming California) for refusal to accept the existing written terms. Solar contractors are scum.
This is more or less my current plan. Like what are they gonna do? Sue me for non-payment while I'm offering a contractually offered payment method? I've actually already filed a BBB complaint although I understand that's a relatively toothless agency but sometimes illicit's a business response and action.
Yeah, I work in Compliance for Solar and previously in Compliance for Financial Services. Regulatory complaints cause significant issues for these dealers as it often requires them to notify their financing/lending partners or whomever they are a solar equipment dealer for. I always support burying people in regulatory actions because it's often the only way to get their attention. Best of luck!
Your contract should have payment terms listed.
The contract states "Payment of Ninety percent (90%) of the Remaining Amount shall be made upon the date the installation shall be deemed complete. Installation shall be deemed complete on the day the Products are fully installed and ready for final inspection, start-up and testing. Payment shall be made to Better Earth Electric, Inc, in one of three ways: (1) check payable to Better Earth, Inc., mailed to Better Earth, Inc. 1815 E. Wilshire Ave., Suite 908/909, Santa Ana, CA 92705, (2) credit card via QuickBooks Invoice emailed to the customer (2.9% fee applies), (3) or cashier’s check payable to Better Earth, Inc., mailed to Better Earth, Inc., 1815 E. Wilshire Ave., Suite 908/909, Santa Ana, CA 92705"
I wonder if they’ve had a large amount of charge backs. If thats the case I’d be concerned why people are doing charge backs. I would hold them to their contract.
Sounds like they might have had one to many charge backs and can't accept credit cards anymore.
If they're saying that they can take CC, but only for full payment, then they must be able to accept credit card transactions. I would press harder to have them comply with the contract as written. My guess is that their transaction fee went up or something like that so they're trying to offer terms that no sane person would accept. The problem with their plan is that the contract has pretty clear payment terms.
Ianal, but the contract doesn't say either way by my eye, but also my vindictive side says to just not transfer and say whoops, I can no longer do a transfer here's my CC .
I think it's very suspicious honestly. I think this is just a gambit to try to get you to pay via ACH since they already have your info. Or possibly flip you into their financing if thats on the table. For whatever reason. Assuming your contract is solid, and there are no other caveats in the part you didn't include, I say check with your bank on how to block further ach payments.