ComplaintsforTri County Dental Supply, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a new equipment and it is not functioning properly. When I inquired About returning the defective product, I was directed to a warranty line and after going over any issues, the product was deemed defective. I need to return this product and need help in doing this!

  Business response

  07/13/2023

  Hello Team,
  
  we reached out to Dr. *** through his cell-phone as well as email but he is totally unresponsive.
  generally our policy, with any equipment that comes with warranty, is to go through manufacturer to resolve any issues, but Dr. *** has not been co-operative, even though i was working to get him some sort of support, he would either decline or not respond at all.
  Even though i have requested the equipment to be shipped back to manufacturer with provided return label via email, he has not responded on that email or on the text as well (which i sent him for follow up).
  Here is the tracking for that label : *****************6 (UPS), there is no activity over there right now.
  so now it is just upto you to decide, to see who is co-operative and who is not.
  
  Thanks and regards
  ******* ******
  

  Customer response

  07/14/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

• Initial Complaint

  09/30/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company is defrauding it's customers. They are selling expired warranty supplies and equipment. They were even banned from a Punjabi Dental Society for defrauding it's clients. They are selling things that no longer have a valid warranty. They also are defrauding the government by asking cash and not reporting said cash to IRS. They are setup as a retailer for DCI EDGE and not delivering or installing said dental chairs which is a requirement as a dci certified seller. The complaint has been submitted also. They are overpricing dental equipment as if they have warranty and they do not. meaning the value must be much less due to the nonwarranty factor.

  Business response

  10/05/2021

  Hello BBB Team,

  We would like to give you some background on this specific customer before we proceed to respond to their complaint & if anybody would have complained except this customer we help them anyhow (since other customers pay on time or beforehand). We first dealt wit this customer back in January, 2008, when he purchased almost $60,000 worth of equipments he paid roughly about $19000-$20000 in span of 32 months, at that time the owner of Tri County Dental Supply, got to know that the landlord of Dr. ***** *****’ clinic was about take possession of the equipment which we sold to Dr. *****, due to non-payment of rent to landlord, but somehow, the owner of Tri County Dental Supply got in time and took the possession and he had to liquidate the sale of those equipment since they were used by Dr. ***** during those time and lost warranty as well so, we took the huge financial loss as well at that time and also we had to WRITE-OFF Dr. *****’ all account due to non-payment.

  After this whole incident, Dr. ***** came again to Tri County dental supply to purchase equipment in May, 2016 since this time he was going to buy the building first and he wanted to pay for equipment first as well. So he started paying for “JUN-AIR 2 HEAD COMPRESSOR” since then and completed payment in October, 2018 (after almost 28 months), then we gave him possession of the equipment he asked for, at that time it was the deal for showroom Belmont chair packages in as is condition!

  Now, we would like to respond this line by line, we sold this customer 2 showroom Belmont dental chair packages & every time they visit our showroom, they always have different thinking and change the chair packages every time. we have sold 2 showroom model DCI chairs to this customer in as is condition (totally unused) & out of 2, one chair package is fully brand new, as we made customer aware that we need to order some equipment specially to make it identical (except upholstery color). We gave them what they want in the deal just like anyone goes to car dealer and pick any showroom car (just like that in as is condition with all negotiations) they also did same thing, first he liked some thing and then he changed his mind too often but we negotiated the deal with free stools and cabinets with installation through our technician!

  Now everything was held back since we have not received the whole payment, we gave them some options that they can pay us some amount of down payment $6000 on top of the payment we had received so far, so we can deliver rest of the equipments, even though we have not received that payment we let them pickup some equipment and they were trying to tell us we did not keep all equipment ready for pickup, we had told them strictly that we need payment of $6000 (still we were trying to help with even having their bad business history) and we deliver rest, but they denied it !!

  Regarding the deal of installation of equipments through our technician “Severo Sanchez”, they contacted him and got some work done and never paid him at all and they later on blamed my technician that he did this and that. My technician and his helpers spent almost a day to do his flooring and he didn’t pay him at all. So, since beginning their (Dr. ***** and his daughter’s) intentions were not to pay. So due to this fact we denied delivery and installation and offered them cancellation of the deal for all remaining equipments which were not picked up (on or after 07/01/2021), then they decided to pickup the rest of the equipment from our showroom (at that time still the had not paid $6000 another down, our main requirement)

  Now, getting back to their complaint, we never defrauded our customers, we let our customers know what they are getting, e.g, showroom equipment or boxed equipments or any short expiry date materials, and we have never been banned from Punjabi Dental Society, we have good relations there and if we want, we can set up a huge meeting for their all dentists as well which we have done in past, so this is entirely wrong. Regarding invalid warranty of equipment, where it is stated in law that out of warranty products cannot be sold, everyday lot of out of warranty USED cars are getting sold at higher price especially, right now due to higher demand and shortage of inventory, same thing is going on our line of business as well, so we sold them this showroom packages (1 package in full warranty & 1 out of warranty) but in totally UNUSED condition, they were sold as is, so if they had any issues withthose packages, why they went for it and complained to you later on, they have been thinking about getting those chairs since 2018- DUE TO change of mind of Dr. ***** regarding chair company (I mean like Come On, we have been keeping that chair for that long, of course, warranty will get expired if you ask manufacturer right now about that warranty), if they wanted those chairs back in 2018, they would have been in proper warranty as well but they chose to wait and not to pay in full as well, so the statement regarding warranty is totally invalid. And also, we back our products, we recently sold showroom package to one Dentist and he was not happy so we took the chair back and refunded him after deducting all labor spent. Regarding delivery and installation, reason has been explained above already.

  Regarding defrauding government by asking cash, actually Dr. ***** chose to pay by cash, we don’t know where he got this money in cash from and that is not something we never ask as well. We actually have all records that howmuch he paid in cash and how he paid using credit card. We have charged them sales tax regardless the mode of payment, I have attached transaction history on his account with us in past and some recent as well,

  Regarding overpricing dental equipment, they chose to buy from us, we never asked them or ordered them to buy from us, in southern California, there are so many vendors for dental equipments but they till came to us, you know the reason for it, (BAD CREDIT HISTORY), the owner of Tri County Dental supply still tried to help, But no, they want to handle different way so, we have told them if they want rest of the equipment, they can pay us in full, the rest of the amount or, we can pick up recent equipments (which were picked up from our showroom, on or after 07/01/2021) and refund them.

  All of this happened before we got their compliant through BBB. So, yes, we gave them resolution but they chose to threaten us with lawyer and BBB medium and funny thing is all of this without full payment of the equipment!

  I have attached all necessary screenshot and invoices regarding business history, I am not attaching any text conversation we had so far over the phone, but if needed, I will provide it to you!!

  Customer response

  10/13/2021

  Let me begin by stating, please do not involve others. Most do not know the avenues to submit proper complaints against companies like you. It is very unfortunate that customers can’t expose your fraudulent ways. 

  Regarding you dealing with me in January 2008, let's discuss point by point. 

  1.   To avoid any financial loss, I personally contacted you to pick up the equipment. Most of which was paid off. Which I kept nothing of. 

  2.   Jan. 2008 purchased said equipment package, and I did not receive delivery and installation until 8 months later. All while paying rent and the 32 month installment plan of $700.00 per month. The delivery was full of issues. Equipment damages, leaks, breaks and defected parts of the dental units. The pump leaked water from the beginning. All problems were always documented and reported to the owner ******. Requests were never processed and issues continued. Tri-county never fixed the problems that were covered under warranty. 

  3.   The warranty was supposed to cover my expensive equipment. However, not once did I receive the proper certified support and repair. This is what this business does. They have a responsibility to the client as certified sellers to give certified technical support and warranty and they fail the customer because they are not certified due to complaints and compliance.  

  4.   Losses and liquidating the dental equipment: I closed my office due to recession and medical illnesses in December 2009. This means there was no write-off. The equipment which was leased, was picked up in working order and taken to his warehouse where it was resold at a profit. In this business I lost more than $25,000.00 which I never retained a single item.

  5.   Furthermore, my explanation to these attacks are to confirm the unprofessional nature of Tri-county dental and it’s owner ******. There is no relevance in this complaint for him to bring any of this up. However, let's clarify this with the actual truths.

  Now, proceeding with the actual complaint from 2016 - present. 

  1.   May 2016: Returned to purchase some dental equipment. Asked the owner for in-house financing. He accepted monthly payment arrangements of $500.00 for 3 years. Obviously, he is fully aware of my financial situation. Moreover, if there was such an issue with me from 2008 he wouldn’t have continued doing business with me. 

  2.   Jun air 2 head compressor- Saw this compressor and asked if it was silent. Was told it was. Because they didn't have a 230 volt connection, I couldn’t hear the noise of the machine. I confided in his professional capacity and duty as a retailer to tell me the truth regarding the device purchased for $3,600.00. When I first saw the machine, I was told that I would receive the new model to my office. After paying in full, I was given a used dental compressor without the original box, booklet and damages to the connections. Such damages were not seen until I connected it with 230 volt in my office as recently as Sept 2021. He also denied me my right as a customer of an item of such expense; a certified delivery and technical hookup and support. Moreover, I was supposed to receive a warranty from the manufacturer and from his company. Both which at this point I have never received nor will I ever. I have proof that the compressor was damaged and now we request from jun air the manufacturer to send us the broken part at a cost. Which we are still waiting for.

  3.   Belmont chair package: I went to make a payment. I didn’t see the chair I had agreed to purchase. It was no longer in the warehouse. I asked what happened to my dental chair. ****** stated that he sold the chair to another dentist who paid him in cash. But not to worry, because he would give me the new belmont chair package when I decided to open my business. 

  4.   Belmont chair #20 package: The chair ****** wanted to sell me was discontinued under the belmont corporation. And as a vendor he had an obligation to notify me of this. I searched and asked other dealers which advised me not to purchase due to this major problem. What he wanted was to maliciously sell this package, get rid of the chair from his showroom and make a profit all while affecting me in the long run. 

  5.   Cabinets: ****** tried to sell me used, refurbished cabinets. I choose not to purchase this due to the lack of certified warranty and tech support. I do not know where or from whom he took these items from, but I was not going to purchase these affected items. 

  6.   Reason why we returned to the showroom time and time again is because this business continued to change things on us. They tried to sell us other things that we did not need. And telling us one thing and doing another. 

  7.   There is no as it sells with these prices. Especially not when it comes to merchants selling dental equipment under their supposed certified retail umbrella. Plus if I am being given a warranty and tech support there is no as is. And not once did I sign any document stating as is. 

  8.   I am glad you stated package. What I was forced to receive was not a package. It was an incomplete purchase. I was very clear I would pay upon certified delivery and installation of the whole package. And neither have occurred until date. Which was placed in the price. If you go to any company like their competitors they have to provide this in order to sell the equipment. This is why TRI-COUNTY DENTAL is no longer a retailer for DCI for being unprofessional and noncompliant. Moreover, they are even suspended from the Franchise Tax Board. Meaning they can not even conduct any type of business let alone sell or receive money. 

  9.   Do not compare car dealerships and dental equipment; it's held to another standard and you are well aware of that. Your company has a legal obligation to deliver and install these expensive equipment with certified and licensed technicians which this company doesn’t have. 

  10.                And there is no deal with any free stools. I have nothing free from this transaction. 

  11.                Regarding the whole payment, ****** was well aware there would be no more payment until there was certified delivery and installation. Both haven’t occurred. 

  12.                You didn't let me pickup. I had money invested and paid for. This equipment was purchased and as such I needed it to be delivered. Your company continued to lie to me saying today, tomorrow, the next day. All while losing work, and delaying my grand opening and creating undue financial burden against me. I needed all this setup to receive my business licence and certificate of occupancy. The same delays as 2008.

  13.                Also, tri-county was supposed to at least set up the chairs properly to get them delivered. I hired a moving company to pick it up and they were not ready. I had to take the day off to set up one dental chair. I told ****** to set up the other one because I had to go home. The next day the moving company came and the dental chairs were in such bad condition. The chairs were not wrapped correctly and they had damages that the movers took pictures of. As a retailer, your obligation is to make sure the things are well placed. And well set. 

  14.                We were very clear. WE WERE NOT GOING TO PAY ANYMORE MONEY UNLESS THIS WAS DELIVERED AND INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TECH. Yet they did not provide any of this which was paid for. I had to pay for delivery which cost $1,800.00. And a tech has quoted me $5,000.00 to set up the dental chairs. 

  15.                Their dental chairs were also given to the delivery company incomplete. The inspection for the city was supposed to happen the next business day. Yet another delay. Which is well recorded. 

  16.                Please do not involve third parties. Because technicians in the area do not want to work with you because of your lack of ethics. Like Montero Dental Tech and many more. So, I was never going to allow an unlicensed person who has no idea what he is doing to touch my dental pipes and equipment. And, regarding Severo Sanchez, I have a certified documented proof stating what he attempted to do was not complaint. And regardless, this is not relevant. Your responsibility was to provide another tech point blank. And you can’t because no other tech wants to work for you and get paid nothing by you. 

  17.                Your company is banned from Punjabi Dental Society and you know it. 

  18.                Used cars aren’t the same as dental equipment. Hence why DCI has removed you as their seller due to being unprofessional, unethical and noncompliant.  

  19.                And you are suspended from Franchise Tax Board - feel free to call and ask. 

  20.                If warranty is expired by the manufacturer- as a retailer you provided it for 5 years. You stated this time and time again. So, please spare me your cheap excuses. 

  21.                My daughter asked Mike, ******’s assistant, for a receipt for a cash payment. And he asked several times why. She stated it was for her records and for her taxes. He stated no, you can not deduct because you're paying in cash. But, that is for the IRS to figure out. And for the other purchases you charged me sales tax, not the actual tax of California. The rate is also incorrect. Which is something that the Franchise Tax Board of California has to deal with. 

  22.                My credit history luckily is above 700s. So, your false claim aren’t needed here. And yes, I have gone to several other companies and they all confirm these practices are fraudulent and unethical from a merchant. 

  23.                You have not tried to help. If you want to to help these are your two options: 

  a.   Get all your things back. Refund me my money 100% and pay for my days off of work, delivery, installation and other damages. ($10,000.00).And for additional damages ($150,000.00).

  b.   Or complete the delivery, get a certified tech to set up my dental equipment and then I will gladly pay the balance minus my losses and damages. With full warranty from the manufactures DCI, Jun air and the vaccuum pump.  

  24.                Why don’t you attach the text messages of you saying you're coming and never show up. And all the business we have lost because of your malicious and unprofessional behavior. 

  25.                And yes, if you do not resolve this soon, I will continue with my attorney and we will go to court. Which is my legal right to proceed with companies such as yourself. 

  26.                In conclusion, this is unfortunate that you are conducting yourself in this manner. From the beginning both parties agreed with the payment plan. Which was never done satisfactory by Tri-County Dental.

  Sincerely, 

  Dr. ***** 

  
  

  Business response

  10/13/2021

  Regarding dealing with us in January 2008,

  1.   regarding payment, the payment was never made in full, Dr. ***** didn’t pay rent so the landlord was going to take the possession if Tri County hadn’t intervened, it could have been long gone. Also, no payment was made in time at that time, which we have also documented, and our accounting member can give you such details.

  2. Regarding defect, defects like leaks, are part of wear and tear, and any company will deny the repairs if they have issues on payment from customers, especially leased one where payments are not made on time

  3. Jan. 2008 purchased said equipment package, if any customer receives any damaged equipment or product, we always help them out, in Dr. *****’ case, they never paid in full as well, so they could have denied the whole deal but no, they kept it, what else could be the reason. For 8-month delay, their dental was not ready as well with lot of other issues at the place like they have right now.

  4.   The warranty: As per manufacturer, Warranty is for parts only. Labor is not covered in warranty; every customer has to pay for the labor to fix any issue or replace the parts. Yes, we do have a responsibility to the client as certified sellers to give our client proper technical support and warranty on parts. Check with our all clients and we have fixed everyone’s issue if so, in timely manner if not late.

  Everyone is happy about the equipment they have received so far.

   

  4.   Losses and liquidating the dental equipment: Dr. ***** closed his office due to recession. Recession not only hit him, it hit everyone else including us with lot of business loss. Regarding write-off, yes because Dr. ***** used the chairs during those time and payment was never made regularly on time, falling always behind, or our accounting team has to call, so if anyone one else is taking possession of the equipment, Tri County has to come into picture and take the possession, it is like any person is not making any timely manner payment for his/her leased cars, then financial companies take the necessary steps. In that business Dr. ***** may have lost $25,000.00 but during that time Dr. ***** used the equipment and made profit out of it and making late payments

   

  5.   Our simple explanation to this is, if any customer is good with payment, we give them the best service, we have other customers as well to whom we give equipment on credit but they pay us on time as well, we don’t have any complain for each other. We also have to run our business and pay our employees as well.

   

  Moreover, there is no written contract we have with customer about the delivery and installation of the equipment

  We have just simple thing to say, if they had bad experience with us previously, why they would come to us to purchase more equipment, there are plenty of suppliers in South California itself where they can purchase

  we do not want to discuss any further on this deal, We are not asking them deliver our chairs, we are just asking them to let us pick up the chair (considering they may be still in good condition) which they have picked up last month from our location and we can refund them for the amount they have paid for the chairs. We gave them  this as the best option to avoid any of this mess and we move forward on our ways.

   

   

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩