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ComplaintsforWhite Knight Pest Control
Current Alerts For This Business
In May 2024, BBB began contacting White Knight Pest Control to address the underlying issues of disputes regarding sales practice issues, cancellation, and service concerns. BBB requested that the business respond with an outline of the policies/procedures, actions they are taking, and other efforts they have in place to help address and eliminate the underlying issues regarding these patterns.
BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints wherein consumers allege they were sold with promises of no obligations and acknowledgement of signing a contract alleging they did not sign one but received acknowledgment of a contract.
On May 31, 2024, BBB submitted a written request to White Knight Pest Control, encouraging them to address these patterns of complaints. Based on the evaluation of the consumer complaints, BBB files indicated that this business has a pattern of complaints in the last 90 days alleging:
- Sold with promises of no obligation agreements.
- Receipt of acknowledgment of a contract without signing one.
- Failure to receive contracted services.
On June 10, 2024, the business responded by stating that they have put a policy in place where their technician does not service a consumer’s home unless there is a signed agreement and a payment account on file. White Knight Pest Control included in their response their uptick in complaints is due to growth in adding 7 new offices in the last 3 to 4 months, Blitz sales teams selling in a specific area for a short time, and seasonal growth between April through September due to an increase of pest activity.
White Knight Pest Control responded to BBB’s cancellation concerns stating only one complainant provided a 30 days’ notice. White Knight provides the option for consumers to receive their last service and are advised to immediately call to ensure that the 30-day written notice is given or to close their account immediately and pay the 30-day notice fee.
Regarding the pattern of complaints from consumers alleging non-receipt of services contracted White Knight Pest Control outlined they have four options for the customer.
1) 30 days to make payment to allow time to fix the problem.
2) A Manager’s Visit – White Knight Pest Control will send a manager out to talk to the customer to get a full picture of the pest issue and to service the home.
3) Cameras on all service trucks.
4) 3 full-time auditors to review the camera footage and the service provided by White Knight Pest Control’s technicians.
White Knight Pest Control responded they have also implemented:
1) Conducting a welcome call to ensure that customers know and understand what they have signed up for expectations, and clear communication lines are open.
2) Continue to conduct service audits with cameras on their technicians daily.
3) Continue to improve training with their technicians twice a week in person at White Knight’s office.
4) Continue to train in the field increasing this to 3x weekly with technicians with management supervision.
5) White Knight Pest Control has purchased communication software for their employees and sales teams can better communicate policies, procedures, updates, as well as any service or sales concerns that are general for the masses.
6) 1x1 weekly meetings with technicians and office staff.
7) Scheduled executive meetings to discuss improvements.
8) Sales concierge meetings with managers that deal directly with sales reps.
BBB will continue to monitor incoming complaints and review the file again to evaluate the outcome of the actions and steps White Knight Pest Control is taking to address the pattern of complaints.
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Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
07/29/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
The rat baiting service we used was sold to White Knight in May 2024, but we weren't notified. We assumed service continued as usual. After an emergency issue, I learned from the old service that the company had been sold and got White Knight's contact info. They couldn't come until Monday, which we accepted. They claimed we hadn't paid for May or June, but didnt have our billing email. I provided it, and our accountant paid for the missed months by credit card.On Monday, White Knight arrived for the emergency call but mistakenly performed a different began spraying for bugs inside the office. When I stopped them, they left without addressing the rat traps. I contacted their office and learned they had us listed for monthly pest control, not rat baiting. After clarifying our contract, they updated our service to rat baiting. I also discovered they had stored our credit card info without permission. I asked how they could with no permission and was told they had to have on on file. Again, they had no permission. I called White Knight to ask why we paid for May and June if they hadn't provided rat baiting. They said they had sprayed outside, but I requested a refund since that was not covered under our contract. I was told a manager would call me back.During the call, our office dog came in and became ill with throat convulsions after drinking water. I asked the manager for the details of the poison used inside. She assured me it was pet-safe but provided information showing it isn't safe for all dogs and it's not safe unless it's dry. It must have been sprayed in or around her water bowl for this to happen. The dog had to be taken outside to vomit and eat grass, and both the employee and dog had to leave. I have video of the dog's symptoms. This situation is a nightmare: we havent received the service we requested, haven't been refunded, our dog was poisoned, and our credit card information was stored without consent.Business response
08/05/2024
We were unable to locate an acct under the name and phone number provided. Please respond with the account holder's name and service address so we can find your account.Customer response
08/05/2024
Complaint: 22059151
The name of the Company is ************************************** located at ************************************. ************. According to your manager that I spoke with last week another manager was going to call me back about our refund since the wrong service was provided. That never happened. I left a valid number on the BBB complaint. Someone could have called to check on the situation with that information. An animal was injured and that should concern you enough to pick up the phone and ask the company name.Business response
08/20/2024
This matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of the customer.Customer response
08/20/2024
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.
Regards,
***************************Initial Complaint
07/24/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
-They continue posting payments in the web portal, even though they didn't provide the service and never showed up in my property. -They dont allow me to cancel my subscription over the phone, Plus the employer wasn't willing to cancel my account and was very disrespecful -The web portal doesn't have a way to cancel service.-they charge me for a service that never exist and even said that the service has to be cancelled less than 30 days services. This is a lie and a way to steal money from me.-Every agent/employee I spoke with was equally unhelpful and repeatedly told me the same thing "you have to speak with one of our customer advocates". I was never able to ahold of a "Customer Advocate", so you have to keep calling back over and over again.-I was charge for an appoitment that I HAD NO IDEA was scheduled. I was never notified and was never called by anyone. -They refused to refund or adjust my billing. -All my neighbors are having the same experience and are reporting this company to the BBB.Business response
08/03/2024
When ************** called into our office he stated that he was told by a gentleman the fee would be waived. The agent he spoke with told him that she would pull the call to verify that was case. When the agent came back on the line she tried to explain to ************** that the agent he spoke with did not offer to waive the fee. The agent offered to listen to the call with ************** and when she hit play, ************** asked if he was going to be charged or not. She replied that yes he would be charged and ************** said "okay" and hung up the phone. In reviewing ****************** account WKPC has determined that the less than 30 day fee is valid and no refund is due.Initial Complaint
07/23/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
In May 2024, a salesman from White Knight Pest Control came to my front door, selling their pest control service. I informed the salesman that the only issue I had was spittle bugs. The salesman assured me that their service was guaranteed for spittle bugs, so I agreed to have them come out for the initial treatment. A week later, when the guy came to the house, I told him the same thing, that the only issue I was having was spittle bugs. He said that their service DID NOT guarantee for spittle bugs. At that time I told him that I DID NOT WANT THE SERVICE and he said "he would treat anyway and see what happened." Within 2 weeks, the spittle bugs were worse than they had been in 3-4 years, with my lawn turning yellow and killing several shrubs. When I called they said that they could not cancel the service because it required 6 visits and they would have a supervisor call. I did not sign a contract, so I was not bound by any agreement/contract. 3 weeks later, a supervisor call and said the same thing. The they called to schedule a treatment and we said that we did not want the service. They came anyway and treated while we were out of town (front yard only, back gate was locked). When I called back again to cancel the service, this time they told me it was because they couldn't treat the back yard. I spent $200+ to treat my lawns and finally have the spittle bugs somewhat under control. I'm not sure at this point if I will lose me lawn and have definitely lost 5 - 7 shrubs. DO NOT USE WHITE KNIGHT PEST CONTROL. They will say what they need to, to get you locked in and then not stand behind their service.Business response
08/13/2024
This is issue has been resolved.Initial Complaint
07/22/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I have contacted White Knight Pest Control on 3 separate occasions via email (as directed by their customer service line) on 5/30/2024, 6/3/2024, and 6/11/2024 regarding their pushy, rude, and inappropriate door-to-door sales team. My wife and I live in a city with a no solicitation ordinance (Corona, CA Municipal Code 5.34.130). Each sales person disregarded the laws of the city and continued to knock on our door and ring our doorbell, despite the 'No Solicitation' signs that meet city requirements to be exempt from such interactions. We have again had another incident on 7/19/2024. I have called and requested multiple times to be removed from their marketing list, and they continue to send their sales team to our door. The sales team is unprofessional, pushy, rude, and sarcastic when I explain to them the city ordinances restricting them from knocking on our door. When asked, they do not leave the premises. I do not feel safe asking my wife to answer the door and interact with the sales team of White Knight Pest Control. I would appreciate a higher level of customer service, particularly regarding their negligence and disregard of our attempts to be removed from their sales list.Business response
08/05/2024
This issue has been resolved.Customer response
08/05/2024
Complaint: 22016967
I am rejecting this response because: I received no communication from White Knight Pest Control, yet they noted they issue is resolved. What attempt at communication did they provide? Has my address been removed from their sales list? There is no resolution to these questions.
Regards,
*************************Business response
08/07/2024
The matter has been addressed with the sales reps and any necessary disciplinary action has been taken.Customer response
08/09/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and while lacking in the true nature of customer service, I find that this resolution is as satisfactory as White Knight Pest control will provide.I appreciate your quick attention and follow-up to my grievance.
Regards,
*************************Initial Complaint
07/18/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
Door to door sales person stated that they would be able to remove "most" of the spider webs from the back (north) side of our house. He told me they use a 40 foot pole with a brush to remove the webs, then treat with a chemical to inhibit their return. He also stated they would treat the garage for insects and leave a bait box for mice. He told me this process usually takes 1 hour or more. When the service tech arrived, I watched him brush a little bit of the front and apply some chemicals to the foundation. At no time did he go to the back of the house. Within about 15 minutes he began packing up his equipment. I asked him if he had done anything in the back. He replied "Yes". I went into the back and saw that he obviously had done nothing. He also did bot do anything in the garage. I went back to him and asked him to show me what he had done in the back. At this point he said he felt "threatened" by me, called me names and refused to cooperate. He left.I called their office located at ******************************************, ph# ************. They apologized and stated they would send out a different tech to complete the work that was promised. After several hours, I decided that I would prefer not to do any further business with this company. I wrote to them asking them to cancel my contract. They immediately billed my credit card $389 - $200 cancellation fee + $189 for the "service" call. I understood and had agreed to their $200 cancellation fee, but I did not receive the services promised for the $189. I have since filed a dispute with my credit card company and have contacted an attorney. Photo attached showing the spider webs that remain after their "service.Business response
08/05/2024
This issue has been resolved.Customer response
08/05/2024
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.
Regards,
*****************************Initial Complaint
07/12/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I signed up for this service when I first moved into my new home. I have more bugs now than when they started spraying. The last time the tech was here we mentioned the spiders inside and he said if I do my job right outside there wont be bugs inside. I called to cancel because we are spending quite a bit on bug spray from Lowes in between services. I told the lady on the phone what was going on and she let me talk to a customer advocate. He convinced me they will come out and change the chemicals until they get it right. I also mentioned we have a ton of flies and he said well if you have dogs or kids thats part of it, but we can spray for those too. I dont have kids at home and my dog is outside and I pay a pooper scooper. It was an additional fee for the flying insects but I agreed for mosquitoes and flies. He looked at the credentials of the tech asked if I would be home between 12-3 on Saturday. So I waited all day 6/30 and no one showed up so I called on Monday and was told the first ****** I talked to cancelled my service for that day. I asked for the customer advocate to call me to discuss and he never returned my call. Then today 7/11 I got a text that I was on the schedule tomorrow for the mosquito treatment. I called and told them to cancel, I was not happy I never heard back from the advocate. I was told I signed up for 7 treatments and only used 4 so I would have to pay $161 to get out of it. I said well cancel tomorrow and let me think about it. She said it will just continue to reschedule or you can cancel. I decided since 3 more services would cost at least $80 then I may as well pay the cancellation to not do business with these people who dont care. She said ok and within 30 seconds had charged my auto pay, I was not told I was paying that fee today as I am usually billed on the 15th.Business response
08/08/2024
We called and left a voice mail for ***** asking her to call us back to resolve this matter.Initial Complaint
07/12/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
This companys salesman showed up at my door and offered an initial yard and exterior house treatment for $49. I agreed since I was having a problem with red wasps, black widow, and midges. I specifically said I did not need termite bait stations, I have a different company for that, and that I did not need treatment Inside my home. I told him I would be home at 5 the next day and he said he would see me then.The next day a different man showed up two hours early. I called my husband to go find out why there was a strange man on our porch since he works closer to the house than my work. He talked to him and texted me that it was someone here to treat the yard. He then ran back to work and returned twenty minutes later and the man had left already. Upon reviewing the initial treatment he said he treated interior baseboards Like I said he never came inside. Treated fence line, I do not have a fence and the property time is unmarked. Granulated front and backyard- I have 1.5 acres and this is part of what he accomplished in 20 minutes?! Treated and swept ***** I still had cobwebs and I still have wasps flying in and out of my *****. Placed termite monitors around home there are no new termite stations other than what Cooks has there, I would love for them to come show me where they put them. And he did all this within 20 minutes, and I still have a problem with wasps, black widows, and midges, and ants. When I complained and told them I did not want to continue working with them, they sent me a letter threatening collections of hole simultaneously revoking the initial discount and charging me and additional $301, and Im pretty sure Im still in contract. But thier business hours are the same as mine and I told them I would contact them when I could on my lunch break. Instead they sent me the email and charged me more.Business response
08/07/2024
********************, my name is ***** and I'd like to help resolve this for you. Could you please give me a call at your convenience? My cell number is ************. I look forward to hearing from you soon.Customer response
08/07/2024
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.
Regards,
***************************Initial Complaint
07/10/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Order Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I am submitting my complaint about White Knight Pest Control due to their fraudulent charge and unethical behavior. I had fulfilled my contract which ended February 2024. My husband and I had called White Knight four times, beginning December ************************************************************************************************** February 2024. The last time my home was serviced was December 2023 which we received a bill and the bill was paid. White Knight never serviced our home after this time. Even though my contract was fulfilled in February, I continued to follow up by calling and verifying that my account was closed. I called on 3/11/24 and was told that my account was closed, I asked for verification that my account was closed and the representative stated that they would send me a confirmation, I never received anything. On 3/12/24 my credit card was charged even though nobody had been to my home and my account was closed and I never received a bill because no services were rendered. I filed a dispute for this since there were no services rendered. **** determined that I won the dispute due to the fact that I fulfilled my contract and had no obligations to White Knight Pest Control. On 6/25/24, I began to receive text messages from A.R.M. Solutions Debt Collector on the behalf of White Knight stating that my acct. is due and requires attention, that I need to make arrangements for payment. In summary, I am not in any contract with White Knight Pest Control, they have not serviced my home since December 2023 and I haven't received a bill since then because they haven't serviced my home. I should not be receiving harassing text messages from a debt collector when I fulfilled my contract and haven't done anything wrong.Business response
07/19/2024
The following was sent to ************** on 7/16/24 and was in response to a formal complaint that was filed.
"After reviewing the complaint and researching the same on our end, I present the following facts to you, along with the proper documentation necessary to support our stance.
************** had 2 separate Service Agreements with us; a Quarterly Elite Agreement (for general pest services) and a Mosquito Shield Agreement (which is a separate specialty mosquito service that we provide). As a professional courtesy to **************, the only Agreement that we are enforcing is the Quarterly Elite general pest control Agreement, although both have the same terms and conditions, and potentially enforceable. Please see attached. She signed the Agreement via her email on 3/24/23 at 6:14PM. In addition to the Agreement outlining our simple terms and conditions, it clearly outlines the projected service schedule for said services. As you can see, the Agreement shows services through February of 2024, not Ms. ****** claim in her complaint of December of 2023. As a matter in fact, she seemingly highlights this exact point in her copy of the Agreement to you. Ms. ****** **************** was rescheduled into March, and only after receiving an appointment reminder from us for her service on 3/2/24 (which was sent to her on 2/29 at 12:23PM) did ************** call into our office (at 3/1/24 at 4:05PM) to request a cancellation of the services. It was at this time that her services were canceled after she was informed that the cancelation of services at that time would incur a less than 30-day service charge (which is also plainly stated on the attached agreement) or the discount on the initial service payback to White Knight for not completing the Agreement.
There were potentially 2 charges that ************** couldve been liable for, that less than 30-day notice charge or that discount on her initial service charge. There was actually another regarding the non-completion of the Mosquito Shield Agreement, which, once again as a professional courtesy, we chose to only bill her for one and it was the lesser of the two amounts. In addition, there are no notes on Ms. ****** file with regard to her claims that she spoke to someone in 2023 and that they told her that they would cancel the Agreement for her months in advance of its completion date. Under no circumstance do we accept months early notification when a customer chooses to end their Agreement. We always let them know that a simple call or email after the final service is completed is all thats needed for the same.
Most Merchant Account Managers for the financial institutions dont normally base their decisions on legal facts; rather, a simple protection of their customers complaint. Hence, the dispute being successful on Ms. ****** end. White Knight accepts the reversal of the charge from the bank, but that simply forces the outstanding balance to be added back to the customers account. Ms. ****** account is now in a formal collection process, as it is 127 days past due. As a courtesy to you and your office, as well as an olive branch to **************, Id be happy to waive the processing fee assessed by the Collection Agency. We will accept the $119.99 in order to assist your office in closing this case. Please let me know if there is anything else needed from us here at White Knight."WKPC has made an attempt to work with ************** and considers this matter closed.
.Initial Complaint
07/08/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I entered in a contract with White Knight Pest Control ******* on 6/27/2024. It has come to my attention that there were significant misrepresentations made at the time of signing the contract, which were crucial in my decision to engage your services.Specifically, the representative assured me that I could cancel my service at anytime. I expressed to him I was only interested in joining the service for a short time to test it. Information was omitted to conceal the truth. This was done with the intent to deceive. I was never informed the $79 monthly charge was only available after signing a year contract. I was not informed I had entered into a year contract or the extreme cancelation fees. I discussed this with a representative at White Knight more than once without resolution. The only thing I am requesting is to cancel my service without penalty.Business response
08/07/2024
We reached out to ******* by phone and left a voice mail stating that we like to resolve this matter and to please call us back.Initial Complaint
07/01/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
The complaint is regarding the services that were offered to me and what I perceive as dishonesty. The employee knocked on my door and said they could come around and spray my porch for free to try their services and then handed me an iPad and said I was just signing for them to come and do the free services the next day however the fine print apparently entailed that I was signing onto a, annual contract which was very dishonest.Business response
07/10/2024
Unfortunately, the name address and email address do not match any that we have on file and the phone number is incomplete. Please provide the account holders name along with the service address and a complete phone number so we can better serve you.Customer response
07/10/2024
Complaint: 21925062
I am rejecting this response because:
No resolution.to help locate account:
Name: *********************
Address of service: ****************
******************
Regards,
*********************Business response
07/19/2024
Our records indicate that ************** signed up for service on 8/17/23. Our office made 3 attempts to contact the customer to do a Welcome call. This call is to follow-up with the customer after they sign the agreement to make sure they understand the terms. ************** was did not take or return those calls. A copy of the signed agreement was sent to the customer. ************** had the opportunity to read the agreement in full and to exercise her 3 day right of recission as stated in the agreement. ************** had her initial service on 8/18/23. On 8/23/23 ************** sent a text to one of our agents stating that she would like to cancel her service. This was far beyond the 3day right of recission and the agreement had already been executed. On 8/24/23 ************** called our office stating that she wanted to cancel her service, that she didn't need it. The agent that took that call tried to transfer ************** to the cancel department. No one was available and the account was placed on the pending cancel list. ************** did not respond to any of our attempts to contact her regarding the closure of her account. On 8/30/23 the account was closed and per the signed agreement, the discount that the customer received on her initial service was added to the account. At 10:08 am on 8/30/23 ************** called in to discuss the closure of her account and why she was charged. An agent in our office explained the discount on the initial.as stated in the agreement...
"If for any reason, at any time, the service agreement is cancelled before its completion, and the initial service has been performed, customer agrees to pay the difference between the full initial service charge and the discounted initial service price."
************** chose at that time to have the account re-opened and the fee was removed from her account. ************** then had 4 of 6 bimonthly services with no complaints. ************** received service on 3/11/24 and when her AuoPayment was processed it was declined and a notice was sent to the customer to update her payment information. ************** then replied to this message "Stop". We then tried to reach out to ************** and marked the account pending cancel. All attempts to reach ************** regarding her cancelation request went unanswered. The account was then closed again on 3/25/24, since there were 2 services remaining on the account to complete the agreement, the agreement had not been fulfilled and the discount she received on the initial service was then added back onto the account. WKPC has shown due diligence in our attempts to contact **************, and considers this complaint closed.
Customer response
07/19/2024
Complaint: 21925062
I am rejecting this response because:The way services were offered was deceptive. To claim they were going to come spray my porch for free and then have me sign for that service, but then actually it was service for a contract is deceptive.
I have not lived at that since January 2023.
Regards,
*********************
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Customer Complaints Summary
257 total complaints in the last 3 years.
123 complaints closed in the last 12 months.