Suburban Chicago family warns of solar scam they say cost them $100,000

As more and more people explore alternative, clean energy and cost savings in Illinois, more companies are also looking to take advantage. CBS 2's Tara Molina reports.
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[@prm5798]

This is why you shouldn’t buy anything from people knocking on your door, except Girl Scout cookies

[@vatorman]

Those are bad too

[@chris12321222]

How about kitchenware?

[@patrickboyd3364]

Someone was knocking on my door and try to sell me new windows, I told them I only deal with Homedept or Lowes

[@marreese8405]

@@vatormanhow so?

[@vatorman]

@@marreese8405 Read an ingredient list once in a while and know what you are eating.

[@trupatriot1776]

Your first clue should have been the knock on the door.

[@madsam52]

I wouldn’t give a contractor a nickel up front. Most of them are crooks

[@redbloodedbutterfly]

Don't hire anyone who knocks on your door. Make sure all contractors are licensed and bonded. I hope the lawsuit is successful, criminal fraud charges are filed, and that the IL attorney general looks into this asap.

[@brucenome989]

The government need to step in.

[@jazziez6467]

they are the ones that recommended that company

[@tammied1858]

When does it payoff? How much is a family with a house that size paying in utilities each month? You'd have to spend 10k in utilities each month to see benefits in a year, if any.

[@jeffaulik3980]

At least one salesman knocks on our door about solar once a week.

[@danieldavid9887]

Same

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

Another scam involving hail catchers.

[@jamesfung3347]

It is simply not a smart decision.We have too many snowy and cloudy days,solar panels in Illinois are not practical, most people are only concerned about the federal and State tax rebates. However ,it will be years before you can recover your initial investment.

[@tammied1858]

So true. Money out the window.

[@sbkpilot1]

good grief, did these people not do their due diligence by reading reviews and researching the company BEFORE handing over money?

[@tracle8334]

He got fool by couple kids knocking on his door. LOL

[@darrylnevels6141]

And as a homeowner they tried to do the same to me and I heard of another story of a lady getting charged 50k for the same thing.😮😮😮😮

[@robertoramirez1069]

It made sense to him to spend over $40k into solar panels what a fool

[@pearlsswine]

Guy learned a lesson: don't hire contractors you meet on Grindr.

[@brent4073]

They said they would service my pipes for free tho... 😪

[@user-hn3lc6jt2j]

The State has to pay his family $100.000 plus pain & suffering.

[@GeneralTso-nl8tk]

Mayor gets 50% of the heist so your money is long gone dude.

[@extraordinarybeautifuljour2541]

This is why I will never ever purchase anything or sign up for anything that I myself cannot pay outright and have my husband install. It’s not hard to have solar panels and it doesn’t cost nowhere near 20k per home . Rv and tiny home people set their solar system themselves costing average of 300-600 for the whole set up even young females living the vanlife have done it without no issues. We must educate ourselves to do things ourselves and some relying on others . It’s like an oils change to your car it’s not hard to do but no one wants to take the time to make sure it’s done right they will pay for it to be done by someone we don’t even know make that make sense

[@josepina6364]

That was a sweet con tho gotta admit . Prob made at least a million for putting up some rails 🤔

[@te8828]

He's obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed... that much is for sure.

[@niveknospmoht8743]

What do you expect in the State of Illinois?

[@jeffgo5742]

Read the fine print and don’t pay anything up front. Do research. The internet is full of free information.

[@thetrainwreck1469]

LOL there’s a sucker born every minute

[@Rebecca-ci3zc]

Apparently government employment is a scam. Too many of these types of stories where gov employees aren’t doing their jobs. They get paid to think up new ordinances but not actually help citizens.

[@wheelchairpimp]

When we got solar, we only paid $100 as a deposit until the panels were on our roof and it passed inspection by the city and the electric company. Only then was the bill due. Why anyone would pay for work that hasn’t been completed is beyond me.

[@OperationChicago]

Knock on my door and you will be in some trouble.

[@DoctorSpicy]

Never let these carnies into your home.

[@robertoramirez1069]

The state needs more fools like this dude in whose right mind is the solar panels a good investment would of taken years and years to pay $40k in electrical bills

[@HondaGuy-he8yy]

He should have done his due diligence and contacted the BBB before getting involved.

[@papayuki3590]

do not use anyone that goes door to door if you do use the ppl that went door to door .. look them up

[@hectorrivera66]

My .59 cent No Soliciting sign has saved me time, frustration and money.

[@Tommy-rf9sw]

If you’re going to spend over 5k+ on something, do your due diligence and find out as much as you can about them.

[@kimberlycarter6974]

Always do your homework before making a big purchase. I did my homework for my solar panels for 2 years.

[@EscapeToArizona]

Still on their approved list. 🤦🏻‍♂

[@dpharr100]

Going solar in a state that doesn't get a lot of sun is not very smart

[@customcalendars4u2]

A Fool And His Money Will Soon Part.....

[@roberthboyd6073]

I’ve been working with a solar program in illinois. You are never going to part with a dime. This is a government program. You are to Receive the benefits in the end. Don’t spend any money. Don’t go into your money at all

[@paulmarc-aurele5508]

Should residential solar be funded by tax dollars? Would the tax money be better used on commercial projects that would benefit everyone and eliminate the redundant equipment costs and fraud? I think the community would get a better ROI.

[@Mr.Torres-Mr.Towers]

I will never understand people for pay contractors up front or in whole for incomplete work. Always get it in writing to pay at the end of the project or in progress payments with set and agreed on milestones. It’s that simple.

[@kkalauli23]

Probid energy in colorado... all our customers are saving and we guarantee our work for like 10 years my boss has been doing it for over 20 years we dont take jobs unless we can make it successfull...

[@SoCalBrian]

I work for Sunrun. We are the number one solar company in the US. We are going to hit 1 million customers this year. I can help. Reach out to me.

[@amestoy1418]

Whats with the eyebrow bro?

[@drjekelmrhyde]

The first clue should've been that there hadn't been any elk herd in Illinois for 200 years. 😊

[@user-ln7of9gs4s]

Tesla! Tesla! Tesla! If you want solar, that’s who you need to go to. Go right to their website. No games, no middle men, better equipment than anyone. Other wise, this is what happens. You will probably over pay and get scammed.

[@ribstogo12]

Lol! No.

[@FrankBevins-kh7mq]

It should be half the price in my opinion

[@HughJass-jv2lt]

😂😂