Solar Mountain Energy

June 7, 2010 Received quote by email June 15, 2010 Contract signed June 16 ,2010 Check for $19,419.92 sent to Mike Grabon by USPS Certified Mail June 21, 2010 Check delivered to Mike Grabon June 22, 2010 Check cashed July 30, 2010 Called Mike Grabon by phone, installation could start anytime. August 3 - 5, 2010 Installation started by Mike Grabon. Arrived late 8/3, left by noon on 8/5. Brought 4 of 16 batteries, Whisper 100 wind turbine and tower. Mike rented trencher from Trinidad, dug trenches, and holes for anchors, wind tower and solar stand. Laid out wind turbine electrical wires from base to shed. August 24-27, 2010 Arrived late 8/24, brought 4 more batteries and pipe for solar. I helped Mike setup turbine tower, mount turbine and set up solar stand on 8/25. Mike continued with turbine installation on 8/26. Connected turbine to controller and inverter on 8/27. August 27, 2010 Mike requested 2nd check for $4,970, Second check, cashed 8/31. Needed to buy more batteries, solar tracking stand and solar panels. Contract stated 2nd check upon delivery of all materials, but Mike said he needed more money for materials. "I paid myself first and have no money left from first check." September 17, 2010 I received call from 3rd party shipper. I HAD TO PICK UP SHIPMENT, 1/2 HOUR EACH WAY. No solar panels delivered with solar track. Called Mike and he said he would follow up on location of solar panels. September 22, 2010 3 MONTHS SINCE CHECK FOR $19,419.92 WAS CASHED BY MIKE. STILL WAITING FOR SOLAR PANELS, BATTERIES AND OTHER PROJECT WORK TO BE COMPLETED. September 23, 2010 Mike Grabon called with FedEx tracking number. Solar panels would be delivered to Acorn Travel Plaza in Walsenburg (my work place), attention Mike Redmond. September 24, 2010 Asked relatives to check FedEx status on internet. September 26, 2010 Asked relatives to check FedEx status on internet. September 27, 2010 A relative checked FedEx shipment tracking and it was noted that solar panels were delivered to Walsenburg at 2:00 PM and signed for by Mike Grabon. I called Mike and left voice message asking status of panels. Call was not returned. I called the travel plaza and asked them to locate the panels. They could not be found. September 28, 2010 Called Mike at 8:00 AM regarding the solar panels. Mike said he intercepted and picked up the panels in Colorado Springs, before they went to Walsenburg. didn't think he needed to tell me. Mike stated he would be here on 9/30 to continue the work. September 30, 2010 Mike did not show up or call. October 1, 2010 Called Mike to ask where he was. He had vehicle trouble and would be here later in the day. Arrived 3:00 PM, left at 7:00 PM. Tracking mount installed. October 2, 2010 Returned at Noon. Knocked over one solar panel and scratched the white coating on back of panel. Four panels installed and tracking mount adjusted. October 3, 2010 Connected solar panels to controller and batteries. Requested more money to purchase remaining batteries and other materials to finish project. We did not give Mike more money. We requested a list of items that remained to be completed. Mike would not commit to a completion time line. October 8, 2010 Called Mike Grabon in the morning and left a voice message saying we no longer wanted him to continue working on the solar/wind project, the remaining balance would not be paid and I would buy the rest of the materials needed to complete the work. Missed 4 calls from Mike, He left no messages. October 9, 2010 Left another message with Mike to call me regarding my previous voice message. Call not returned. October 10, 2010 Called Mike to get information on where batteries were purchased and discuss differences in contract specifications and actual specifications. Phone call was not returned. October 13, 2010 Sent certified letter to Mike Grabon requesting a refund of $2,280 to purchase remaining batteries, materials and contractor services to complete the wind/solar project. November 3, 2010 Delivery of certified letter refused by Mike. We have found several items that need to be corrected to meet code and keep the system safe. Next step is contacting Better Business Bureau to add my complaint to Mike Grabons growing list. He currently has an "F" rating which I some how missed when checking out solar contractors.