Eastern Elevator Co

Technician was competent and released my husband, but what happened following concerns me. It seems that there is a key, which can be purchased for $25 with a signed liability waiver available in the event someone gets locked in the elevator. I was never informed about this even when I signed the yearly contract. Yesterday, I received my bill for $713 to get my husband out the elevator. The company sent me a waiver, which I signed and sent back to them. When I called to give them my credit card number to expedite payment for the key, I was told I would not be allowed to purchase the key until I paid the $713 in full. I told them I would gladly pay the bill once I received the key. I also asked whether I would have to pay another $700 to get my husband out of the elevator should he get stuck again while I was waiting for the key. I have called Ray Clark, the owner, to discuss the matter of never being offered to purchase the key when I signed my initial contract. He was unavailable, but was available to demand I pay the bill first. Needless to say, my opinion of Eastern Elevator is less than positive. To withhold information about an emergency key so that the customer is forced to contact them and pay a large bill is rather unethical. Had I not asked the technician who released my husband about the possibility of a key, I still would not have known about it. As it is, instead of proceeding with correcting the problem, they are holding the key hostage which infuriates me even more. Although I was just invoiced, my payment is not due until the end of the month, and I do plan to pay my bill, I think their decision to withhold conducting a separate, independent transaction tells me this is one of the sleaziest, money grabbing, companies with total disregard for customer service with which I have ever dealt.