How Will It Work con't.

5. Should the consumer accept the plan as written and authorize The Sentinel's advocacy he/she will be asked to review and accept the following set of rules:
• The Sentinel has determined that your dispute with (Merchant's Name) appears to have merit and has undertaken to investigate and mediate this dispute. The Sentinel's involvement is subject to the following terms and conditions.
• The Sentinel's Role: The Sentinel will investigate and mediate the dispute between you and (Merchant's Name). By doing so, the Sentinel in no way becomes your agent or legal representative. The Sentinel's role is that of an interested third party seeking to expedite a resolution satisfactory to both you and (Merchant's Name). Neither the Sentinel nor any one associated with ABXZone has a monetary interest in the outcome of the dispute and will accept no monetary or similar benefit from these efforts.
• Results are not guaranteed: You understand that the Sentinel's efforts may not result in a resolution that is satisfactory to you. You agree to hold the Sentinel harmless in the event that results do not meet your hopes or expectations. You agree that you will not attempt to obtain compensation from the Sentinel, ABXZone, or any one associated with either, in any way based on the Sentinel's efforts.
• Truthfulness: By agreeing to have the Sentinel act in this matter, you certify that all information provided to the Sentinel by you concerning this matter is true and accurate to your knowledge. You also agree that should the Sentinel discover you have sought assistance for fraudulent or otherwise dishonest reasons or motives, all activity by the Sentinel in this matter will cease and the Sentinel will notify (Merchant's Name) of the circumstances causing the cessation of such activity.
• Full Disclosure: You agree to fully disclose to the Sentinel all relevant information, including copies of written correspondence, including emails, to or from (Merchant's Name) relating to this matter in your possession or that are produced in the future. Failure to do so may result in the immediate termination of the Sentinel's efforts.
• Updating information: You agree that you will provide the Sentinel all information concerning any change in the status of the dispute, including offers from (Merchant's Name) or other attempts at resolution, the involvement of any other person, agency, or entity acting on your behalf, or any legal action undertaken by or against you in this matter.
• Publication: You agree that the results of the Sentinel's involvement may be published in the ABXZone (ABXZone.com), including periodic status reports and a final summary. You also understand and agree that should the Sentinel determine any action that you undertook or failed to perform, whether intentional or not, which caused or contributed to the dispute may be included in such publication. You agree to hold the Sentinel harmless for any harm of any type that you suffer because of such publication.
• Termination: Either you or the Sentinel may terminate the Sentinel's involvement by email or hard-copy notice. Should the Sentinel's involvement be terminated for any reason, you agree that the information gathered by the Sentinel may be published in accordance with the above provision
6. Acceptance of the rules may be agreed to simply by checking a box on the email they consumer receives affirming that they agree to the rules, stipulations, and conditions that are outlined.

The Sentinel's Job Begins

Once The Sentinel receives the consumer's acceptance of both the plan and the rules the process will officially begin and the following steps taken:

1. An initial hard copy letter will be composed and sent to the vendor in question via the US Postal Service or similar mailing service that will supply affirmation that the letter was received. The letter will outline the consumer's dispute and announce that The Sentinel will be acting as advocate on behalf of the consumer. Our plan on how to proceed will also be outlined. A reply to the consumer's dispute will be requested in writing.
2. A reasonable time frame will be given to receive the vendor's reply. If no reply has been received after 10 business days a follow-up email will be sent to the vendor as a reminder.
3. After a reply is received with the vendor's side of the story negotiations will formally begin and the best possible settlement negotiated for the consumer.
4. Should the merchant's response involve the obligation(s) of the product manufacturer they will also be sent a copy of the letter and asked to submit a reply concerning their culpability in the consumer's complaint.
5. Operate under the realization that in some cases the vendor and the manufacturer of the product may be the same.
6. Once negotiations are completed the vendor will be notified that consumer acceptance of the negotiated settlement is pending.
7. The consumer will be emailed the results of the negotiation process and will have the right to either accept or reject it.
8. Should the consumer accept the offer, the vendor will then notified and the agreed upon settlement finalized.
9. Should the consumer reject the settlement offer, The Sentinel's role will then be terminated and both the consumer and the vendor notified.
10. In any case all facts concerning the dispute from beginning to end will be published for our readers to review.
11. After a period of time The Sentinel will also publish a "recommended list" as well as "non-recommended list" of vendors