Do not recommend WEED MAN even to my foes
==============Update #1 below===================
May 7, 2012:
Did I tell you that before submitting my review, I also sent a message to Weed Man Scarborough Manager "Steve” using this forum? Coincidently Right after my original review was posted on May 2, several positive reviews popped up with the “thank you” responses from Weed Man. Funny how they are quick to thank happy customers (assume they’re real customers), and ignore genuine complaints.
After 3 days of not receiving call from Shane, I called and guess who I got? Saran, who recognized me, confirmed "Note on the account". He told me I am just being credited $165 and NOT $229 as Shane promised I would. Again he went back and forth with his manager and said they can do WEED Reapply for free and only $165 credit. Oh God, how many times I have to tell them NO, I DON'T want any service anymore and give me my money back for services I DID NOT receive. I felt bad for Saran who was nice but had to be on the front line for company like Weed Man. FINALLY, he spoke to manager again to get me my credit. I told him I am recording the whole conversation and I called back again and Sparkle told me credit is in process.
I even emailed Manager Scarborough "Steve" left my phone# but after 5 business day he has yet to return my call. I guess they know what people think of them. I now realize why people become rude with door-to-door salesperson. I am sure people do that because must have been through Hell with Weed Man OR companies alike. Just so you all know, during this whole ordeal with WEED MAN, I was NOT rude, didn't lost temper, swear, OR yelled at any Call Center Rep. I understand most of them are hard working people just trying to do their Job. If they don’t have authority, they cannot provide real customer service when they see a need.
==============First review below====================
May 2, 2012:
CONCLUSION: Dishonest, unreliable company providing below average Customer Service. Read online reviews before signing contracts with any company to get an idea. Btw, I just realized Weed rhyme with Greed and both should be treated professionally.
I hired got Basic server ($286~) I made huge mistake, I should have checked online for their reviews first or check with my neighbours and hire someone with good reputation.
They came quickly for 1st fertilizer application but I had to call in twice to rush service for weed application. The day they were suppose to come for a 1st weed application, I did not see lawn sign nor was any envelope/literature left like it was when fertilizer was applied. When I called, customer service said service already done and gave me Service guy’s name etc and said yes sometimes they don’t leave paper work because they run out. I asked how I would know it’s done or not so she agreed to send manager to inspect my lawn for weed application. 4 days later when I called, guy name Saran said they can reapply for free when I asked repeatedly I am only interested to know what happened to inspections results? H told me "Note on the account" says manager found out weed application was not applied, and now they can reapply no charge. He said summer students some time miss the lawn and apply to someone else’s lawn. He had no answer for why someone did not call me and tell me, instead I had to call to find out. Instead he booked me for reapplication
2 days later I decided not to do any business with such company so I called to cancel and got Keisha. She told me I will be charged for Fertilizer (which is fair I did get the application) and weed application (which I never got), and rest will be credited. Both Keisha and manager Brian denied there is such a "Note on the account" specifying weed application was Not done so they cannot credit me for the weed application service. Instead both recommended me to get free reapplication since I am already paying for it, and won’t get my money back for weed application. I agreed but next day I called again and decided Not to receive so called free application. I spoke to a GENTLEMAN named Shane who was extremely polite and honest employee. He confirmed "Note on the account" that weed application was NOT done; only ONE Fertilizer application was ever done, which is what I have been telling them. He tried to save me and offered me good service but I decided not to do any business with such a low level unethical company.
I have dealt with Customer Service reps who really should not be in that business but 3 people ripping you off for $60 odd dollar is beyond my understanding. Whole reason I signed with them to have no worries but I was making ph calls just to remind them and baby-sit if they do their Job or not. Shane agreed to refund my $ minus the first fertilizer application which is fair since I never wanted to get full credit. After reading horror stories online, I wanted to make sure they don’t charge me next year and come to my property ever again. He took me off the list. Still waiting for his call to confirm Cancellation is done. I think they should have more people like Shane to save the company from losing customers.
I was not being unreasonable; just refund for services I did not receive.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $286.00
- What could this company do to improve their services?
- get a confirmation/follow up with the customer if application was applied or not. After all, if they cannot provide the service we pay for, they need to be in a different business.
- Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
- either find local guys who are reputable, and can provide reference OR do it yourself. Better save then pay and be disappointed.
- Company Response
Thank you for taking the time to address your concerns to me. Please contact me anytime to discuss your concerns as I came back into the office Tuesday this week. I am available 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and every other Saturday until June. Weed Man cares for our customers lawns and if a mistake is made and the wrong lawn was applied I am truly sorry for that error. If something unusually like this does occur the invoice would be left at the wrong property and we would not be aware that this error occurred until the owner of that home called us about this error or our customer did. This is an honest error that would show on our customers account as being completed when the invoice came back into our office. If our customer calls to voice their concern that the service had not been completed, we would send a manager out to inspect the lawn for quality control reasons the very next day. My Assistant Manager has responded to the kind remarks my Customers have made, but I alone respond to any Customer concerns. Weed Man is a local company and we guarantee all of our services. I live in Ajax myself and take great pride in my community and the Weed man customers that are in it. Please when calling into my office refer to your Home Stars account.
Steve Stronge
Customer Service Manager
416-269-8333