I caved in in 2011 after weedman's annual sales calling barage every year. My goal was to get rid of weeds. They offered other services (fertilizer etc) that I didn't really care for. My goal was just to get rid of weeds. They promised that they will take care of my entire property (front, back and sides) without any limitation and that I can call them anytime to reapply the weed treatment. I have no evidence other than the sign that put on the front yard that they came and did the treatments. My backyard is locked and no one ever saw them coming or spraying. I assumed that the fertilizer treatments were done (took their word for it) but I saw no results. I was waiting for their main show (the weed treatment). They had advised to leave the grass growing so that the weed treatment would be more effective. They were very late and the grass grew big and I had trouble with my neighnours that costed me money (he was tolerant of some building material I stored at the sides of my house) but then he demanded that I remove it as he was upset with the big grass and weeds on my front yard.) The building material was around $300 and removal was around $150. I had to dump the material to waste disposal. One day when I saw the sign of weedman had come so I thought that they had come and applied the much anticipated weed treatment finally. I did see some limited spots of weeds browning in the middle of the yard but most areas (near fences, front yard raised flower bed, sides of the house) were left. Those were the difficult areas and I was hoping to get those treated. when I called to complain, they said they would send a supervisor. So apparently the supervisor also came without being seen by anyone (there is always someone in my house as my retired parents and pre-school kids live with me and my wife doesn't work). He left a paper saying that the areas of my concern were not sprayed because they could stain trees/shrubs/fence/stones/gravel) etc and if I want those covered there is special process they use that will cost extra. I called again to clarify and complian that why I was not told about that when I signed up and the rep told me that they will send someone to rectify the situation and spary all the areas that I ask for. No one showed up and I just received the bill for three treatments (two totally fanthom) and one uttrely useless. At that time, I called and cancelled the contract and decided not to pay anything as I have no evidence of their work. They kept calling trying to collect and to sell their services. They also kept sending bills with growing late charges. I told them that I would not pay as they breached the contract by not providing the services that were promised and expected. But they kept sending the bills and kept calling. After a year of annoying calls, they bloated the original $165 charge ($55 x 3 visits) to $230 and then gave that bill to collection agency. Their letter says that it will be reported to Equifax and TransUnion. Now I see that as a bullying tactic and this whole thing/balance is tilted towards business favor. Is there a equivalent agency that consumers can use to counter these tactic from businesses. I know BBB rating is not that effective in stopping buisnesses from these kind of harrasing tactics. I don't want to go to small claims as the minimum amount is around $500. I read that if the collection reports to credit agencies, then I can sue all parties (weedman, collection, and credit agencies if they refuse to open an investigation or remove the charge). Thie defnce will cost them more than the $165 charge that they are after. Anyway, I don't think a paltry charge like that from a lawn compnay can affect my credit store that much and affect my borrowing capacity from bank. Banks (for mortgages) look for overall rating and my record is sparkling clean over the entire length. Its their word (weedman with a bad BBB rating and numerous onlien compliants) against a otherwise flawless consumer credit record. Its just a matter of principle and I would not pay even if the amount is small and for services not performed and demanded through intimidation. Even though, it will waste my time, I am willing to do all the way to fight for this.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $165.00
- Company Response
I am truly disappointed that you were not happy with our partial program we completed on your lawn in 2011. We applied 5 services on your property and 2 were at no charge. Each time we arrived at your household we left an invoice detailing the service that was completed and the special instructions that were required after the service was completed. These services were completed and invoices were left after each visit. I understand your concerns with the weed control results and when we received a call suggesting areas were missed we sent out a senior technician the very next day to check on your concerns. First, weeds were remaining and he setup a reapplication for you at no charge on June 10 2011. Second, he also advise that Weed Man is a lawn care expert and that most of your weed concerns that were addressed when Mr. Hyder called our office on June 9 were areas outside the grass and an Iron base Weed Control could not be applied in these areas as it would stain wood or concrete. On June 15 we applied a summer fertilizer and a free weed control to the property to eliminate most of the weeds in the grass. From June 15 until October we called Mr. Hyder regarding his services, account balance and another summer inspection we did in July for Chinch bugs and never once received a call back into our office. We left over 13 messages in this time frame and countless statements were also sent out with no reply. My account receivables team put Mr. Hyder’s account on hold in September because no payments had been made and we not able to get in contact with Mr. Hyder at all. I actually cancelled Mr. Hyder account in early October because we had no contact or return calls regarding his services, that were on hold since August 3rd and no payments. My office made every attempt to resolve this concern and finally almost a year later the account moved to a third party agency. I would like the opportunity to resolve your concerns and reduce your account balance A.S.A.P.
Please call my office at 416-269-8333 and refer to your Home star account when calling.
Thank you for your time and your feedback.
Steve Stronge
Customer Service Manager