"Customer Service" - Need To Vent A Little

[Calamity Kris]

We have three fruit trees that were in the side yard when we purchased the house. The two apple trees are rather leggy and I have no idea what the third tree is. I have called four tree services with arborist's on staff to come out for an assessment of the trees and how to care for them, give me an estimate for pruning etc. I would like to ensure they are healthy for years to come.

 

The first one made an appointment with me, then called two days later to say they didn't service my area any longer. I saw one of their trucks at a house around the corner a couple of days later. The second company made an appointment and never came. I called to inquire about when they would arrive and a week later they haven't called back. The third has me on a wait list telling me someone will call me to make an appointment. I've been waiting for a week and a half now. I called the fourth one today. Hopefully they will keep their appointment.

 

I realize my job is small and time is money. If it were too small for these people, why didn't they tell me they weren't interested up front? All but one of the companies are local to my county so it's not like they have a distance to travel for such a small job.

 

I don't get it..........

[Alpo]

Had a similar problem.

 

Needed a tree taken down. Called for an estimate. Foolish me, figgered they'd send someone out that day.

 

Week later, called again, got a person instead of an answering machine. He said the boss, who does the estimates, would come the next time they were in the area.

 

That made sense, kinda. If they're doing a job at the air force base, they are fifteen miles east of me. If they're on the beach they could be thirty miles west. Makes more sense to wait until they are within a couple of miles. Then the boss could leave the crew working and drive over to my house.

 

Two weeks later, called again. Machine. Told the date I'd first called, the date I called second time (and what the guy said), "And now it's two weeks later. If you DON'T want my business, please let me know and I'll try someone else."

 

Boss called back fifteen minutes later and he was out that afternoon to look at the tree.

 

I don't have a solution for your problem. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

[Lost Trail]

We have three fruit trees that were in the side yard when we purchased the house. The two apple trees are rather leggy and I have no idea what the third tree is. I have called four tree services with arborist's on staff to come out for an assessment of the trees and how to care for them, give me an estimate for pruning etc. I would like to ensure they are healthy for years to come.

 

The first one made an appointment with me, then called two days later to say they didn't service my area any longer. I saw one of their trucks at a house around the corner a couple of days later. The second company made an appointment and never came. I called to inquire about when they would arrive and a week later they haven't called back. The third has me on a wait list telling me someone will call me to make an appointment. I've been waiting for a week and a half now. I called the fourth one today. Hopefully they will keep their appointment.

 

I realize my job is small and time is money. If it were too small for these people, why didn't they tell me they weren't interested up front? All but one of the companies are local to my county so it's not like they have a distance to travel for such a small job.

 

I don't get it..........

We have run into similar issues with virtually every trade here in the Springfield, IL area. Multiple calls, multiple appointments, no shows, delays, wrong materials, not enough materials ordered, etc.

 

This is our 7th home we have purchased, had numerous trades hired over 32 years. Never have we experienced the lack of commitment we have around here the past 9 months. Many friends who are lifelong locals here say this is typical and they just deal with it.

 

Looking forward to the day we see this place in the rear view mirror for the last time.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Does your city have a horticulturist? My city does have one that will come out and assess your trees and give advice. There's many cities that do this and you may be surprised that they have this free service! It's worth a call to city hall and at worse they may refer you to a reputable tree service company.

 

Good luck

 

Rye

[Clay Mosby]

Unfortunately Calamity it seems to be the norm rather than the exception. We were going to move my mother from her house to an apartment, scheduled the phone company to transfer her phone number. Two days before the move she changed her mind and refused to move. We called the phone company to cancel the transfer, but they did it anyway. Then they wouldn't give her her old number back. Took four weeks and many many phone calls to get her old number back.

[SHOOTIN FOX]

Try the county extention office.

[Tom Bullweed]

+1 on the county forestry extension and/or the city urban forester (may be called a horticultralist).

You have already paid for these services in your taxes. They are usually very current on pests and diseases in your area.

[Noz]

Just try to find someone to repair a TV antenna!

[Smoken D]

I made an appointment with a large TV Satellite company to hook me up. Stayed home all day and no show. Called them at 6:30pm and was told the driver's vehicle broke down and could they come the next day. Said no, because we cancelled our activities we were going to do that day for the next, but they could come the following day and was set up for that. No show of course so another day was set, again no show. A year later I tried again with that company and twice again no show. Another year and another try, no show. Two weeks after that try a truck finally showed up, it was the boss checking on how we were doing after being hooked up. I then gave him the above info and of course he couldn't believe it other than he could see no dish. Would I re-schedul for him and he would make certain it got hooked up. No thanks. and it was not Dish Network.

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

It ain't for nothing it's been called Customer No-Service!

[Blastmaster]

Calamity Kris & others,

 

Call up the service agency, describe your needs, offer to pay for a service charge, at the minimum. Give Credit Card #, and make appointment date. They will at least know they will get a nickle out of it and not make a freebie info run

[Calamity Kris]

Thanks for the info on the horticulturist. I will most certainly look into it. Fall is around the corner and any work that needs to be done to ensure healthy trees for next year will need to be done soon.

[Black Angus McPherson]

You might also try the Missouri Dept. of Conservation. I know they do a lot educating land owners on ponds, encouraging wildlife and stuff. They might send someone to take a look at your trees or will get you some information on caring for them.

 

Angus

[Bugs Bonney SASS # 10171]

I live in Rocheport MO and called the county extension office for info on building a pond. They came out and looked the location over and gave me some advice on location. No charge. When I lived in Montezuma Iowa I tried to get a couple of local contractors to come out and quote me on putting in some concrete sidewalks. One told me (on my third call) that he was busy with home construction and didn't have time for my "S--t work"

[Cat Brules]

Kris,

The County Extension also trains Master Gardeners. You can look into the Master Gardener program at (usually) a local community college. Takes several weeks one evening a week and very useful.

 

Businesses like this show their true colors when they behave in this manner. I suggest you NEVER consider doing business with these contractors, ever. Make a $#|+ List, keep a record of these slackers and make notes. Get on these Internet rating sites like Yelp and slam them there. If they track you down and call you, tell them to FO. We have similar problems here.

[ShadowCatcher]

Like Cat Brules suggested - contact your nearest university, and also look into the Master Gardener programs in your area.

You might not get any direct response, but they might point you to a gardener who can help.

 

My wife is such, but alas, we're not close enough . . .

 

SC

[Calamity Kris]

Kris,

The County Extension also trains Master Gardeners. You can look into the Master Gardener program at (usually) a local community college. Takes several weeks one evening a week and very useful.

 

Businesses like this show their true colors when they behave in this manner. I suggest you NEVER consider doing business with these contractors, ever. Make a $#|+ List, keep a record of these slackers and make notes. Get on these Internet rating sites like Yelp and slam them there. If they track you down and call you, tell them to FO. We have similar problems here.

 

I will look into that program at the local community college, which is a couple of miles from me. Maybe I can find someone there. I can't physically do it any more so taking the class is kind of pointless for me.

 

This is the review I left on Angie's list for one of the businesses:

 

08/19/2016

The gentleman I spoke with on the phone was very nice and courteous. He made an appointment for Saturday from 10 - 12. At 12:20, I called the number to find out when he would be arriving. The phone seemed to be passed around to different people then the line went dead. I called back a few minutes later and left a message on the voice mail. I haven't received a return call a week later. If my job were too small for them or he were too busy, I wish he would have been forthright with me so I wouldn't have wasted my morning waiting for someone who had no intention of coming. I do understand that emergencies come up and things happen, but I should have received some kind of contact to that effect by now. I will endeavor to find someone else to help me care for my yard.

Description of work:

I am no longer able to care for my yard to meet HOA standards so I asked K & S to come out and give me an estimate on how to make my front yard low or no maintenance. That would have included adding or removing plants as needed and coming up with a weed control solution. If the front yard went well, I have both side yards and the back that need help also. My house is on a large lot so I have lots of yard to care for.

• Overall D
• Price N/A
• Quality N/A
• Responsiveness F
• Punctuality F
• Professionalism D

• Services Performed: No
• Cost: $0
• Work Completed Date: 08/13/2016
• Hire Again: No

Thanks all for the suggestions.

[Matthew Duncan]

I work for a small independent telephone company.

 

Local High School is going through another building project. Elevator technicians were on site certifying it and school was starting in two days. No elvator, no school. And someone forgot to order a emergency phone line for the elevator...is there anything the Phone Company could do? The normal field techs were out on other troubles, within a hour two of us old timers had a number to the school, jumpered to the elevator and tested. Never received a thank you.

[Calamity Kris]

I work for a small independent telephone company.

 

Local High School is going through another building project. Elevator technicians were on site certifying it and school was starting in two days. No elvator, no school. And someone forgot to order a emergency phone line for the elevator...is there anything the Phone Company could do? The normal field techs were out on other troubles, within a hour two of us old timers had a number to the school, jumpered to the elevator and tested. Never received a thank you.

 

I would have profusely thanked you. That's just the way I am. If this service scheduled for next week actually happens, I will profusely thank them as well.