Question about sketchy service provider

[Tobra]

We needed some hedges trimmed. They came out eventually and did the work, but only did part of the job. Took a week to get them to come back out and finish. They wanted to be paid cash only, no cash, no credit card.

Initially, they had us leave cash in our mailbox, but they never picked it up. They then set a time to come and pick up the cash and never showed up. We called them multiple times after this, without response, over a period of over a month. One of the times we called they said they had no record of coming out to the house. They finally came out to pick up the cash, but refused to give her a receipt. The two men became very confrontational, insulting and actually put their hands on her. She told them I was on my way, and their demeanor changed, they gave her the receipt and left. My wife is also filing a complaint with the Sheriff's department. When I called the business myself, the man lied to me and said he had been trying to contact us and we were not returning calls. We had an envelope full of cash waiting for them at the house the entire time, and he is calling me the people who don't want to pay. Sheriff's department told us this was the third time where they had to go to this business with a similar complaint. Also did a yelp review and filed a BBB complaint.

Can you guys think of anything else?

[pwd72s]

Don't use them again?

[Baz]

Getting a signed receipt was the smartest part of the whole thing.

Also the fact you have a second person as witness to the whole scenario (your better half) is very helpful, should it be needed.

Doesn't sound like anything will come of it since the sheriff is aware of their shenanigans. Having them on your side you should be gold from a legal standpoint.

My only concern going forward would be possible retribution. Unfortunately there is a subset of society who does this kind of thing. Dunno if this happens here but thought it worth a mention. If you have security cameras, Ring, etc. that would be helpful. Having dogs can also be helpful!

I have to ask Tob......how in the world do these people even get hired by you in the first place? You know you need to get referrals for trade work......always!

[pmax]

[Tobra]

The mechanics lien was his game plan from the jump, I think.

Turns out, they must have called the Sheriff the minute they left, saying she was the aggressor, and they would file on her, if she filed on them. I told her to file anyway. They left a mark on her face the Sheriff took a picture of. In reading their yelp reviews, this is at least the fourth time they have done something very similar to a customer.


They are approaching the "finding out" stage

[Sooner or later]

Being a cash only business is everything you need to know about them. Run.

[Tobra]

They apparently have the ability to accept credit cards per the website, but that is not how they prefer to handle it.

Rods Tree Service in Carmichael is the business

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Tobra

They apparently have the ability to accept credit cards per the website, but that is not how they prefer to handle it.

Rods Tree Service in Carmichael is the business

Well Toby all I can say is you probably won the first round but if'n it was me I'd be checking my 6 for awhile and making sure the Mrs. does too.

I wonder, would the Court allow a restraining order given that they assaulted the Mrs?

[Mike80911]

Not sure of the laws in your state but here that would constitute 3rd degree assault a misdemeanor. Why did the sheriff's deputy not arrest the person who struck her?

[Alan A]

A better question is why are they not eating through a straw?

[pmax]

...

[Cairo94507]

I hope your wife files a report with the Sheriff or local PD and follow-up with a call or visit to the DA's Office to see if they will file a complaint for battery at the minimum on these thugs. I would print all of the Yelp reviews and take them to the Sheriff/PD to be included in the report.

[Tobra]

Already filed a complaint with the Sheriff, lady across the street heard the commotion and came over to see what was wrong. They also tried to charge a 10% fee for using a credit card, which is illegal in California, it turns out. I am going to need to amend my BBB complaint. I like the restraining order idea. I will be filing a complaint with his state licensing board, of course.

Do you suppose the IRS would be interested in a business that charged illegal fees to coerce people into paying cash, then assault them when they try to get a receipt? Yeah, probably not

Sheriff's Deputy was appalled. Wife is not big 5'2" 120, guy was a foot taller and literally twice her weight. He hit her in the forehead witj the heel of his hand and knocked her back a couple steps on a cement porch with a brick wall behind her. Good way to make her hit the back of her head amd kill her, or maybe make her forget how to walk and talk. She was a gymnast about half her life, and still does all the yoga and pilates crap, or he would have knocked her down. Fairly certain this has happened before with this bag trash

[ChrisHamilton]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Already filed a complaint with the Sheriff, lady across the street heard the commotion and came over to see what was wrong. They also tried to charge a 10% fee for using a credit card, which is illegal in California, it turns out. I am going to need to amend my BBB complaint. I like the restraining order idea. I will be filing a complaint with his state licensing board, of course.

Do you suppose the IRS would be interested in a business that charged illegal fees to coerce people into paying cash, then assault them when they try to get a receipt? Yeah, probably not

Sheriff's Deputy was appalled. Wife is not big 5'2" 120, guy was a foot taller and literally twice her weight. He hit her in the forehead witj the heel of his hand and knocked her back a couple steps on a cement porch with a brick wall behind her. Good way to make her hit the back of her head amd kill her, or maybe make her forget how to walk and talk. She was a gymnast about half her life, and still does all the yoga and pilates crap, or he would have knocked her down. Fairly certain this has happened before with this bag trash

Wow! That is really unhinged. Truly time for someone to pay this Prick a quiet midnight visit and have a little chat with him. If that was my wife or mother I would want to have an extended consultation with him.


At the very least Tobra, I would pursue this as aggressively as possible with the Sheriff's Office and the local DA. Contacting the DA and making it known that you are going to be a pest till this thug is charged would be the best way to go about it. Being it's Carmichael I've got to assume there is a decent law and order DA in office.

[Tobra]

Yes, big, dumb and angry poked the wrong skunk. He is going to be hearing from more than one state and county agency in the very near future.

While my preference would be to serve his regret up personally, civilized society dictates otherwise

[javadog]

Screw civilized...

Have his ass arrested for battery.

For a start.

[masraum]

Anyone in the area got buddies named Vinny, Bruno, Nick that could help Toby out?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by javadog

Screw civilized...

Have his ass arrested for battery.

For a start.

Absolutely sounds civilized to me. Not civilized is taking a bat to his knees or forehead or burning his truck in his front yard...

[Tobra]

I already know guys like that. I am going to take away his livelihood. That will hurt for a lot longer.

[Baz]

Tob - I would just let it go.

You already covered yourself - why push it?

Not worth the retaliation potential.

Either way I still love ya my brother and wish you well........