Labor technicians got into their truck and drove off, refusing to provide service.
On or about May 28th, 2015 two labor technicians, respectively "Charlie (sp?)" and "Tommy" pulled into my driveway on a service-call to install a microwave. I was in the process of beginning to mow and weed-eat my front yard.
I sat in front of the driver-side window of their truck (which was running) for a solid 60 seconds repeatedly waving my arms and trying to verbally get their attention. The driver, Charlie, who was legitimately busy on a radio call, either ignored me or didn't notice me while the passenger, Tommy, clearly saw me and did not acknowledge my presence. If I would have been any more vocal or visible I would have been doing jumping jacks on top of their hood.
With the truck still running Tommy leaned out the door, and in an elevated voice I said "Hey! Do you not see me trying to get your attention?!". "I'm trying to mow this front yard. I need you to move your vehicle into the center of the driveway, please. Thanks."
I was somewhat irritated.
Tommy's reply was "We were on the radio."
(Pause) I'm the customer. At this point, I'm trying to mow my own yard and Advantage employees are pulling up into my driveway and refusing to acknowledge my clear attempts to communicate with them. They should have put the radio call on hold and talked to me. That's what should have happened. Continuing....
I get into a personal vehicle and park it down the street so I can mow the edges of my yard. The employees go down the street, turn around, and park in the middle of my driveway as I instructed them. I'm walking to my lawnmower to begin mowing and I consider the issue settled.
Charlie (sp?) gets out of his truck, approaches me, and tells me to "Stay away from us. You don't talk to people that way. We don't have to install your microwave."
The irony of this is two-fold. One, he's telling me where I can and can't go in my own home (!!!). Two, I was going to be working in the front yard the entire time the technicians were installing the microwave anyways.
I told him that we had paid Advantage and either he or someone else was going to install the microwave, or that our money was going to get refunded. He repeatedly reiterated that they didn't have to install the microwave.
I informed him that I had not, at any time, cursed or threatened them and that there was no reason for them not to do their job.
I guess he wanted an apology for yelling at them which wasn't going to happen. I yelled at them because they a) they clearly ignored me b) the truck was on producing engine noise.
I never screamed, cursed, or threatened them.
I called the owner, Mr. Langston, and to his credit he sent out two other technicians about three hours later. They did a fine job of installing the microwave and they were friendly. The owner was very friendly when I talked to him.
However, Mr. Langston said he would not fire Charlie as he believed in giving people a second chance. He was going to be "reprimanded". Personally, I would have fired him but I don't own the company.
I don't know Charlie. Maybe he was having a bad day. He doesn't necessarily represent the entire company, which we've largely had good experiences with in the past.
But I'm not ever going to do business with them ever again in my life if I can help it.
SIDENOTE: According to the owner, Advantage employees are supposed to park on the side of the street and are to NEVER enter a person's driveway.
-Chris G., Little Rock, AR May 28, 2015 read more