I wanted to find the metal property marker at my home. My backyard neighbor had encroach on my property and built a fence. I hired a land surveyor to tell me where the property lines are. The neighbor removed the stakes and covered the marker with grass seeds and hay so that it is not obvious. He recently moved (thank God), so I wanted to put a new fence up at the correct property line before another neighbor moves in and I have the same conflict. I was trying to rent a metal detector but thought better because I am handicapped. I looked up local companies and Marvin had 5 star reviews, so I called him Tuesday morning. I had to explain the problem several times to Marvin. He suggested that I hire a land surveyor. I explained to him that I'd hired one this year but the neighbor removed the stakes. I sensed that he was hesitant. He said that he had trouble with a neighbor "some 20 years ago" and had to find the metal cap and that he wasn't a land surveyor, and couldn't go into the fence. I explained again that the metal disk is on the outside of the fence but wanted it clearly marked. He said that he could put a "metal stob" there and I confirm that this is what I wanted. He asked for my address, so I texted him. He finally said that he charged $40 for his service and $40 for mileage. I asked where was his office because I saw on Yelp that he was local. He told me Garner. I said, "Sir, I'm off of Jones Sausage Rd, on Rock Quarry (which 8 miles). $80 dollars to find a marker plate on the outside of the fence is extremely high. I want to get it done sooner than later, but I thought that I may find someone else. I told him that I would think about it and call him later. An hour or more later, he calls me and said that he could do the job for $60 including the mileage, and could be here at 10:30 tomorrow. I kept saying that he seemed hesitant about if he could or should do it, and that I am 10 minutes away, but he continued to talk and said he'd see me tomorrow. Again, I want it done but we live 8 min apart and he wants to charge me a $20 mileage fee?! I texted him back and explained that I decided not to use his service; because I had to keep explaining to him what I wanted, that he was so hesitant, and that a $20 mileage fee was extremely expensive; though cheaper than $40 that he initially wanted, it was too much. He responded, "ok" with a thumb up emoji. Gas has increased but $20 to $40 in the same general area is in my opinion, taking advantage. read more
