Jonathan Kula
in the last week
A series of unfortunate events...
As a summary: I was told by Mulch Co that I needed about twice as much soil as I actually needed. Hence I wasted between $500-$700 on materials and delivery. When I called them on it I was completely ignored, despite the urgency of needing the excessive mulch removed from my ditch line. I was then told by the owner that it would cost $500 to remove the soil I was already overcharged for. I relied on their 'expertise' to tell me how much soil was needed and was misled. Now my grass is dying, my HOA is angry with me, and to get it removed is another costly expense. Extortion, anyone?
My next step is Yelp, then the BBB, then my attorney.
Still interested in details? See below.
1). Called the Mulch Co in July 2016 to determine how much Topsoil/Compost I would need to complete my lawn repair. They told me, based on the square footage, 45 cubic yards.
2). 5 large loads of topsoil/compost were delivered, on time, and in the correctly designated locations. It was then spread 1 inch thick.
3). After spending a total of 34 hours spreading this mulch over the entire area previously measured, 2.5 loads were still left.
4). I called the Mulch Co. to see what could be done. Katie, the receptionist, told me that I would receive a call back.
5). I received NO call back, had to call repeatedly over the course of the next 10 days, left several messages which were not answered, and ultimately had to call from an entirely DIFFERENT phone number.
6). Finally, while calling from a 757 area code, Katie answered, and said that the messages 'must have been lost or something'. She was going to inform Ray Raines, the owner, of my predicament.
7). No call from Ray was received. I left a message once again 3 days later, and said that I was going to complain online, and suddenly I get a call from Katie. I said that I wanted to speak to Ray, and called the number.
8). After three attempts, Ray answered and a discussion ensued. He told me that there was no way that there was too much soil delivered. He said each truck holds up to 12 cubic yards maximum. [Keep in mind, with 5 loads, that is a maximum of 60 cubic yards. I ordered 45.] He also said that it would cost him at least $500 to take up the soil, but failed to mention that he had already earned $1400 from the sale of the soil that he OVERSOLD me. I asked him to at least drive by and tell me what he could do. He said he would. To date he has not, despite my calls.
9). My next step is Yelp, then the BBB, then my attorney. Any bills from my HOA will summarily be passed on to Mulch Co. My satisfaction will be achieved when Mulch Co. removes the excess soil, repairs the damage that their equipment would make in doing so, and issues a refund for the purchase of the extra soil. However, based on current experience, I doubt this will be achieved. read more
