Leaders, Consumers and the BBB,
When it comes to my experience with Murphy's Concrete, I feel this review is a very necessary one for all in need of future concrete work - in reflection on mine the story goes, "buyer beware" and "caveat emptor." We interviewed several companies, as you should also, and selected based on comfort level, pricing, reputation, BBB rating, etc. In the end we did choose Murphy's based on the way they spoke, clean, yes, the kind of voice that made you feel comfortable on their pitch. I should have known, been in sales for over 30 years.
To be fair, the actual concrete work in the cold weather was some of the best I've ever seen by a crew in the freezing cold, never once complained, overworked into the dark with headlights on. (Not sure if that is something for the Labor Department to look into). Now for the "Paul Harvey" if some of you remember him: Concrete needs to rest and be covered and the company did proper blanketing, weighting with wood accordingly, great work - so we paid them in full expecting them to come back and pick up the aftermath, after which we would write great things, give great referrals and be done (by the way, two neighbors wanted a referral already - denied).
Here's why: After the blankets were finally removed (after four phone calls unanswered from the office or the cell of the owner) we noticed the following missing from our contract - never performed:
1. Bollard never installed. $200 value in the owner's contract. To be honest, fair, and give others options when you deal with this kind, I was able to go online and find a threaded bollard in stainless steel for around $200, paid for out of my own pocket, making this project now $600 over budget - (thanks Ryan, never again).
2. Conduit never installed. Line item - $200 value in the owner's contract
3. Wires, wood, nails, debris, etc. left everywhere. - professionalism, hard to find these days.
4. Never replaced gravel between the pads poured - Ryan's leadership and overseeing the professionalism, as stated above.
We finally, after several attempts at both the office and the owner's cell, reached the office and eventually his cell. He seemed calm and gracious on the phone, apologizing and willing to make it right where he could, knowing there was no way we both agreed to make the bollard right with cement ever again without ripping out the entire slab. So, he came to a compromise he would never fulfill, just agreed to so he could move on with his day. (Again, he's already been paid $400 for work he's never completed) Four days go by, my side gate is open, two of nine conduits are lying on the ground and no crew in sight. We call the office and the secretary checks into it: The owner calls from his cell phone - attitude very stressed this this time - not customer service friendly at all, asking what seems to be the problem this time?. (Not a happy camper). His crew always looked as if they worked for Skinner, not Pavlov for those of you that get the reference; I know for sure I could not have worked for him.
Me: Sir, two conduits laid, not nine and no gravel laid, not to mention the debris everywhere still on the property and you are fully paid with a rebate coming as we discussed
Owner Ryan: I never promised nine conduits (so for $200 in your contract we get two and no recovered gravel - such a deal) and we never put gravel back after we pile it up, and my guys can't find it anyway (it was out front in the street - just knock and ask - communication big on your part). Last, I will come out there and cut a cement square and put in a bollard. (We talked about how ugly this would look after the fact and know, I would rather have the $200 refunded from the contract). (Birds humming, quiet, crickets chirping., etc.)
Me: Sir, you will touch my property no more, not to cut for a bollard, as we discussed when you had a better attitude, it will look ugly, that's why the rebate. Funny how the actors change after being paid, forgetting where their last paycheck came from, sad, after 30 years in sales, it's the referral that gets you there, not volume - for anyone reading this - try not to forget small parts of wisdom - it has often served me well.
"Pig in a poke." and never pay until the project is complete - never using this company again. $400 out of pocket that never should have been paid to a man with a crew he doesn't deserve.
Kind regards,
Chris read more