Incompetent and untrustworthy with horrible customer service
We used TLC for our two Sissoo (Indian Rosewood) trees removal, thinking they knew how to deal with it. Upon completion of their work we realized, that this company does not stand behind their promises and their word means little. The tree removal was done by David Coyne and his team. Initially we were promised (and their invoice stated) the job will include both tree stumps be treated with poison in order to kill the root system, and that's partially the reason why their quote was higher. We asked David point blank whether he would provide follow ups if needed. He agreed, saying it would be easy to drop by and treat them. This was clearly stated several times to both of us. We were sure that their high cost justifies that. Well, we were wrong...
Before the work started, my wife asked David to be mindful of the yukka plant she just planted, and he said they'll keep that in mind. Sure enough, their tree grinding machine was positioned right near the yukka plant and the trees were fed into the machine right over it. There was plenty of space in either direction, yet it was positioned right at the plant. Luckily, plant survived with only minor damages.
Stumps were ground and no poison was applied. This is contrary to their invoice, quote: "no stump grinding, poison to be applied". David said no poison is needed as grinding should suffice and if there is new growth, to just give them a call, and someone would come out. That, like their other statements, turned out to be a lie.
Sure enough, with arrival of spring suckers started showing up. We pulled them out where we could, treated them, but several new growths occurred on pretty large and deep roots, which they didn't take care of or maybe didn't even see. It would require a significant effort for us to remove those roots and, considering we paid this company almost $400, we decided to contact them, the way David told us to. At first, they tried avoiding us, not responding to emails, not answering calls and even hanging up mid-conversation. Then we got a response, that somebody would come out to take care of that, but they quickly changed their minds after realizing that wouldn't be an easy mess to correct. When we contacted them once again, we got another response, that the tree removal was performed to satisfaction (who's satisfaction that is?), no further follow up or service will be performed, and the case is closed. In that email it was also mentioned that poison was applied to the root system, yet David himself stated that they didn't apply any poison, insisting that grinding alone would kill it. We researched on the Net and found out that you need to drill holes in the stump and apply herbicide or have professionals inject it directly in the stump. We were sure that's what TLC would be doing, after all, we paid them for that service and were relying on their so-called "professionalism".
This company will, basically, tell you what you want to hear. They will say 'yes' on everything in order to get your business, then will try to avoid you and twist things.
The rudeness and arrogance of this company is astounding. This included not willing to offer any advice on how to deal with Sissoos until after several further emails. Regardless of contract, basic customer service should be to look out and advise customer of potential problems and offer some post-care advice. If TLC cared or knew anything about Sissoos, they should've informed us what to expect before they started the job. Had the company treated the trees by not grinding the stumps and instead treating the root system (the way it was stated in their invoice), things would have turned out much better. I have since found parts of the stumps, that were not ground, which no doubt, are connected to the root system. I have dug up parts and cut them, so that I could apply Tordun RTU. It appears to be working for the first tree. After paying nearly $400 I am having to deal with digging up roots, buying special herbicides and applying them endlessly, as a result of TLC´s incompetency, customer misleading and lack of follow up. I wonder, how this company is still in business? Note other reviews about their customer service. Avoid TLC at all cost. Your better of doing things yourself. read more