Called AAA Wild Animal Removal Services on Friday for raccoon removal. They said they would come Saturday to look at the property. We agree to use them because it's raccoon baby season and important to get raccoons out before they give birth. Saturday they failed to appear. They came Sunday and gave a quote and said they would come Monday to do the work. We would both be out that day so they asked for a cheque up front and made out to the owner - Ron Reist - rather than the company. Bad signs, but my wife agreed.
Monday was slightly wet and windy so we thought they might not come, and they didn't. Called to find out when they would come, but they didn't get back to us. Tuesday was fine and calm but still nobody came. Calls were unreturned. Wednesday more of the same. They haven't found time to visit or call, but they have found time to cash the cheque we wrote.
Thursday I get Ron Reist on his cellphone at 10am. He doesn't recognize my name and has to ask my address and then says "I was just on my way to your place - I'll be there in an hour". But when we get back on Thursday no work is done. We call that night and three times the next morning (leaving messages that aren't returned again) before finally getting him Friday morning. Again he has to ask my address and again he says "I was just on my way to your place.". I tell him we don't want his services any more since he's taken too long and we've agreed with someone else to do the work that afternoon. Now he gets angry and tells me that we have a contract, and there are no refunds. He says he didn't come on Thursday because he was having tests at the doctors. That doesn't explain why he said he was "on his way" and I tell him so. I tell him he has an hour to get there and start work or I want a full refund. He arrives and does the work, which appears to be barely adequate.
This company (and the man, who has run several companies with different names) are late, uncommunicative, aggressive, incompetent, and their excuses have no credibility. I strongly urge everyone to avoid them.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $600.00
- What could this company do to improve their services?
- Show up when they say; return calls; not ask for payment in advance; follow tax laws; not make up excuses
- Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
- Use anyone but them