Glenda Griest stated her poor practical experience with C&J Tree Services — a Springfield-dependent company subject matter to a new client warning from the Much better Enterprise Bureau — happened the identical working day as that big sonic growth that rocked southwest Missouri in late September.
Griest stated C&J Tree Assistance personnel were going doorway-to-door soliciting clients, claiming they have been shorter on perform at the time but could simply take out nine 60-foot trees from the residence residence owned by Griest and her spouse, Dale.
“We are living in a improvement with a ton of trees,” the Nixa resident claimed of her community, Deer Ridge.
She claimed Dale labored out an agreement with C&J to pay back $4,000 for the elimination of the nine trees: Not just cutting them down, but getting rid of the stumps and disposing of all the limbs and trunks into firewood. Griest said her spouse gave C&J $3,700 in funds on the place for the operate they agreed on.
The family did not investigation C&J ahead of paying revenue, Griest mentioned, relying on small business playing cards from C&J that claimed the firm was “licensed and insured.”
Pertaining to that assert by C&J, a KYTV investigation released in May possibly 2020 identified that the corporation admitted it was not true, at the very least at the time. A corporation rep informed the NBC affiliate: “I was in the middle of receiving that completed and with the COVID-19 detail took place. I attempted to speak to them and they mentioned I couldn’t get that performed right until every thing opened back up.”
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The Information-Chief tried out speaking to C&J to discover additional on Friday by employing two mobile phone numbers related with the outfit. A single line was disconnected, the other supplied no voicemail solution. BBB also explained it was also unable to access the business.
As much as the Griest family’s tree upkeep goes, the pair states the job didn’t get finished: C&J still left a mess of wood lying about, which her neighbors have steadily been capable to noticed up into firewood and take away. The stumps, reduce raggedly, were remaining in spot. Griest suggests removing them is probable to be quite highly-priced.
“I don’t even know how to slash a tree,” she told the Information-Leader, “but I consider I could reduce a tree down greater than what they did, since they ended up just splintered and jagged.”
At a single issue for the duration of the two days C&J staff ended up on web page, Griest mentioned, a Deer Ridge neighbor started off using online video of the crew strapping strains onto a tree and sawing it down, mainly because it appeared that the trunk might drop on to her residence.
What’s additional, C&J borrowed two splitting awls from the Griests and didn’t return them, leaving them on the floor in wooded locations powering the Griests’ residence, Griest reported. The enterprise also borrowed a gallon of chain oil, never replacing it. Griest also accused C&J of having a chainsaw and a blade sharpener.
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Much better Organization Bureau’s Springfield office suggests this form of encounter was not unusual with C&J: Many buyers described that the enterprise unsuccessful to complete assignments, did not demonstrate up for appointments, did not talk with customers and offered very poor purchaser assistance.
C&J Tree Support has a BBB ranking of “F,” the most affordable doable, with unfavorable consumer opinions.
BBB reported the company has also long gone by numerous other brand name names: C&R Tree Company, Ron Jones Tree Support, Good Ol’ Boys Tree Surgeon and Joseph’s Tree Assistance.
None of these firms appeared to be registered with the Missouri Secretary of State as needed by regulation, a News-Chief evaluate of point out records identified.
BBB mentioned people who complained to the nonprofit enterprise watchdog identified Calvin Jones and Ron Jones as the operators of C&J and its connected model names.
BBB regional director Stephanie Garland told the Information-Leader, “Given that a company operator can shut up store and reopen as an additional business enterprise, it is crucial for customers to do their investigate and lookup BBB.org for the business enterprise operator identify and the identify of the business. BBB retains in depth info of both equally in get to far better secure prospects.
When selecting a contractor, there are a number of common-perception measures that BBB recommends:
- Investigate any enterprise and its entrepreneurs thoroughly ahead of having to pay any dollars. Examine the company’s BBB Enterprise Profile at bbb.org or by calling 888-996-3887.
- Request for references and get hold of them.
- Just before shelling out, make certain you have a signed deal outlining what get the job done is to be carried out, a timetable for completion, and an explanation of what transpires if the organization or purchaser reneges on the agreement.
- Check with the contractor for evidence that he or she is bonded and insured.
- Spend by credit history card any time achievable in scenario you require to problem the payment.
- Do not pay everything in advance. It is a good rule to pay back a part when you signal the deal and the last payment only following you are content with the do the job.
- When get the job done is accomplished and the contractor has been compensated, ask for lien waivers exhibiting subcontractors and materials suppliers have been paid for the work.
Shoppers can report fraud by enterprises to the BBB, Missouri Lawyer General’s customer security workplace at in the past.mo.gov, and the Federal Trade Fee at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Arrive at News-Leader reporter Gregory Holman by emailing [email protected] You should contemplate subscribing to guidance very important community journalism.