BBB: Do Your Homework Before Hiring A Landscaper
BEND, OR -- The Better Business Bureau is warning Central Oregonians to be alert and do their homework before hiring anyone to do massive work in your yard.
"BBB usually suggests getting at least three bids so you can compare what's available," said BBB's Kyle Kavas. "And also, make sure you meet with the lawn care company, and make sure they come out on site, inspect the property before they give an estimate."
Kavas, a guest Thursday morning on Wake Up Bend! said high pressure sales tactics should be a red flag for homeowners as well. "Look out for those landscapers that go door-to-door and say they just finished a project on another neighbors yard and that they have extra materials, that they can give some special deal for just that day."
Additional tips from BBB to help you find the right landscaper:
Compile a list. Figure out which services are needed: mowing or lawn maintenance, landscaping, gardening, tree care, and pest control applications. Research average service costs to avoid getting gouged. Root through the options. Ask neighbors or friends for referrals. Get inspections and estimates from multiple landscapers; BBB suggests obtaining at least three bids. Don't trust price quotes from companies that haven't seen the yard. Ditch shady sellers. Do research before doing business with someone who comes to the door. If interested, take the company's information and verify their legitimacy. Contractors' business cards should have contact information and contractors' license numbers listed Dig for details. Check for free BBB Business Reviews at bbb.org to see the company's background information and complaint history-if any. Find out if they're affiliated with any professional organizations within their industry. Get your hands dirty. Licensing requirements may vary so check with the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. See if lawn care providers are licensed to apply lawn care products through the Oregon Department of Agriculture. In for the long haul. Determine if needs are short-term or long-term. Analyze annual costs compared to per treatment fees. If signing up for yearly service, examine service call policies and cancellation options. Pile up paperwork. Before paying, make sure written agreements include costs for services, supplies and labor. Also, notate the duration and expectations of each job. Request guarantees and refund policies in writing. Don't get dumped.Oregon Better Business Bureau - News
BEND, OR -- The Better Business Bureau is warning Central Oregonians to be alert and do their homework before hiring anyone to do massive work in your yard. "BBB usually suggests getting at least three bids so you can compare what's available," said
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I recommend that online shoppers install a program called Web Of Trust (WOT) (after checking it out of course). This program keeps information about online business and organizations that is always being updated. When you navigate to a site, WOT will warn you if it has a bad reputation. If it has a good reputation, there's a green light. If it has a bad reputation, there's a red light. I checked yourdogsuppliesstore.com, and it has an "unknown symbol" because no one has reported anything about this site.
If you've had a bad experience with this site, help others by notifying Web of Trust (easy to find online).
With that many complaints, it is probably not a good business, but it only takes 2 complaints, resolved, proven fraudulent or whatever to get an F rating from them, and good luck ever getting those changed, even with a change of business ownership, unless you pay their fees to join. And unless you pay you can never get a positive rating, only neutral. S-C-A-M. Try Angie's list or something else that is in business to actually help and protect consumers.
With that many complaints, it is probably not a good business, but it only takes 2 complaints, resolved, proven fraudulent or whatever to get an F rating from them, and good luck ever getting those changed, even with a change of business ownership, unless you pay their fees to join. And unless you pay you can never get a positive rating, only neutral. S-C-A-M. Try Angie's list or something else that is in business to actually help and protect consumers.
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