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Stephanie of Denville NJ (07/08/08)
Per my telephone conversation today with Mr. Johnson, I have enclosed a check for $36.10 as payment in full on my account. The first week of March we received a call indicating that our first treatment was scheduled; we contacted Scotts to cancel service. Scotts ignored our request and provided a treatment on March 29, 2008. Responding to a past due notice dated 6/26/08, I spoke to Mr. Johnson on July 1 and disputed the fact we were being charged for a service that we previously cancelled. He suggested that we settle our account by sending in a payment for half of the amount due, $36.10.
I requested that he talk to his manager explaining that we were being charged for a service that was previously cancelled and our account should be adjusted to reflect a zero balance. I also explained to Mr. Johnson that we had acquired their service in 2007 to deal with the problems we had with crabgrass. At the end of the 2007 season we were satisfied with the results of our back yard, however, we still had the crabgrass problem in the front lawn.
So after receiving the recommended treatments in 2007, Scotts never got rid of the crabgrass in the front lawn. That was a major factor in our decision to not continue service in 2008. The fact is that Scotts provided their first treatment 3/29/08 and the crabgrass was so prevalent that we had to buy products to kill the crabgrass and re-seed a very large area of our front lawn.
July 7, 2008 I received a collection agency notice dated July 1, 2008. I immediately contacted Mr. Johnson for an explanation. He told me that he had processed my request to dispute the amount on our account; however, it would take time to resolve. I told him that my credit is now being affected and I want to resolve this immediately. He told me that it would not affect our credit as it would take 60 to 90 days from this point for our credit to be affected. I do not believe this statement because Scotts involved a collection agency. To resolve this matter immediately, I took his offer from our conversation on 7/1/08 and told him that I would send in a payment for $36.10 in settlement of our account.
We do not owe Scotts anything since we cancelled our service in March prior to treatment; and because the results Scotts committed to were not realized. We are making this payment in order to put this matter to rest and to insure we never have to deal with Scotts Lawn Service again. Mr. Johnson agreed to this resolution that I would send in a check for $36.10 and he would adjust our account to a zero balance and also contact the collection agency to cancel any further collection attempts. He also indicated that this would not affect our credit.
Gary of West Dundee IL (07/02/08)
Continued to invoice for service that was cancelled. When called they said they preformed the service as part of a continuation lawn service. They also dorve past property, put in a marker that said service was preformed and drove off doing nothing!
Judy of Lebanon PA (07/01/08)
We used this service in '06 & '07. We had 2 weed & feed applications and an aeration in the Fall of '06. In the Spring of '07 we contracted and pre-paid for the Turf Builder Pro Basic service of 6 applications.
Their Satisfaction Guarantee states: You take no risk with Scotts LawnService. We want you to be fully satisfied with every visit. If not, simply let us know and we'll immediately make things right. We're never satisfied until you are.
We did contact them on different occasions by phone to report specific issues that we were not happy about. (weeds not dying following the treatments, poor quality of grass, etc.) Every time that we called, they wanted us to purchase additional services. When we said that we felt that the guarantee should cover our issues and that they should come out and re-treat certain areas, they declined saying that we needed additional treatments to correct the problems.
We made it quite clear that we were not happy with the results and were not interested in paying more money when we felt that we did not receive the results that they told us that we would have. We were clear that we did not want more service from them. This Spring, they came and applied an application to our yard (after we already did one ourselves since we were not expecting them). We called them immediately and told them that we did not request this service and not to return and not to expect payment for their unsolicited service. We had numerous phone conversations as well as a written letter to them regarding this and they insist that they were never told not to come.
They have sent this dispute of payment for the application in the amount of $82.04 to a collection agency.
Joe of Smyrna DE (06/26/08)
Dropped this service this year, along with a bunch of neighbors. Sad, sad, over-rated service (few hundred bucks) last year (2007) that produced neglible real grass growth results this year, but perpetuated the dandelion and clover growth.....but then, there is a very low work ethic in this state. Doing it myself, but stupid, stupid me....I used their PatchMaster product four weeks ago, water it religiously, and all I have is a bunch of patches of packed shredded recyled paper. They sure know how to rip off the consumer.....$45.00 for spreading $2.00 worth of lime over 2000 square feet....huh??
Lousy-looking lawn / grass with weeds and clover, and many empty-packed paper areas
Tony of Atlanta GA (06/12/08)
I signed an agreement for Lawn Service in March and they came out and treated the lawn. After about three weeks the weeds had taken over about 50% of my back lawn. I had a new Zoysia lawn put in last year and wanted it properly maintained. I called and they said that they would send someone back out. I waited a week and never saw anyone or any signs placed in my yard to tell me they had been there and the weeds continued to grow. I called again and they said someone had come out and argued that I needed to give it more time. I pointed out that the weeds were still growing and that no one had left a sign out telling me to keep my dog off the lawn.
I waited another two weeks and the weeds continued to take over my lawn. The products that they used on my lawn killed absolutely NO weeds and I'm not exaggerating. I finally called and cancelled the service. They sent me a bill for the first treatment which up until now I've refused to pay, but they are starting to add late fees, so I'm probably going to pay just to avoid credit consequences. The manager that I spoke with at the Suwanne GA office was rude and continued to insist that someone had come out twice and treated the lawn even after I pointed out that signs were not placed in the yard.
So not only did they treat my lawn with an ineffective products, but they put my dog at risk of being poisoned. The treatments and the customer service is the worst I have ever experienced. My lawn was completely overrun with weeds and it will probably take an entire year to recover. They also put my pet at risk by not warning me about the treatment.
Roger of Orange Park FL (06/07/08)
Scotts Lawn Service simply did not do what they were being paid to do. (eliminate weeks and control insects)
Between the 2nd & 3rd visit (I'm was a new customer) my lawn got chinch bugs. I called my local office and was told my next visit was in a few days, and the tech would be told of my concerns. The tech called to advise he was coming the next day. He advised he had not been told of the chinch bugs. He advised he would check. On the invoice he left there was no mention of chinch bugs at all.
I called the local ofc and the manager was out no call back. I called the Marysville office. They were very polite, took my complaint and advised 1-3 days for call back. Local manager called in two days and said he would check. I called local office back and canceled my service with Scotts.
Avnish of Grapevine TX (05/21/08)
I had a service contract with Scotts to spray my lawn for weeds and general upkeep of the lawn and spray the trees and shrubs with pesticide. The lawn currently is full of weeds and after repeated complaints to the technician the problem remains un-resolved.
I had a similar problem early last year and after meeting with a manager the problem was rectified. I had made it clear to the manager that if I did not receive proper service I will not pay for that round of spraying. I received a call from their accounting stating that the bill needed to be paid today. I explained the agreement I had with one of their managers and I was told that that manager had left and that I needed to make the payment.
I went ahead and paid and asked them to cancel my services. I was informed that my services were on hold since March 2008 due to non-payment. On checking the May statement I notice that I have been charged for a service call in April 2008.
The accounting department requested for payment for April 2008 service whilst telling me that no service had been provided after March 2008 Furthermore, they have charged me inferior quality.
Maria of Fort Collins CO (05/10/08)
I had these people, Scotts Lawn Service, come do a lawn analysis on my lawn. Too expensive. Decided not to go with them. They called & left a message asking for my business and to please call them back. I did not call them, thinking that was hint enough that I didn't want to use their service. They called back another 5 times or so and each time said I know I've left you several messages, but we want to know if you need our service, please call us back.......... wow. Thick. Anyway I called them back and left a message on the company voice mail explaining that I was NOT interested, that they'd left several messages and continued to , and to please remove my name and number from their calling list......... I got a phone call back immediately........ yes, a PHONE CALL after I'd just ask them not to call my number again. I told them that I had kindly asked to be removed from the calling list, I as not interested, and the man began to argue with me. Told me that they'd DONE their part ( free lawn analysis ) and was not happy with my requests, apparently. I finally said again, please do not call back. He called me back another FIVE TIMES within 4 minutes.
Linda of West Babylon NY (05/01/08)
Our front lawn was looking a little is certain areas & every summer during the peak hot months it would start to dry out no matter how much we watered the lawn. The side & back yards were thick, healthy & green. We decided to call Scott's Lawn to give us an evaluation. They came measured gave us a price & PROMISED to have our front lawn looking thick & healthy within 2 years.
Last summer I noticed that the grass in the side yard pulled out very easily - almost as if it had a very shallow root system, I mentioned this to the technician several times & he said that it was fine, that nothing was wrong with the lawn. Well you should see what we have left of a lawn now. It is HORRIBLE. The once beautiful side & back yards are thin & bald in areas. Our lawn never looked so bad. I too want to cry every time I look at it.
I had the Mgr over in the fall & he said that the landscaper cuts the grass too short & he would evaluate it again in the spring. Well now, there is nothing left to evaluate. And the landscaper cuts everyone elses lawn in the neighborhood & theirs is fine. We now need to renovate our entire lawn.
Ann of Clearwater FL (04/27/08)
Had set up an appointment to have a problem with my lawn looked at, Scotts said they were sending out a manager to look at it. Well, If this person is a manager,then I would hate to see how the rest of the company is run! He was there for about 5 to 10 minutes acted like he didn't care, stumbled around then left. I called the next day only to be rudley talked to, said they couldn't find any paperwork on his visit, I told them I even have a copy of the worksheet, the woman said I was mistaken and Have a Nice Day' and hung up on me! I have lodged a complaint with the BBB. I will NEVER do business with Scotts again!The company is poorly managed!
Roy of Hazlet NJ (04/23/08)
I was told to screw off and was hung up on. I suspended service to my backyard, and they came and moved the barricades and entered without permission. I was trying to get service on a certain day when we can provide access and questioned why this year was different. I was then accused of thinking this was a sick plot to regular customers! He referred to his business as crap and I am another one of his whiny customers..then made some immature sounds...I was appalled. This owner is totally unprofessional, does not care for his customers and certainly does not have respect for his customers property. He is a bad representative of Scott's Lawn services reputation.
My dog was missing. when they violated my request to not enter the rear yard...Then tried to cover up that they were never there!
John of Odessa FL (04/21/08)
I have been with Scotts for a while now, and their service has been outstanding, until recently, I dont know what has happened but their customer service is very poor, from the representitives who answers the phone, to the Manager they sent to my house.There is nothing wrong with my lawn , in fact it looks great! I pay Scotts good money to keep up my lawn looking good, but I will not tolerate the clear abuse I receive when I call there or when they send out that Manager!! I have since cancelled my contract with Scotts!
Scott of Macomb MI (04/16/08)
DO NOT USE Scotts Lawn Service. Their services are completely ineffective. Even after a summer of tree and lawn service, my trees had bugs and my lawn have a disease that gave it brown and dead spots. Repeated calls where made to correct this, however nothing worked.
I cancelled my service in the fall; however, they keep coming and doing more treatments. I had to call and cancel my service twice, and they continued to bill me for a treatment I did not want or have a contract for. When I called to ask what the bill was for, they threatened to send a collection agency after me if I did not pay it. Bottom line is that Scotts is untrustworthy, their customer service is horrible, and their lawn and tree treatment just do not work. Do your self a favor and go somewhere else for your lawn service.
Jane of Tampa FL (04/12/08)
I have never in my life worked for a company as bad as Scotts Lawn Care,Tampa,Fl.Their Customer Service is the worst I have ever seen,They are instructed never let a customer talk to a manager unless is it absolutley necessary , The management could care less,they tell their employees to get in and get out do as little as possible and go! I have since gone to another company that does care for it's employees and customers, Mr. Hagedorn you should be ashamed of your Tampa location, and it seems your other locations around the United States are run the same way!!!
Sridhar of Overland Park KS (04/09/08)
I had Scotts Lawn service in 2007 and paid for in full regular payments. they sent me a letter describing 2008 services and how much it costs me, I never wanted the service again as I was disastisfied with their service in 2007. One fine day in mar 2008, they came in and put a bill on my front ddor saying they applied fertilizer. I immediately called them and said I did not consent to them doing service and they mentioned that it is renewable every year and I need to cancel it. I cancelled the same day and I said I wouldn't pay for the amount as I did not ask for it. She said its fine and I am cancelling your service.
In April same lady calls back asking how was the service in MAr 2008 and I said I cancelled the service and she says oh let em look but you need to pay the amount. When I reminded her about the conversation she hands to her Supervisor and she was very rude and said I need ot pay the amount and she Lied that some body called me before the service to say they are going to do service I never got that call and threatened me that third part collection agents will collect the money from me and banged the phone
Sue of Tigard OR (04/01/08)
I prepaid for 8 visits from Scott's lawn service. My office has a front window and I noticed that the employee only stayed 2 minutes to service my lawn. I called to complain that the lawn looked worse than it did before they started. I asked how many visits I had left, and was told I only had one. I went south for 3 months and when I came back I noticed a sign in my yard from Scotts lawn service, and then received a bill from them for service in Jan. and Feb. They also tacked on a past due fee. I called to complain and the lady yelled at me and said I have a continuous service. I explained to her that when I had called before, the man I talked to thoroughly understood that I was dissatisfied with the service and wanted to cancel.
I am a widow on social security, and cannot afford to pay this bill. I need help from someone to settle this matter.
Jackie of Tampa FL (03/27/08)
Wow didn't know this site even exsisted, friend told me about it, and when I saw how many customers were dissatisfied with Scotts Lawn Service, I just had to write. I have used Scotts for a while now,I had a problem with my lawn burning, called Scotts said they were sending out a manager to look at it, The manager if you want to call him that, looked at the lawn for about 3-5 mins said there was nothing wrong, left.I too called and was treated very poorly by the representative that answered the phone and she would not let me talk to anyone. She acted as if she was covering up for the manager. I called another company, and found out that the chemicals Scotts was using on my lawn was wrong. My lawn is now looking better. Beware of Scotts Lawn Service !
Eric of Hagerstown MD (03/25/08)
Had issues with Scotts last summer as they sprayed weed control when it was too hot and killed half the lawn. They did come out and overseed in the fall at no charge, but came out this year and put down the fertilizer so heavy it killed all of the new grass. A manager came out who I think had been drinking and said he did not see a problem.
Stan of Tampa FL (03/24/08)
Called Scotts Lawn Care to come out and evaluate our lawn but to our dismay no one showed. I called the local branch and said they would send someone out the next day. Scotts arrived very late the following day. Scotts sent a manager out there, and in my opinion did not show that he even cared about what he was doing, he was on his cell phone the whole 10 minutes he was there. He didn't seem to care. The following day I called the local branch to complain, I have NEVER been treated so rudely in my entire life! The representative was very nasty, and would not let me talk to the Branch manager! I have since gone to one of their competitors and I very happy. DO NOT USE SCOTTS LAWN SERVICE!
Mary of Ann Arbor MI (03/18/08)
We contracted 1 year lawn care from Scott LawnService in 2007. We did not want to continue the expensive service next year. As far as we are concerned, we never renew the contract for 2008, neither in writing or verbally. So it was an unpleasant surprise to receive an invoice in March 2008 for a fertilizer application we did not order. Their service promise says I will knock on your door prior to performing any service on your property. They did so in 2007 when we had a contract with them (the staff would knock on the door until we came out or rang the door bell). But when came back in March 2008 without our contract, no one knocked on the door or rang the door bell.
when I called the customer service Kim and complained, she tried to persuade me that somehow I did not hear the knock even though I was working on my computer all day in the kitchen which is right next to the front door. Then she told me that the service is always continuous year to year as explained in the original contract and renewal letter. This was the first time we heard about the continuous service.
Lynn of Surfswide Beach SC (03/12/08)
Last month we received a brochure in the mail about Scott's lawn care and as we needed someone who really knew how to care for a lawn we contacted them. The service rep came right out, looked at our lawn and told us what needed to be done. He offered two different plans, but suggested that the Complete Care plan would be better given the condition of our lawn. He then filled out the description sheet stating what we would receive for service. Basically it was that we would receive all the service of the first plan PLUS insect control, and weed/crab grass/etc control all for the price of $64.00 per visit.
The first service visit went OK at the agreed upon price of $64.00, but on the second visit the service man did not let us know he was there, and when he finished he left the bill on the door (we pay for each visit). When we looked at the bill it was NOT for the stated $64.00 but for double that amount, $128.00. I called David, the branch manager, and complained about the double charge. I reminded him that the plan work/statement sheet stated that we were to receive the service at the stated rate of $64.00. He said that the added cost was due to putting on a second application, an insect control, which was to be done twice a year and would result in an added cost. Again I pointed out to him that both the plan work sheet AND the service schedule sheet stated that with the Complete Care plan we would receive all the applications including the insect control and grub control at NO ADDITIONAL COST. It did say that if I were to request a RETREATMENT of the lawn then I would have to have two PAID for applications for insects, etc.
He told me I was not reading the work sheet/service schedule correctly, and what I was reading was not what it meant...in other words I could not read and comprehend plain English! I reread the plan work sheet on which the service man wrote down what it was going to cost us. I did not see anywhere on the sheet, nor on the visit schedule, where it said I had to pay extra for the insect, and weed control applications other than if we requested a RETREATMENT of the lawn!
I then called the Corp. Headquarters and was given to a lady in the customer service dept. Basically all that happened there was that she could not find my customer number so she said she could not help me, and that she would transfer my call back to David, the branch manager with whom I was having the problem. I refused that transfer and finally she gave me the number of the Southern Area manager. When I called him he was out of the office for the next three days. The final result of all this is that we have to either change to a lesser plan or stop the service completely. There was no attempt by the staff at the Corp. Hq to rectify the situation or to explain the differences between what we were told and what really was! My recommendation...DON'T USE SCOTTS LAWN CARE/SERVICE...EVER!
As we are retired, and on a fixed income/budget, these suprise added costs are very hard to take care of. No, we will not suffer total financial disaster but we do feel that we were scammed, and that is how they make added profits. It just means that now we will have to adjust our budget to accommodate this service IF we want to keep them.
Steve of Richmond VA (03/12/08)
Scotts came out late last fall to do an aeration seeding. They spent about 10 minutes on my lawn, leaving gaps of about 5 feet between aeration passes. I'd say only 40% of my lawn was aerated properly. Also, most of the grass seed ended up in my flower bed. I decided to give them another chance this spring, and when I saw them pull up for the first application, I went to get my shoes to go out and talk to the 'technician.' He was gone and had left a bill by the time I made it out the door 2 minutes later. I still can't find evidence that anything was done.
I suffered poor service.
Tim of Rockwall TX (03/11/08)
Signed a contract in March of '07 for 10 treatments throughout the year. As stated in a previous complaint, I also failed to notice the fine print on the contract that says, Service will be continued from season to season for your convenience. They continued to treat the yard early in '08 (much to my surprise) and then I got the bill. Wow.
I have no choice but to pay the bill or else have my credit torpedoed.
Mike of Bradenton FL (01/29/08)
We started using Scott's Lawn Service a few months ago. When they gave me an estimate and explained service to my home they did not tell me that they could not kill ceratin weeds and that I would have to. After several times of calling them out there, they said that they would not be able to kill certain types and that I would have to do it myself, fine but I expected them to treat and tend to the rest of them and my lawn. After more than 4 traetments @ $110.80 per treatment, I still have weeds that they were to control and my lawn is not green as my neighbhors and they do not use anyone.
I called them and expalined that I wanted no one to treat my lawn unless I met them at the house, they did call me and treated the lawn (I assumed) yet the weeds and appearance had no change. I explained this to the service pserson who called me at my home at 8:30 one night and she said she would call teh local folks and address it. I got a call and she proceeded to tell me that I was to pay the bill for the last treatment even though I explained that I thought they did nothing.
When I told her that I would but would be quiting them she agrued with me and ask for another chance to treat the lawn. She was very rude and I even told her that I would call her Co. to let them know. Back to the lady that called me at night, she stated that there were several issues in my area and that she knew that they had replaced someone but would go over this with local folks. I will never recommend or use Scott's products or services again.
Pat of Clarksville MD (04/25/07)
Contracted in 2006 for ten lawn services to improve the grass at a cost of $1107.20. No soil test, some kind of applications were done and the yards began looking worse than ever. Two fall aerations/seedings were done and absolutely nothing, except in two areas I didn't want grass.
Timothy of West Palm Beach FL (03/27/07)
Being a novice to grass and owning a lawn, I contacted Scott's lawn service. They came out promptly and gave me a fair estimate, with the promise of giving me a lawn without weeds. After 4 treatments, I noticed nothing. So on the 5th service I was home and asked the guy spraying the lawn why I still had so many weeds. To which he replied, you need to resod your lawn if want them gone. He went on to tell me that there was nothing they could have done to salvage my lawn to start with. So when I called to complain, I was told that there was nothing that could be done to rectify the situation and that I was just going to have to live with it.
Anne of Richmond VA (03/24/07)
I contracted with Scott’s Lawn Service last year. First, since the brochure implied that by taking the most expensive service I would receive aeration and seeding, I took that route. Later in the year, I found out that I had to pay $132.00 to receive that part of the service. Instead of weed control, I ended up with crab grass (I never had crabgrass before), some the size of a serving platter. They aerated and seeded in the middle of our August heat and in a drought.
I complained and at some point later in the year, they came and threw grass seed around. I complained to their headquarters twice, the local distributor at least four times. I canceled the service, but early this year, came home to find a notice that my treatments had begun for this year. It took still another call to get rid of them.
I have the worst lawn in 7 years. There are weeds, bare spots, and the only place their seeding took effect was in my flower beds and between my border stones. It will take me years to get the lawn back I had before and I am very angry as well as out several hundred dollars wasted on them and the several hundred dollars and personal time it will take to reclaim my lawn.
Lilly of IL (03/12/07)
Last year I used Scott's Lawn Service. Once you start using them, they assume you are their customer for life. On the last invoice in fine print it states "For your convenience we continue your service season to season". They came out and treated my lawn (mind you I still have snow in spots) and left me a bill. No phone call to let me know, just a treatment over the snow and a bill.
Farhad of Westampton NJ (06/19/06)
I followed Scott’s annual lawn care program posted in its website. I used winter and spring fertilizer and my lawn was great. My neighbors told me my lawn was the best lawn in the past 10 years. I followed the program and used “Scotts Turf Builder with Plus2 Weed Control”. I followed the instruction on the bag and also from Scott website. It was supposed act as a fertilizer for the lawn and also a weed preventer killing dandelions. Nothing happened to the weeds but it burned my lawn! Anytime that I look my lawn I am about to cry. I watered everyday to avoid burning but it was too late. My lawn getting worse daily and I don’t know what to do except to complain to you to prevent other people making the same mistake.
I have spend a lot of money for lawn care, but mostly what upsets me the emotionally is taking care of the lawn on every weekend during growing season and watch them die because of this stupid product.
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