Complain about a product or service

ServiceMagic

Martin of Fredericksburg VA (02/06/08)
I am a small business owner with a contractors C license.They refused membership with their services staing I had to upgrade to a class B license.I have been checking the contractors whom they do employ,and found a number of them with the same class license as me.

My license allows me to contract work in Virginia just like anyone else.How can they make up rules of employment as they go?

Priya of Lawrenceville GA (08/31/07)
This July (2007) I hired Bruce B of Premier Renovations & Constructions, Atlanta, GA, from an internet advertiser website (Service Magic) for the renovation of my house. His profile said he was a member of Better Business Bureau and he offered me left over marble from another job at a very low rate and I immediately fell for the fraud.

Even before we had finalized and signed the contract he talked me into paying him $ 4000.00 to order materials. He started on some demolition work, before even getting a permit (resulting in stop work order from the city and a delay in getting the permit). For the next three weeks he kept making excuses on why the material had not arrived yet then asked me for another $ 5000.00 advance.

When I requested him to deliver the previous orders first and meet me to sign a legal contract before I paid him further, he promptly disappeared and stopped responding to my numerous e-mails, phone calls and certified letters. In the meantime, in my absence, he dumped a huge amount of possibly hazardous construction waste from his other construction projects in my property.

I contacted his references, Better Business Bureau and his advertisers to pressurize him to contact me. I finally received an e-mail full of false allegations that tried to shift the blame of his non-performance on me that I had breached the contract (that was never finalized or signed) by not paying him 40% upfront, stolen his material, did not respond to his multiple calls.that he would return to work only if I paid him another $5000.00. Despite my anger and frustration at these white lies, I urged him to meet me again in the presence of a mediator to try settling this case peacefully. Guess, what? No response again. The deadline I had given him to respond is way past. That one e-mail was simply a weak attempt to not look like a crook in front of his advertisers and clients who I had contacted.

It is now almost a month and a half since I paid Bruce B for building material that was never delivered. He has left my house horribly damaged with no windows, no cabinet doors, a hole in a roof, water damage from storms, a demolished wall, damaged plumbing and wiring and a dump of other people's construction waste in the backyard, while defrauding me of $ 4000.00. The office number (770)934-7533 and the fax he provided me do not seem to work.

I have now found that he had also lied about being a member of the Better Business Bureau. Not only is he not a member but has actually an unsatisfactory record and listed under multiple addresses. My only recourse now is to take legal action; although I don't know how long it will be when I will finally be able to get my money back, if I can get it back at all.

Clifford of Hampton Bays NY (07/27/07)
I was surfing the web looking for contractors. Somehow, they got my info from ServiceMagic. Peter C showed up to bid on the job. We checked his license and insurance and the BBB and Angies List. We did not see anything negative and gave him the job. We were under the impression that they do their own work and do not subcontract.

We subsequently found out that Mr. C does not know how to do any of the work and did not supervise the laborers.

We have given him a total of $56,000 since March 2007. The work remains incomplete, despite numerous requests to have it finished. Also despite numerous requsts, they have damaged personal property that was not broken, and have not fixed it. The put siding over rotten wood by the threshold of the front door. They charged $4800 to replace posts with round pillars that hold up the sunporch only to wrap the pillars around the existing posts when we were told they were replaced. Only because the posts were not sealed at the top, my husband climbed on a ladder and looked in and saw the old posts. When we drew that to the attnetion to Mr. C, he apologized and explained that he was not there when the laborers did the job!

I complained about screens the put in with the new sliders and they said they replaced them, but they only turned them upside down. They broke a 1200 window and said nothing. Only when we noticed it, did they finally agree to fix it, but they have not fixed it yet and tried to make an excuse that they thought they might break a window if they worked on the wood around it when replacing the siding.

They broke the back patio and have not fixed it for the last 2 months. They did not finish putting siding around the front door. They do not show up to complete the work when they know we are there. They replaced a door and the new door is damaged. The did not seal 3 sliders they replaced and water comes into the house. They were told many times about this over and over again, the remains unselaed the house is on the water.

They have been requested for the last 2 months to do it and it still remains unsealed. They said they were going to the house last Weds., July 25th to review the situation and they have not called.

We paid $56,000 and the house remains unfinished and I do not even know if the work they did was really done because i was not there when they did the work and Mr. Cooke - the boss - told me he wasn't there when the laborers wrapped the old posts instead of replacing them. And i found rotten wood under siding by the front door and there was other rotten wood on the house that the said they repaired or replaced, which is now under siding that i cannot check. SO i don't even know if what they did everything they said they did or if the sunporch is even safe becuase they wrapped pillars around the old posts when they said they replaced it.

Susan of Cincinnati OH (11/04/06)
First of all, Aaron D is the sales representative for his father's business which is Denton Custom Construction which is located in Loveland, Ohio. Aaron uses a p.o. box for his address and a cell phone, but the company is listed with Service Magic where I got his number for an estimate for a split rail fence with a liner for my back yard.

The website states the company has been in business since 1985. It also states Denton Custom Construction has a four out of five star rating. The Better Business Bureau also lists the company doing business since 1985. So, here begins my complaint.

On October 17, 2006, I signed a contract with Aaron D also signing and gave him half the amount of the total cost as stated in the contract. I gave him a check for $2,038.00. He told me he would take care of obtaining the permit from our zoning office.

He called the next day and told me the permit would be $50.00 and he would take care of it. He also stated the fence would be done by the end of October. By October 30th, I had not heard anything further from him.

I called him twice that day and asked about the status of the fence. No answer on the cell phone, but I left 2 messages. Same thing on Oct. 31st, and Nov. 1st.

I called the zoning office myself on Nov. 1st. They stated no one had filed a permit or even asked about a fence on our property. I then called Service Magic and filed a complaint. I also called the BBB and filed a complaint online and also with the attorney general's office. I also emailed Denton Custom Construction asking him if he took off with my money. He replied via email that he was sorry, but his company was going out of business and that he would repay my money next week.

I emailed back and told him I wanted the money back in a money order. He then emailed back stating it would be in a cashier's check. He also stated I was to take his word on it.

I am now out $2,038.00 needed to get a fence built.

Michelle of Elmont NY (07/01/06)
I was referred to Air Force Design Corporation by Service Magic who offers a Web Service to find contractors in your area. Well basically, my AC unit, a small ductless unit stopped giving cold air, so we thought that the gas was out and need to be refilled. I made an appointment with Airforce Design to come out and gas up the unit.

The called on a Friday and made an appointment for Saturday at 11:00 am. At 11:30 am on Saturday, I called the company to report that the technician had not shown up and re-confirm they had me down for an appointment. They confirmed and said someone would be out within the hour. It wasn;t until minutes to 2:00PM did they show up.

After showing the technician where the unit was located both on the inside and outside, he checked the gas level. He said that there was gas and he should look at the unit on the inside. Perhaps I did not turn it on! He played with the remote for about 1/2 hour schooling me on how to work the unit. I assured him that I've had the unit for 3 years and knew how to use it. He then stated that he did not know about my specific unit, he had never worked with a Bryant Model.

I said that I would then call the company that I had it installed with. He said he was going to look on the outside and see if the unit had come on since he had pressed some buttons on the remote. He came back in 10 minutes with his box of invoices and said that I needed to change a part called the capacitor. I said, how can you be sure that that's a problem? He said, that most of the times that part goes bad in these units? The part would cost 249.99 plust 125.?? to install plus tax.

I said well what if you change it and its does not fix the problem? He said well then you don't pay for the part. Then he asked me for a $200 deposit. I said, why do you need a deposit? If I did say yes change it, wouldn't you just collect the full amount at the end? He said, Oh I don't have the part, I would have to get it and come back next week. I said well I'm not interested.

He said, why did you waste my time? - Clearly I did not waste his time, I had previously told him that I would call back the company I originally installed it with.

Andrea of Pittsburgh PA (06/15/06)
I hired Richard Schriner through an internet sight called Service Magic. He was hired to repair a leak in the roof of a new home I was purchasing. Well, I bought the home, moved in and scheduled the repair with Mr Schriner. He arrived late for every appointment we had, once over 9 hours late! The roof was supposedly done, but still leaks! So when I called Mr Schriner to tell him that the roof is still leaking, he said it can't be, I have never had a roof leak. It must be leaking in another place.

I explained to him that I did not tell him where the leak was, I just asked him to fix the leak and it is not fixed so I want him to fix the leak as he was originally hired to do. I told him that I either wanted my money back or him to muchactually fix the leak and he said there is no way that I will ever get my money back and that he did $900 of and that if he was going to do any more work it would cost me more money.

He then told me that the house I bought is built badly and I paid too much for it and that is why the roof is leaking. How would he know? It could actually be leaking where he fixed it, he wouldn't come out to even take a look at it.

My roof is still leaking

Jhan of Hackensack NJ (08/11/05)
Mr. G of Class Act Painting lied to me abuot his team's experience with textured paints. In my online request from Service Magic I clearly asked for experience with textured paint. Mr. G said he had no problem with it. I took his word in good faith. His team did an unprofessional and sloppy job not only with the textured paint, but with the wall reapirs and prep. They left the apt a mess when they finished, painted over electrical outlets and switches, and got paint on the wood floors.

Mr. G said he'd come by to fix problems. He scheduled an appointment with me for Sat July 30 at 9am, but never showed up or called. He continually postpones future appointments. I am not looking for my money back.

I've since repainted the damaged walls. I only want this complaint filed so no one else will have to suffer through Mr. G's services.

Susan of Plano TX (06/22/05)
I contracted with American Roofco and Remodeling Services, LLC for a construction project on my home in 2003. This company was a member of ServiceMagic.com, from which I received the referral. He completed the project, I paid him in full, but am now being sued by a subcontractor (TrashKing) who was apparently never paid. (By the way, my contract with American Roofco stated that I would be held harmless for any subcontractor claims against me.)

In investigating American Roofco to prepare for this small claims suit, I discovered that Mr. J misrepresented to Service Magic and also to me (as written on my contract) that his company was a corporation (LLC). The Secretary of State has no record of American Roofco. The Dallas County Clerk does have a dba for American Roofco Services/ dba/ J.W. J.

I also discovered that the insurance company Mr. J told me that he owned (Town & Country Insurance) has the same address as American Roofco AND that this insurance company is not licensed or registered with the State of Texas. I contacted the Texas Department of Insurance and they are looking into this.

I am currently preparing to defend myself against this lawsuit, and plan to subpoena Mr. J as a witness.

John of Thomaston CT (11/15/04)
On September 3, 2004 I contacted Service Magic a subsidiary of Lending Tree, Inc. in response to an internet advertisement that was emailed to me by them. After reviewing their material, three days later on Sept.6,2004 I responded to them via email indicating that I was not going to go forward with their offer. The reasons I gave had to do with my personal schedule at this time of year and the upcoming tax season for which I work as a tax practitioner. I just would not have the time to devote to their service, which would cost me $300. per mo. if I stayed with it.

When I intially received their material they were advertising a 10 day FREE Preview of ServiceMagic. When I clicked on that link to preview their service, I had to provide them with certain information regarding myself. The next thing I know I get a phone call from their fast pitch salesperson named Julian V who told me that the ten day free was just a review of their program and that I would not get free leads, but because I contacted them he would give me 10 leads at half price, or $150. for the first month. I agreed to take his offer until I had a chance to read the terms and conditions. Those terms were so comprehensive and long and not to my liking, coupled with the lack of time I was facing, I decided not accept the terms and so told them in an email as mentioned above. I had already given the sales rep. my credit card and my account was charged on the next business day Sept.6, 2004 in the amount of $150.00.

After much back and forth with their reps asking for my money back, I was told by Ms. C that I could not have a refund because the terms and conditions clearly state no refunds. I told her that I had not received the terms and conditions until after I gave my credit card to Vigil. She could care less and told me that she would tell that to any agency to which I cared to complain. She said I could have my leads, but not my money.

I also complained to the BBB of Denver and they solicited a long winded diatribe from Ms. C explaining, why in her opinion, I was not entitled to a refund.

In that missle to the BBB, she sends the Fee section of the terms and conditions. Item (h)of that section is somewhat confusing to say the least, to wit: ServiceMagic is not obligated to refund to you any amounts of prepaid Lead Fees or other prepaid fees for which services have not been rendered to you by ServiceMagic. have not been rendered....

John of Hobart IN (04/29/04)
i was told that they would give me a $15 per lead rate. first they charged my checking account $60 then they charged my checking account $30 per lead for a total of $150. my checking account became nsf and i was charged $30 everytime service magic charged my account.

i was over charged $90 for the leads and i was charged $165 by my bank for nsf charges.

La'shon of Jamaica NY (04/16/02)
Enduring Builders was refered to us from Service Magic which was a referral Serive. Our first visit by Mr. Micheal P was around the end of May earily June of 2001. Mr. Micheal P knew that this room extention was for a class room for my daycare. I had told hime that the room had to be aleast 30square feet per child. And since I wanted 14 children for the Pre-kindergarten program. It had to be at least 400 square feet. I had told him that I need it done by September. After I couldn't come up with the money for the down payment. I told him i would have it my August of 2001. He told me, then the room would be finished by october and not September.

We signed the contact and made our first payment on August 21,2001 for the said amount of $3257.30. At that time Mr. Mike P stated that the job would begin seven to ten days after receiving the work permits. Which would take about two weeks from signing the contract.

After about three weeks we made several phone calls Which we left nemerous messages that was never returned. Then somewhere around the beginning of october Mr. P finally called and Stated because of the 9/11 attack It took him longer to get the permit. But that he had the permit and the work should begin in two weeks. Which put us around october 21,2002.

He gave me his cell phone number which turn out to be the wrong phone number. Because after the two week period came and left I started calling and leaving message at the office number. And I kept trying that number mention above. This was a period for late October to late December early Jan. We have not heard on word from Mr. Mike P.

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