Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  Eddie Smith, who now operates under the alias *** and sometimes goes by *****, has adopted various names and business identities. This change seems prompted by multiple complaints and a judgment against him under his original name. Despite initially presenting himself as ***, he eventually admitted to his real identity only after investigation.I engaged ***'s services on October 10, 2023, for the removal of two trees, old privacy fence removal, installating a new privacy fence, and installing 136 feet of chain link to segregate the dog area from the pool. Expressing urgency due to the need to board our dogs during the project, I stressed the importance of a swift completion.*** estimated the entire job would take eight to ten days, broken down into specific tasks. This included two days for tree removal, one day for old fence removal, one day for setting posts, one day for picket installation, one day for gates and caps, and two days for chain link installation. The total duration was eight days, with a potential extension to ten days if weather conditions were unfavorable. Based on this timeline, we planned to board our dogs for a maximum of six days.*** quoted a total cost of $9950, requesting an upfront payment of $6500 for materials. I issued a check, with instructions to make it payable to his wife, ****** Smith, who, he claimed, managed financial matters for their joint business. Despite the agreed-upon start date of October 16, work did not commence until October 19. ***'s attendance was sporadic, often starting late in the day and working only a few hours at a time. This pattern persisted throughout the project.After a week, he completed the tree removal and requested the $450 quoted for this specific task. Despite the extended dog boarding period and the delayed fence removal, *** did not complete the work as promised. In response to the prolonged boarding and unfinished fence, he hastily constructed a makeshift pen using field fencing.As of November 2, the privacy fence was still incomplete. *** falsely claimed that I had authorized additional funds, and he called my wife from a number associated with "Genisis Construction," revealing his true identity as Eddie Smith with a questionable past. Following this revelation, I contacted him, threatening legal action. On November 3, he requested more money for picket purchase, explaining that the initial $6500 was partly a deposit and partly for operational costs.Growing increasingly skeptical, I insisted on purchasing materials myself and gave him an additional $400 for operational expenses, accompanied by a detailed agreement specifying payments, outstanding amounts, and a completion deadline of November 10. However, *** worked only five hours the following week, failing to finish the privacy fence by the agreed-upon date.On November 10, he cited rain as an excuse for the delay, and when he did work, it was for a minimal duration. Upon inspection, I discovered numerous issues with the completed fence, including deviations from the original layout, gaps between posts and concrete surfaces, a dangerous lack of adherence to safety standards, and an overall shoddy appearance.As of November 12, a month after the initial payment, *** has received a total of $7300. Despite numerous attempts to contact him, he is now avoiding calls and texts. I am now demanding a refund for the incomplete work and unfulfilled material purchases.In conclusion, Eddie Smith, operating under various aliases like *** and *****, is a dishonest individual with a history of exploiting others. His wife, ****** Smith, who handled the initial payment, appears to be complicit in their dubious practices. Legal action will be pursued against both individuals to seek compensation for the incomplete and substandard work. Prospective clients should exercise caution when dealing with Eddie Smith and his various aliases. He has proven to be a scam artist with a disregard for contractual obligations.

  Business response

  11/27/2023

  I have never went by the name ***** and do not know that person. There was never a time frame, the trees along the fence line did take some time because he failed to mention there had once been a chain link fence that had been removed and the wire was imbedded inside of the trees, it destroyed one chainsaw and I had to purchase another, I replaced 3 chains at $35.00 each along with $60.00 in reciprocating blades, spent over six hundred to do a 400 (not 450) dollar job. When I mentioned the metal in the trees, he said I had given an estimate it was up to me to know what was inside the trees?? I cut down more than the 2 trees stated in the contract. There was never a "5-hour week". I missed 2 days, and both were above 90 percent rain forecast. The temporary fence I installed has never been returned, its 6' high industrial grade chain link valued at 600 a roll. (3 rolls) and 3 welded wire kennel gates. Even though this guy stopped payment on a check, I continued to work 9 days and was 2 days away from completion when he fired me and wanted all of his money back. The day before the rain outs, he came to me and said to be expecting some calls, that he had recommended me to some co-workers that needed work done, the next day there was a break in the rain at 2 o'clock and he called me at 2:15 and asked if i was coming, I explained to him more rain was coming and if I did go back to my shop and load my tools for the fence it would be dark. Because I didn't come when he said too is the reason for this BBB complaint, there are pictures attached, the quality of the work is great.

  Business response

  11/27/2023

  It won't let me add my pictures even though they are under the 5MB each. I feel like I should be able to show the pictures I have to prove my case. **************** was allowed to show his pictures. 

  Business response

  12/06/2023

  In the pictures I've presented it clearly shows that privacy fence was done correctly, the gates were heavy duty and the only thing left was the cap which would have taken about 3 hours, I bid 2 trees. there were actually 3-4 smaller trees **** inches in diameter that were in the line of the fence that I also removed and was never paid for removing them. I have pictures for those also. The chain link section was 6 hours from being completed. The day before he fired me, he came outside when I was working and told me to be expecting some phone calls that he had recommended me to some co-workers that needed some work done, one was a kitchen remodel another was a privacy fence. That night he tried to call me (after 7:30). I was at my daughter's ball game and did not see the missed calls and text until the next morning. Because I didn't answer that night he panicked and went on ****** and seen some false info about me and believed it instead of the work that was right in front of him. As far as his dogs are concerned, I did not know he was paying to board them. He was walking a dog every few hours. I found out later about the other dogs, so I brought out my own kennel gates and chain link and put up a temporary fence to contain his dogs. The material I used is around **** if I have to replace it. He told me to come get it by text and then turned around and threatened me if I came back to his property, I decided to I will have to let law enforcement handle it. There was around **** left to finish the 106 foot of chain link fence. As of now I have not received any compensation for my material or the additional work and will have to take legal action and I have all the pictures and text to prove my case. He should have just waited two days, to let me finish. 

  Customer response

  12/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 20860248
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Ray Smith's entire response to the complaint is chocked full of lies. Eddie Smith, Drake Smith, whichever alias he is choosing to go by today. The man is a scammer, a fraud, and an incompetent contractor. He is the one who owes me money- thousands. Even after all his lies, scams, and theft, I gave him a week to get his field fencing. Then he waited to the end of the week to tell me that he couldn't get it, and he would pick it up the next week. I said no. It was Thanksgivings week, and my family had plans. The entire project was supposed to be finished by the third week of October. I have a horrible eyesore now surrounding my backyard, and it has cost me thousands of dollars. I will be taking him to civil court and possibly seeking criminal charges as he tried to conceal his real identity due to his past legal issues.     
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  05/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  My 80 year old parents paid Mr. ********************** a total of $9214 for down payment and supplies 4/13 and 4/17. He misrepresented himself as a licensed contractor. He did not return to do the work and even admitted he spent the money for his daughters wedding. (Who knows if thats true.) He just tells one lie after another. We have contacted him repeatedly and he just makes excuses. MAKES ME SICK!!! How could he sleep at night doing this to disabled elderly people on a fixed income??? Going to ***************** office.

  Customer response

  05/18/2023

  We have filed an official complaint with Lauderdale *********************** Ed ********************** just continues to tell one lie after another. Looks like he is definitely a repeat offender. He is currently on probation and has a suspended sentence. We have high hopes he will pay up before he goes back to jail. 

  Business response

  05/19/2023

  The customer hired me to repair their garage. Start up was a couple of weeks out on schedule. They were 3rd in line. I had completed the 1st customer and was midway through completing the job in front of their job. I was in constant communication with customer. Customer called me and said i had stolen ***** dollars from a lady and never did her job .i happened to know this person and called her. I never worked for this lady. {it was a different company, same last name} the lady called the customer and explained that it was not me but recommended me.' It didn't matter they had hired someone else before firing me. I was fired on a Friday, their job was scheduled for the following Tuesday, They wanted the material money returned. I explained to them that i would have to return the material from the places it was purchased before refund. All of this took pace on Friday. The following Monday her husband was calling threatening myself and my wife. Now there is a police report on her husband, i offered to complete the garage. They declined..My daughter is getting married soon. Her wedding was paid for by herself and fiance a year ago, This complaint is just one lie after another. i have the text and recordings that show facts. Bottom line is they wanted me to pull off of the job i was on and put them first.

  Customer response

  05/19/2023

   
  Complaint: 20032151
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
    This had nothing to do with wanting to be first in line. It was because after he took over $9000 from my elderly parents, I searched and found his criminal history. He has yet to return the money. It is in the hands of the sheriffs department. He is on probation and also unlicensed. He just tells one lie after another. 
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩