Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  05/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Greater Bay was hired by our neighbors at 8873 Osprey Ln to do tree work, stump removal. The tree work was on the property line, some trees on their side and some on ours with a privacy wire fence between them. Neither party let us know this work was going to be done. 04/29/22 We came home from work and all the debris and employees were in our driveway. After they cleaned that up the and left, neighbor came over to us to advise the stumps will be removed tomorrow, so my husband removed the privacy fence to make it easier for the stump removal. 04/30/22 the stumps were removed only at 8873 not at our address 8897. I just looked it up there was no permit pulled and these Cedar trees were there when we moved in 33 years ago. Then another employee came out the same day to remove a huge stump at 8873 and the stump fork got caught in our 6' chain link fence mangled/tore it up 8873 side (south) and the back side (east). After many texts to repair fence rescheduling 3 times to have them fix it they came out on 05/21/22 with the cheapest material they could find (fence was there when we moved in 33 years ago) we asked them to replace the slats too on the backside (east) and the south side neighbors are putting up a fence so it was not necessary. They refused to put the slats in and did a horrible job and left us with the debris to clean up. The fence is so loose we called the manager and he yelled at us that they are not a fence company and if you think it is so easy to fix it why don't you do it yourself. We called the owner and he said he is done, done with employees done with Covid and cannot promise us anything. They sent the guys back to pick up the debris and I advised one to see how this job is not acceptable and to use some more tie straps and why is the wire way above the post it should be in the ground and no slats. That employee was the one who caused the damage and then told me he was videoing me and I advised him that that is against the law.

  

  Business response

  06/22/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/26) */ We do apoligize for any misunderstanding or inconvenience our services for your neighbor may have caused you. I wasn't initially informed by my employee that this had taken place, but instructed my salesman to handle the situation as soon as I became aware. Unfortunately I was in the middle of a family emergency while this was taking place and couldn't give it my undivided attention. The stump in question had the chainlink grown into it and while grinding it the fence got caught in our stump grinder wheel I spoke with your husband and gave him the option of us fixing it or having a professional fence company out to handle it. He said for us to fix it. I didn't really know that we had to inform you we were working on your neighbors property but ok I'll make sure on future jobs I knock on all neighbors doors surrounding our clients property so they are all up to speed on what we are doing in the neighborhood. I don't believed a permit is required to remove a cedar tree on a privately owned property as per H.B. 1159 However I may be mistaken, but as an ISA Certified Arborist I'm confident I'd know if it was required or not. I'm not really sure what any of this has to do with a cedar tree as the one growing into the chainlink wasn't a cedar but actually a Cherry Laurel and is considered to be invasive to our area and a total nuisance. As they grow very fast and break very easy as their wood is very soft. They also spread outwardly from the main trunk with pups shooting out of the ground that most normal people and municipal arborists would love to eradicate them completely. I do regret not being available to supervise this process personally, but I had to drive to Washington State to see my dying father for the last time. My guys did come out and repair your fence as I said we would. I'm very sorry our repair wasn't up to your standards but we did repair your fence in an effort of good will as we did cause the damage. When you called I had just returned back from my 6400 mile round trip cross country pilgrimage in 7 days to visit my father so I was probably a little frazzled and on edge when you started barking at me, which obviously put me on the defense being tired and mentally whacked out from lack of sleep. As you can see from our reviews we strive for complete customer satisfaction on all our jobs, but occasionally things happen out of our control and when they do we always try to rectify the situation. Unfortunately you weren't happy with our fence repair using brand new materials to fix the weathered fence around your yard. I realize that you can't make everybody happy no matter how hard we may try, so I'll put this into the learning file to help to improve our service standards and guidelines moving forward. Thanks and we appreciate your feedback. Also, There were two tree companies hired by your neighbors. We only cut down the cherry laurel, we did not cut the cedar trees, that was a different company hired by one of the roommates. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/06/02) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Neighbor witnesses: Greater Bay cut ALL the trees in the front on 04/29, 3 Cedars left stumps. You used our property to do the entire job. Greater Bay did the stump removed in neighbors back yard 04/30 mangled our fence. It does not matter who did the stump work Greater Bay cut the trees without a permit or our permission. Cedar Trees work well as windbreaks, helping to protect other trees/plants. They also keep valuable topsoil in place, act as windbreaks along the edges of agricultural land. Cedars also protect the soil from being eroded by water, also keep termites away. Cedar crops soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere & convert into oxygen. The owner of Greater Bay claims he's a ISA Certified Arborist & should know this, maybe you need a refresher course. Called owner on 05/03/22 that did not know anything about this & he said he will call us back. 05/04/22 no call back called owner again, he said to my husband get a fence comp & he will pay the bill. We immediately text him to confirm & his response: "I have no idea who you are or what you are talking about". Tried calling back would not answer. Mgr called stating the owners dad is sick & at the airport to catch a flight, DO NOT call him again I will take care of you. We asked if he was sending a fence comp-he said NO we will fix your fence. Owner's BBB statement he drove & if he did on 05/04 a cross county pilgrimage 7 days upon his return calculates May 10th/11th what is the truth? Multiple scheduling mgr cancelations they came out 05/21with the cheapest material on the market. We asked them to put the slats in/more straps we had the material the staff said mgr said not to. Staff here called the mgr 11:40a he was yell at us if fixing your fence is so easy why don't you do it yourself, I will will pull off the road & call back. Staff ran out of here leaving us a shabby job & debris. 11:55a no call back from mgr called owner. If owner wants to say that I was barking at him he has a different perspective of life, I was nothing but kind sympathizing over his dad along with having employees. Owner said he was scraping the bottom of the barrel with mgr/staff he is done with his business. Every phone call now are like mine he can not promise us with anything. Owner said we were innocent bystanders mgr should not be yelling. Owner left Florida 05/04 for 7 days it is 05/21that we spoke. Mgr text us staff will be back to get debris. Staff back refused to finish the job per mgr while taking illegal video of me without my knowledge, I was pointing out the flaws. Staff took the debris & left. ISA Certified Arborist needs to meet local requirements obtain permit to operate within your state municipality. Arborists know property lines, code of ethics, mutual agreements with neighbors. Arborists know safety/health of trees following industrial standards. H.B. 1159 Private Property Rights: Removal of trees on residential property if property owner obtains specified documentation, do you have proof the neighbor has this documentation. Who in there right mind would say No we DON'T want a fence company to repair our fence we want Greater Bay Tree Service to do it. Weathered fence? You can not get a stronger fence than what we have/had. This fence went thru hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions in 33 years without one dent/bend. Material purchased by Greater Bay will not withstand a tropical depression . It is loose, dangerous event if neighbor dogs/our dog got out. We put up a temporary fence to secure it on 04/30 you just leaned a small piece of plywood 4' high for 3 weeks, could of been law suit-we took care of that for you. You never came here once to look for yourself so how do you have knowledge to say anything, you are going by 2nd/3rd information from your staff. You cut the 3 Cedars you place them, you ruined our fence hire a fence company. Fess up be an honest owner, stop lying. We went to work like normal on 04/29 came home to a disaster of destruction that extended into the next day.

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