Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  May 15 we paid $780 to have the septic tank drained and to replace a pipe. We were told the tank needed to be replaced because it was 50 years old. A proposal was received to replace it for $10,000--the proposal identifies the tank as concrete. On Jul 3 we made a deposit of $5000.00. On July 31 the crew arrived, dug up the lawn, and told us the tank couldn't be replaced because they hadn't known it was concrete. Instead they would install a new one in a different location but it would need a $3500 pump, plus electrician fees to connect the pump ($2000+), plus more digging up of landscape. We told them we had the $10,000 but no more. They agreed to cancel and told us we would be liable for $400 for the permit. We then waited until September 5, to receive a refund of our $5000 deposit. We received only $3666.80. We subsequently learned the tank does not need replacing. We paid $300 to have the landscape restored.

  Business response

  11/14/2024

  Upon initial visit, it was discovered that this was a concrete tank original to when the house was built. The technician explained that the replacement was needed due to age, condition, and corrosion of components. The options for replacement were explained and an estimate was given. In addition to discussion onsite, a field copy and digital copy were also given to the customer outlining all costs for installation and potential County requirements related to replacement. Upon the customer signing of the Estimate, Contract, and County Authorization, we proceeded to acquire the plumbing and septic permits. Once the permits were received, the installation was scheduled with the customer. Upon arriving and beginning the installation, the customer indicated that he wanted us to stop work and requested that we cancel the contract and transfer the permits. The cancellation and transfer were approved and a refund was given less the fees paid for the permits that were to be transferred to the contractor of the homeowners choosing. The customer has had no further correspondence with our office indicating any concerns since receiving the refund. 
  
  The claim that the customer did not need a new tank would be invalid since the *** guidelines dictate that tanks of this age and condition be replaced. All licensed installers are held to the rules and guidelines of the ***, and therefore would be required to recommend replacement. New tank installation is the only permittable repair option for a 50 year old tank in this condition. 
  
  Upon receiving this BBB complaint, our office has reached out several times and has been unable to get a response from the customer. We would appreciate an opportunity to address his concerns, so ask that he either reach out to our office or let us know a time that he can be reached to discuss. 
  
  We appreciate your assistance in facilitating a resolution to this matter. 
  
  Thank  you,
  
  Lil' Stinky Environmental Service, Inc
  ************
  ***************************************************************
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  04/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The company is Lil Stinky Septic in Or City, ******. We were informed that we needed a new septic tank and decided on a concrete one from Lil Stinky. At the onset, ***** the owner was a terrible communicator, failed to return numerous calls regarding the install. Specific measurements needed to be done on our drainfield for the county and that never happened until we had to make a second request & remind ***** wed already paid for it!!! We were told there would be minimal damage to our lawn yet on the day of removal/install, The guys that came out to do the work did not have the correct tractor and therefore had to make numerous trips back-and-forth across our lawn which ended up being completely destroyed. (But not their responsibility?) On the last day of their work, one of the workers while leaving our property tore off our large gate. This is a wooden gate with a heavy duty interior black frame, the posts are 6 x 6 and sunk deep in concrete. ***** never once contacted us about the broken fence; no apology, no discussion with us personally about repair; rather he had one of his guys contact my husband and offer $200 to which we said NO! As it turned out, the metal frame had to be ordered, and it took three of his guys three days + to finally fix the fence between parts and labor totaling well over $200! And still, no call from *****! two weeks after the septic was installed we began to notice puddles of water, we smelled the water and realized it was raw sewage. This was on a Saturday and I contacted the company and submitted an emergent request to *****. STILL, no call back!! One of his guys ended up coming out and digging up the junction box to discover that yes, there was an issue. Two days after that we noticed more sewer water. My husband sent a photo and it is now two days later and we STILL have yet to hear from ***** or anyone from the company.. yet raw sewer water sits pooled in our lawn.. WORST company ever & ***** is a terrible business owner!

  Business response

  04/17/2023

  Customer contacted by owner *********************** on 4/07 to address BBB complaint that was filed that day. Customer stated that they were unhappy with communication throughout their project. It was explained to customer that her husbands phone number was the one on file so he was the one that was receiving the communication. The customer indicated that they were happy with the work performed and the gate repair that was paid for at the Companys expense. ***** agreed to come back and provide additional diagnostic services in addition to the services that were provided over the previous weekend,despite the unpaid remaining balance still due from customer for the work completed on 2/28.
  Notes from PM System indicate the following dates of communication with husband, *********************: 12/30, 1/10, 1/11, 1/16, 1/20, 1/27, 1/31, 2/1, 2/3,2/9, 2/17, 2/20, 2/23, 2/27, 2/28, 3/3, 3/6, 3/14, 3/20, 3/23, 4/3, 4,10
  Detailed Notes:
  12/30 Spoke with ***** via phone, ***** requested service to be provided Wed 1/11
  1/10 Spoke with ***** via phone to confirm service tomorrow 1/11
  1/11 Spoke with ***** rescheduled to Friday.
  1/16 Spoke with ***** regarding service performed and return visit scheduled for Monday
  1/27 Left message for *****
  1/27 ***** returned phone call, requested proposal for install
  1/31 provided proposal via email
  2/1 Spoke to ***** via phone
  2/3 received signed proposal, sent contract and auth for signature
  2/9 requested utility locates
  2/17 left message for ***** to notify tank installation on Monday
  2/17 ***** returned phone call
  2/20 Notified customer of this mornings arrival
  2/20 Went over contract agreement and had owner initial item 10 which indicates that we would not be putting back their paver stones.Notified need for pump package.
  2/21 Spoke with ***** via phone and notified of water test on Wed for Thurs inspection by County
  2/22 Called and left message regarding water test
  2/23 left message with ***** to notify that County canceled water test due to hazardous driving conditions.
  2/27 left message for ***** to notify water test tomorrow
  2/27 ***** returned phone call

  Customer response

  04/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 19910593
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The business response does not tell the whole story of the interactions with Lil Stinky/*********** 
  Suffice to say that I am glad the work is finally complete so we can move on. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Kim 

• Initial Complaint

  08/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  This business was contracted to remove a failed septic tank and replace it with a new one. Once that had been done, they failed to remove metal and concrete remains of the old tank as well as a dozen or so large boulders too heavy to lift. The area around the tank was left ungraded and littered with this debris for months. They claimed they needed to wait for drier weather to complete the cleanup. When they finally came back, they completed the grading, but failed to remove any of the debris. The workers said they hadn't been told to do that and didn't *************** to haul it, but they would alert their superior (*****). Many weeks passed and many messages to ***** went unanswered. Finally he replied that we should feel free to contact our quotes department for an estimate, indicating that he expected us to pay an additional cost for the removal. We had to pay a third party $1,034 to clean up the mess as were preparing to list the property for sale. We intend to file a small claims action.

*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. ↩