ComplaintsforParsons Farm

• Initial Complaint

  09/23/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 9/12/21 - I contacted Parsons to order 6 yards of topsoil for over seeding my lawn. I made it clear that although I didn't need the enriched compost, that it had to be screened. They assured me they had screened soil without rocks and other debris that would be fine for over seeding. On 9/13/21- They delivered the top soil and was paid cash $242. I was sick but from my bedroom window, I could tell it wasn't the right soil and spoke with the delivery man who again assured me it was appropriate. That evening 5pm I saw the soil and it was clear that it was never screened. It was filled with rocks, pebbles, and debris, wood pieces etc. and could never be used for overseeding a lawn. On 9/14/21 after speaking Penny- she said they would return the cash minus the delivery charge of $75. On 9/16 I spoke with Penny and emailed pictures of the soil as it was not usable and I had to get it out of my driveway. it is not usable and was not what they said it was.

  Business response

  10/27/2021

  On 9/13/21, *** ******** called into our office and set up a delivery for 6 yards of screened topsoil to be delivered.  We only have ONE type of screened topsoil and that is what we delivered. SHE NEVER CAME IN TO SEE THE SOIL, SHE ORDERED IT AND WE DELIVERED WHAT SHE ASKED FOR.  Once the delivery arrived, she yelled from a window to my driver to make sure we were delivering topsoil.  Later on, once she had been out to see the topsoil, she called into the office to say it was not what she ordered and it was not screened.  We sell thousands of yards of this product a year, it was screened topsoil.  When she called back, we decided to give her back $167 of her $242 for the product but we kept the delivery fee, which was ok for her at that time.  Then she called back again several days later wanting the rest of her money back.  
  
  We feel we have done everything we can to make this right.  She ordered the soil without coming to see it to make sure it was what she wanted/needed for her yard.  When she was not happy with it, we refunded her money minus the delivery fee and now she wants that money back as well and wants us to pick up the topsoil. 
   
  Parsons Farm has been in business in Prince William County for over 50 years.  All the products that are sold here are on display for anybody to come see before purchasing, we are open 6 days a week.  If she was uncertain in what she was buying she should have come into the office and looked.
  
  All in all, it basically boils down to her wanting something for nothing. She should have researched BULK soil versus BAG soil before purchasing.

  Customer response

  10/28/2021

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  The response is a complete fabrication. When I contacted Parsons I made it clear that I was looking for screened top soil to over seed my lawn.  They informed me they had two kinds- soil enriched and screened -- I asked if I needed the enriched and they said no that the screened would be fine.  When delivered, I had COVID and was unable to go outside.  I opened my window and said to the delivery man- " I don't think this is the right soil as it does not look screened".  The man replied that he knew for a fact it was screened. When I was able to go outside later, I took pictures and tried to call immediately and they were closed. The next day I spoke with Penny and informed her of the what took place and that I had pictures.  I was not ok with not receiving the remaining $75 and also made that clear but was told that was the only option. I even asked if they were going to keep the delivery charge would they at least come pick it back up as it was not usable, but they refused.  That day, I emailed Penny several pictures and asked for a response the remaining $75 and received no response.  On October 16, 2021- I went to Parsons with a friend to speak to someone in person.  The delivery man was there and pointed for us to speak to the man in the window.  When the man asked what we needed- without telling him who we were, we took out the pictures of the soil and asked him " would you consider this "screened" top soil?" Without hesitation, he replied NO- and the delivery man heard as well.  At that point, we began to tell him the circumstances but he already knew and said- " oh you're the person who called the BBB" and I said yes.  Again, the manager Penny was not there or available and we have again never head back from anyone.  If I wanted something for free, I would not have requested them to come pick it back up from my driveway.  When I called to get the soil, I was not told to come and see it as they stated they only had two kinds - enriched or screened and assured me that the screened would be sufficient.  I should be able to trust what the Parson's staff is telling me-- it is clear they were needing money and didn't care what they sold me.  They were happy to take my cash - It is clear now whey they have awful reviews - for being around for 50 years its quite sad that they are only rated 2 stars out of 5.  That speaks volumes and you would think they would care more about taking care of customers when a mistake is made -- I actually had to pay someone to come get the unscreened crap soil from my driveway- Definitely not how you run a business - at the very least they should have been willing to give me a credit to use for the other soil next year - or they could have come and picked up the dirt and sold it to someone else.  
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ********

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