ComplaintsforSchonheit Gardens & Landscape

• Initial Complaint

  04/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Schonheit was hired to work on our property last year and left the project. They broke the contract summer of 2022. They say we were 'too picky' when we started to ask what they were doing.We want BBB to help ** by getting them to correct information online to properly portray their abilities, use current project pictures, update employee information, etc.Put simply, they bit off more than they could chew with our project. When questioned, we overheard the managers (rarely there) speaking about having to rip out and redo.The owner, however, played it off like everything was fine and their 'expert' (sales background from what we could tell) agreed. Schonheit's work was a mess it was plain to see huge problems, and the document attached is just a snippet. We may have come to an agreement through lawyers; however, nothing was filed in court, and we made SURE we did not sign away our ability to speak truthfully of the incident.We have given them plenty of time to update their presence online, they have not done so.We would have to think most people are not going to double check what they are told by going to the literal stone supply company and asking the same questions. Just about every point was different when the experts gave an answer. So, we double checked. More experts, more of the same answers led ** to believe Schonheit did not truthfully lead ** anywhere.When confronted, that is when they left versus trying to fix their mistakes. Anyways, Schonheit may have started in ****, however it is a far cry from that company when it sold and now owned by people in IL, for what seems like an investment.While it would be fantastic if we could recoup more of our $45,000 they got from us, or more considering the amount of dirt and such removed - we at least need BBB's help to urge Schonheit to list their company accurately online.This way, others do not see the 'pretty pictures' and 'nice reviews' and get sucked down into a project Schonheit cannot handle.

  Business response

  04/28/2023

  Response to Clients complaint to BBB
  04/20/2023
  This responds to the BBB correspondence dated April 12, 2023. 
  Were sorry this clients (****************) experience didnt match her expectations.  We have not had any other issues with clients, and attribute that to the nature of this particular client, who was unreasonable and frankly impossible to work with.   We set high standards for ourselves and stand by our 20 years of successful work.
  There was indeed a dispute over the contract.  It was resolved without litigation, with Ms.******* *************** The resolution, in the form of a written settlement agreement (enclosed), included returning a significant portion of the clients deposit and leaving at the clients home a considerable amount of valuable building materials that were purchased for the project.  The Loebers signed a release of all claims that prohibits them from pursuing any claims for money against Schonheit.  Their complaints were addressed through a full and final settlement agreement and have been waived. 
  The complaint to the BBB focuses on internet information related to Schonheit.  First, it references online references over which Schonheit has no control (Yelp, Zoominfo, Manta,etc.).  Second, the current active website for Schonheit contains accurate information.   The allegations of false advertising simply are without any basis.  We have experienced landscape professionals and field managers.  We have professional management, and we stand by our unvarnished track record, and the hundreds of satisfied clients we have served over the years. 
  If there are any additional questions, please let us know. 
  

  Customer response

  05/07/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Please see the very detailed response attached. If the images are not appearing correctly within the pdf, please let ** know. 

  Regards,
  
  **************************************

  Business response

  05/08/2023

  see attached

  ********************************
  5060 ***********************************
  ********* ** 53558-9155
  ********************
  
  RE: File ****** (Refer to this number when contacting **********)
  Schonheit Gardens Landscaping LLC
  **************** T
  *********** ** 53590-9755
  
  Dear ********************************:
  I received the enclosed response from Schonheit Gardens Landscaping LLC concerning the
  complaint you filed with our office.
  I have recorded your complaint in our computer database, and it will be included in information
  provided to consumers who inquire about the business for a three-year period. It will also assist
  ** in monitoring practices of the business community.
  Thank you for bringing your complaint to our attention.

  Customer response

  05/08/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  This is not a response from Schonheit. Actually, all Schonheit has done is strengthened our case, which we suppose is appreciated. So, thank you.

   They have not answered anything regarding numerous points of the last correspondence. Namely, their website includes a lovely story, fantastic pictures of project samples and more - as well as additional claims made online that led ** to believe they were capable of completing our project. 

  When 'digging' online, that was not done during our due diligence phase since it requires more than a cursory search... more and more information shows a picture that is a bit more clear on why Schonheit was unable to deliver upon their promises within contracts. Additionally, it becomes clear why they are unable to provide a finished project similar to the example photographs we pointed out as liking when meeting with their employees. It answers why we would often have only 1 person here working. 

  If they would like to open the can of worms regarding contracts, that is up to them... we have a LOT of correspondence between their employees, several more contracts than those pictures they sent, statements regarding payments, and more not even mentioned due to the settlement. Additionally, the only reason DATCP has those few contracts - is because they asked for them! We are not going to sue *********************** nor are we expecting any further monetary return. 

  Since we anticipated this, our lawyer prepared a 'canned response' for **. 

  The Settlement Agreement & Release does not contain a confidentiality or non-disparagement provision. What we posted/said is true, and we have every right to express our frustrations/concerns/issues/etc.

  We are speaking the truth, evidenced by pictures, information freely accessible online, interviews with members of the landscape / contractor community and more to educate ourselves and learn what should have, would have, and could have happened. Frankly, it is good they bailed on the project and we got actual experts in here. Additionally, they took pity upon ** and squeezed ** in between their other projects so that we did not go through the freeze / thaw cycle with a perilous condition. It cost ** a pretty ***** to fix the mess Schonheit caused. So, if they would like to talk contracts, we have that contract (as well as drawings) that are a million times better, by comparison. 

  Our landscaping remains unfinished to this day. 

   
  Regards,
  
  **************************************

*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. ↩