Tree trimming muck up - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 08-30-2012, 10:37 PM

I had a fellow do some tree work for me a week or so ago. I gave him a written list of what I wanted him to do because last time he did work for me it seemed that after he was "done" he had not done all that we discussed verbally.

So he gets done and I look at the work from my deck. There is a huge bare spot in my woods now and after looking there was a tree that he was supposd to leave after cutting out the dead and wind damaged ones.

So I talk to him tonight and asked him why he took the extra tree out. He said when he took one of the ones on the list it fell and broke the top out of the tree in question so he went ahead and took it too since "He was sure I woudln't want a tree with the top broken out."

And he charged me extra for taking the extra tree out (which I did not want taken out).

I am feeling a bit shat on.

I feel he should have called me about the extra tree. Rather than a bare zone in my woods I believe I would have chosen to keep the tree with the broken top, neatly cut off so it could keep growing. Charging me extra for a mistake by him seems over the top.

cmbdiesel · #2 08-30-2012, 10:49 PM

I would absolutely not pay extra for that tree being taken out, and it would be the last work that he got from me.
Seems like he pulled out strikes 2 and 3 at the same time.

jplinville · #3 08-30-2012, 10:49 PM

If you've already paid the bill, there may be a problem. If you haven't, explain your issue with him and see if you get relief. If you don't, a trip to small claims wouldn't be out of order...

Brian Carlton · #4 08-31-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I am feeling a bit shat on.

We manufactured a nut that was .0005" undersized. The cost of this nut to manufacture (for reference only) was about $500. So, I stopped at the nickel plater and explained my situation and desired them to plate only the locating diameter and mask the remainder of the nut. Getting nickel anywhere else on the nut would be a problem because it would need to be reground and then sent back to black oxide at significant additional expense.

So, he explained that the nickel might escape onto the chamfer during the process. Not a problem............I could sand it off with 400 paper. I did not ask the cost (figuring about $100).

They return the nut..........there is nickel that leaked all over the face and it's a disaster and requires regrind. The diameter has too much nickel and requires regrind. After regrind, it requires another black oxide treatment.

An unmitigated disaster............just like your trees.

The price: $295.

In this situation, I simply decline to pay. It's so out of bounds of any realistic cost or quality that they deserve nothing.

I do wish to explain my situation to the President of the company and request the name of the President via the website. No response.

I send in another request for the name of the President of the company............no response.

Well, they can go f' themselves.

Another vendor that has their hand out for money when they are unwilling to do a proper job.

You should do the same...........DON'T PAY 'EM.

BobK · #5 08-31-2012, 07:53 AM

My take: Did he substantially complete the work as ordered? All trees requested trimed or removed? Did you tell him to speak with you if there were any problems/questions/changes before proceding? Sounds like he did the work requested but also a bit more based on his own judgement call. You already knew he was a bit "challenged" when it came to directions, so I assume you employed him again to give him another chance to make a living. We both know trees don't always fall the way we think they will/should. Friend lost a nephew two weeks ago in a logging accident where tree went the wrong way.
So he had some bad luck and then compounded the problem by making a bad call. I don't think he is intentionally trying to do you wrong, just not too smart. Unfortunately, the teachable moment has probably passed. Don't feel too bad, just pay the bill and (hopefully) stay warm burning the wood in your stove/fireplace. Oh, and don't hire him anymore.

cmbdiesel · #6 08-31-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

My take: Did he substantially complete the work as ordered? All trees requested trimed or removed? Did you tell him to speak with you if there were any problems/questions/changes before proceding? Sounds like he did the work requested but also a bit more based on his own judgement call. You already knew he was a bit "challenged" when it came to directions, so I assume you employed him again to give him another chance to make a living. We both know trees don't always fall the way we think they will/should. Friend lost a nephew two weeks ago in a logging accident where tree went the wrong way.
So he had some bad luck and then compounded the problem by making a bad call. I don't think he is intentionally trying to do you wrong, just not too smart. Unfortunately, the teachable moment has probably passed. Don't feel too bad, just pay the bill and (hopefully) stay warm burning the wood in your stove/fireplace. Oh, and don't hire him anymore.

The teachable moment is here and now. Do not pay extra for the tree that was removed without authorization. Further, I would indicate that because I'm such a nice guy, I will not be seeking redress for the damages.
Paying the entire bill is not doing that guy any favors, next time he could end up with his azz in the ringer.

Stretch · #7 08-31-2012, 08:27 AM

Does the tree that was removed have any value?

How much money could this chap make from it if he were to sell it - even for logs? Could there be a more sinister reason for this mistake?

pmckechnie · #8 08-31-2012, 08:44 AM

My guess. When he cut another tree it fell into the tree you wanted to keep, as he said. The reason he cut it down was it was easier to cut the second tree down than to cut the first tree that was stuck in the second tree out of the second tree. Did that make sense? That didn't make it the correct thing to do, but the easy way out.

Paul

t walgamuth · #9 08-31-2012, 09:04 AM

Yeah, I am probably going to just pay the bill. His prices are pretty low and he is a good neighbor.

Did I mention that he once served time in prison for shooting a guy?

Its hard to believe by talking to him he is articulate and extremely polite and gregarious.

In musing over it I think he may be semi literate and have trouble with written instructions....and verbal ones!