A South Surrey man says he learned a tough lesson after putting his faith in a door-to-door solicitor who offered landscaping work at an unbeatable price.
The landscaper knocked on Alasdair Girvan香蕉视频直播檚 door last Tuesday and offered to power rake and aerate his yard for $80.
香蕉视频直播淚 said, 香蕉视频直播楧one, go for it, seriously,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈 Girvan told Peace Arch News Wednesday.
香蕉视频直播淗e came back to see the backyard and then said it was going to be $180. I said, 香蕉视频直播榃ell, you know what, I know how much work it is. Do it, go for it.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈
Girvan went on with his day until the job was complete.
香蕉视频直播淚 went and looked at the front yard and nothing has been done. Absolutely nothing has been done,香蕉视频直播� Girvan said, adding that his backyard was badly damaged because it was aerated when the ground was soaking wet.
Girvan said he had to leave for an appointment, and when he returned he drove around the neighbourhood searching for the landscaper.
He found the manager of the operation, who provided Girvan with contact information for the company, which is based out of Ontario.
香蕉视频直播淐lick on the website and it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 connect. I phoned the number and it says the phone number no longer exists 香蕉视频直播� I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 get a hold of anybody,香蕉视频直播� Girvan said, adding that the manager was also unable to connect with the 香蕉视频直播渉ead office.香蕉视频直播�
Attempts to reach the company made by PAN Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful. The company website doesn香蕉视频直播檛 appear to be working.
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The manager reportedly told Girvan that the company subcontracts the work, and that he 香蕉视频直播渃an香蕉视频直播檛 blame our company on the poor job this guy did.香蕉视频直播�
Girvan suggested to the manager that he contact the landscaper who did the work, but the manager said the subcontractor香蕉视频直播檚 phone battery was dead.
Girvan drove around the neighbourhood until he found the landscaper who did the work, he said.
香蕉视频直播淗e said he doesn香蕉视频直播檛 own a phone. I phoned the (manager) back again and said 香蕉视频直播榳hat香蕉视频直播檚 going on? This is your company, you香蕉视频直播檙e kicking some (butt) and making some money.香蕉视频直播� I said 香蕉视频直播榶ou香蕉视频直播檝e got no idea who香蕉视频直播檚 working for you, what香蕉视频直播檚 going on? Wheres the quality control?香蕉视频直播�
Girvan said the landscaper offered to return the $180, but Girvan refused to take it as he just wanted the job to be done.
香蕉视频直播淢y yard is a mess, he香蕉视频直播檚 got the money, I香蕉视频直播檒l never see him again.香蕉视频直播�
Girvan said his motivation for contacting PAN was so that readers could learn from his mistake.
香蕉视频直播淭he public needs to be warned. I grew up here, I used to cut the grass for these people. They香蕉视频直播檙e old, they香蕉视频直播檙e retired, they don香蕉视频直播檛 have time to go out there and do the weeding and stuff. And you香蕉视频直播檙e coming in here, $200, wham-bam out the door. No phone number, no card, no receipt, nothing.
香蕉视频直播淚t pissed me off. People need to know about it. This is something that happens time and time again. And this company came all the way from Ontario to canvas the neighbourhood? No, it香蕉视频直播檚 like a shell company that doesn香蕉视频直播檛 exist.香蕉视频直播�
Surrey RCMP Const. Richard Wright said, due to the privacy act, he cannot confirm nor deny any investigations that may or may not be ongoing.
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However, Wright did offer advice to residents if they receive a visit from a door-to-door solicitor.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 best not to sign up for the business right away. A legitimate business will have some sort of reference they can work with, a business card, a website. (Residents) can do their own research into the business before choosing whether or not to engage that business,香蕉视频直播� Wright said.
Wright said that if someone feels they香蕉视频直播檝e been a victim of a scam, then they should 香蕉视频直播渁bsolutely香蕉视频直播� make a police report.
Wright also offered a website link to provincial information on reporting consumer fraud with Consumer Protection BC and Better Business Bureau. That information can be .
aaron.hinks@peacearchnews.com
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