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 GirvanB次元官网网址檚 door last Tuesday and offered to power rake and aerate his yard for $80.
B次元官网网址淚 said, B次元官网网址楧one, go for it, seriously,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Girvan told Peace Arch B次元官网网址 Wednesday.
B次元官网网址淗e came back to see the backyard and then said it was going to be $180. I said, B次元官网网址榃ell, you know what, I know how much work it is. Do it, go for it.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Girvan went on with his day until the job was complete.
B次元官网网址淚 went and looked at the front yard and nothing has been done. Absolutely nothing has been done,B次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淐lick on the website and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 connect. I phoned the number and it says the phone number no longer exists B次元官网网址� I couldnB次元官网网址檛 get a hold of anybody,B次元官网网址� Girvan said, adding that the manager was also unable to connect with the B次元官网网址渉ead office.B次元官网网址�
Attempts to reach the company made by PAN Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful. The company website doesnB次元官网网址檛 appear to be working.
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The manager reportedly told Girvan that the company subcontracts the work, and that he B次元官网网址渃anB次元官网网址檛 blame our company on the poor job this guy did.B次元官网网址�
Girvan suggested to the manager that he contact the landscaper who did the work, but the manager said the subcontractorB次元官网网址檚 phone battery was dead.
Girvan drove around the neighbourhood until he found the landscaper who did the work, he said.
B次元官网网址淗e said he doesnB次元官网网址檛 own a phone. I phoned the (manager) back again and said B次元官网网址榳hatB次元官网网址檚 going on? This is your company, youB次元官网网址檙e kicking some (butt) and making some money.B次元官网网址� I said B次元官网网址榶ouB次元官网网址檝e got no idea whoB次元官网网址檚 working for you, whatB次元官网网址檚 going on? Wheres the quality control?B次元官网网址�
Girvan said the landscaper offered to return the $180, but Girvan refused to take it as he just wanted the job to be done.
B次元官网网址淢y yard is a mess, heB次元官网网址檚 got the money, IB次元官网网址檒l never see him again.B次元官网网址�
Girvan said his motivation for contacting PAN was so that readers could learn from his mistake.
B次元官网网址淭he public needs to be warned. I grew up here, I used to cut the grass for these people. TheyB次元官网网址檙e old, theyB次元官网网址檙e retired, they donB次元官网网址檛 have time to go out there and do the weeding and stuff. And youB次元官网网址檙e coming in here, $200, wham-bam out the door. No phone number, no card, no receipt, nothing.
B次元官网网址淚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, itB次元官网网址檚 like a shell company that doesnB次元官网网址檛 exist.B次元官网网址�
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.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 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,B次元官网网址� Wright said.
Wright said that if someone feels theyB次元官网网址檝e been a victim of a scam, then they should B次元官网网址渁bsolutelyB次元官网网址� 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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