topic Re: I also need to vent in Community Chat

I also need to vent

cookinfreak — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:24:23 GMT

I live in a townhome, but we don't have a HOA. There is only 1 driveway which is on my property and everyone parks in the back in or by their garages. (There is a total of 5 townhomes). I hired a snow removal services to clean the driveway and behind my garage and the company said it would charge me $95.00 to do this. I don't do it myself as I don't have a snowblower and it's waaay to much work to shovel myself. Nobody else would help clear it either. Got my invoice for snow removal for 2 different times. One chg is for $95 and the other is $145. She then ran my debit card (for around $286) that they had on file from last year (without my consent this year for and when I contacted her about the error, she would no longer return emails or calls. We'vd had 2 more snow falls that they came and cleared the driveway and the same thing. One chg for $95 and one for $145. Going to send a check minus the $100 she has overcharged me for and see what happens. She has been told this many times. I would love to give them the boot, but with winter, the other companies are booked so I'm kind of stuck for this year. But when spring comes, she is going to get an earful and then some.

Thanks. Feel better

cookin

Re: I also need to vent

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:41:08 GMT

You might try writing "Paid in Full" in the memo line at the bottom left area of your check.

Re: I also need to vent

eddyandme — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:42:24 GMT

I know it's hard to find someone for plowing.

Many years ago out of desparation, I mentioned it at my local hardware store (I live in a small town). Got me a plowman - we've been friends for years!

Nowadays it should be somewhat easier. Most cities/towns have a private site on facebook where residents can just joins (free). You can then post a question asking for plowman recommendations. Members will respond, with dollar signs - the number of which represents cheap, expensive and some will even tell you to PM (private message) them if interested. At the same time members will evaluate - so you'll know if they're happy with a specificservice.

Re: I also need to vent

Carmie — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:52:12 GMT

I would cancel my debit card immediately and get a new one reissued. That way she could not charge you again. Do not send a check if they aren't answering your calls!

When they invoice you or call, explain that they are overcharging you and they already have some of your money paid to use towards your bill. If you can't get ahold of them, do it in writing with a registered letter.

Then give them a CC number, not a debit card. You can easily disput a CC charge with your bank if they overcharge again.

I would also try to find a different company to do,snow removal for the next season.The one you are using is not on the up and up.

Re: I also need to vent

scatcat — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:57:50 GMT

The fact that she has your debit card and can charge it at whim for wherever she wants is worrisome.

One more reason to not own a debit card

Re: I also need to vent

Foxxee — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:16:08 GMT

Of course, cost to plow depends on the size of your driveway and inches of snow.

Sounds like a lot to me.

Do you use Next Door, the community website? If not, sign up. Ask for someone who can plow for you at a reasonable rate. Often other people will recommend someone. It's better to use them than someone you don't know.

I have no advice to give as far as settling your problem with your current company other than don't pay for what you were overcharged.

Re: I also need to vent

Peaches McPhee — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:53:05 GMT

Good grief, what a bother for you.

If you cannot get a straight answer from them about why the additional $$ was charged, you have no recourse except to call your bank and let them know someone is using your debit card without your consent, and see what recourse you have.

But this undoubtedly will cause them to drop you as a client.

Suggestion: contact one of your neighbors to see if they will clear your driveway if you pay them. If they are right there anyway, they might be willing for a price. Especiallly if they use a blower versus a shovel.

Re: I also need to vent

Peaches McPhee — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:55:24 GMT

Wait a second, I just re-read the OP. Are they still charging your debit card, and if so, why are you sending a check?

Re: I also need to vent

Caffeina — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:56:33 GMT

@cookinfreak wrote:
I live in a townhome, but we don't have a HOA. There is only 1 driveway which is on my property and everyone parks in the back in or by their garages. (There is a total of 5 townhomes). I hired a snow removal services to clean the driveway and behind my garage and the company said it would charge me $95.00 to do this. I don't do it myself as I don't have a snowblower and it's waaay to much work to shovel myself. Nobody else would help clear it either. Got my invoice for snow removal for 2 different times. One chg is for $95 and the other is $145. She then ran my debit card (for around $286) that they had on file from last year (without my consent this year for and when I contacted her about the error, she would no longer return emails or calls. We'vd had 2 more snow falls that they came and cleared the driveway and the same thing. One chg for $95 and one for $145. Going to send a check minus the $100 she has overcharged me for and see what happens. She has been told this many times. I would love to give them the boot, but with winter, the other companies are booked so I'm kind of stuck for this year. But when spring comes, she is going to get an earful and then some.
Thanks. Feel better
cookin

Did you get that in writing before the work was done?

Re: I also need to vent

CelticCrafter — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:10:57 GMT

I'm confused, is it your driveway that you let others use or is it a community driveway?

Re: I also need to vent

cookinfreak — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:34:59 GMT

@CelticCrafter

It is a community driveway. They can get in thru a driveway a block over, but most who are in my little group use the one by my townhome. I am sending a check because I deducted the amount of overcharges and I talked to my bank about a new debit card.

@Peaches McPhee

I have the driveway plowed because if I didn't it wouldn't get done. My next door neighbor and I are also the only ones who shovel our sidewalks.

cookin

Re: I also need to vent

chrystaltree — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:38:23 GMT

@scatcat wrote:
The fact that she has your debit card and can charge it at whim for wherever she wants is worrisome.

One more reason to not own a debit card

That's funny. LOL how is it the debit card's fault. LOL If they had a credit card number, they would be charging that.

Re: I also need to vent

occasionalrain — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 23:44:47 GMT

You can dispute a charge on your credit card and they will investigate but very much harder to dispute when the charge is to a debit card.

Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to buy a snow blower and more fun to do it yourself.

Have you reported this company to the Better Business Bureau?

Re: I also need to vent

Drythe — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 20:17:57 GMT

@cookinfreak wrote:
@CelticCrafter
It is a community driveway. They can get in thru a driveway a block over, but most who are in my little group use the one by my townhome. I am sending a check because I deducted the amount of overcharges and I talked to my bank about a new debit card.
@Peaches McPhee
I have the driveway plowed because if I didn't it wouldn't get done. My next door neighbor and I are also the only ones who shovel our sidewalks.
cookin

@cookinfreak

You are very generous.

I would expect those in my little group to contribute.

Re: I also need to vent

Still Raining — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 02:03:07 GMT

If this your personal driveway on your personal lot, why is there access for others? Might to think about liability.

If it is actually an easement you are granting, there should be documented rights and responsibilities. Like cost sharing.

Or is it actually a private road and state law will determine cost sharing.

Or is it a common area, limited or not. In which case there should be documentation, and cost sharing.

Re: I also need to vent

Cakers3 — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:00:24 GMT

I don't understand how this driveway is used by others to reach their townhomes.

I don't understand why a check is being sent if the debit card was already used by this company.

I don't understand this story at all.

Re: I also need to vent

jadeyes — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 06:20:48 GMT

I had a similar problem and I cancelled and replaced the credit/debit card. I proved to the bank that i had tried to contact the vendor , they investigated and the money refunded. Some people know how difficult this is ,and are scammers. I am sorry you ran into one

Re: I also need to vent

qualitygal — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:55:58 GMT

I'd only be paying what I felt was enough to get her to call me, if I were you. Then you'll hear from her!

Re: I also need to vent

Spurt — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 13:12:57 GMT

I'm just glad I live in South Central Texas and don't have to worry about snow plowing...Good luck

Re: I also need to vent

Sage04 — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:27:29 GMT

Maybe they are charging according to the amount of snow that has to be removed. In that case it won't always be $95.

@cookinfreak

I'm with some of the Posters in wondering why are you sending them a Check when your Card has already been charged. Are you talking about payment for future snow removal?