Renegade Tree Trimmers
A pesky little immigrant, the emerald ash borer, has made the ubiquitous ash tree a bit of a liability here in Ohio. Natural predators have had little effect on the dazzling green insect which has spread and killed native trees at an alarming rate. Many communities in Ohio and throughout North America have taken the offense by removing trees before they become infected and damage surrounding properties with falling limbs. The seriousness of the infestation has led to area quarantines with heavy fines for removal of non-coniferous trees.
When last year’s windstorm (fallout from Hurricane Ike) split off part of a 40-foot ash tree behind my home, I mentally removed it from my bedroom window view and slowly began gathering estimates for its removal. A tree company working in my neighborhood stopped to give me an estimate this past Tuesday before I left for a lunch date. I thought the cost to be rather high (he blamed the quarantine) but said I’d keep their contact information.
When I returned a couple of hours later, I was alarmed to hear the buzz of a chain saw from around my back yard. The tree had already been stripped to resemble a telephone pole with giant limbs scattered across the ground beneath. When I asked why they had proceeded without my agreement, the “operations manager” informed me that one of my children had approved the work. He was willing to “negotiate” on a price to finish the job.
I couldn’t really report a company I’d never hired in the first place to the Better Business Bureau. The “operations manager” refused to give me the name and number of his boss. They left rather quickly when I refused to hire them.
Renegade tree trimmers. Who’d have guessed? But, they did provide me with an interesting answer to “how was your day?”
I wonder if they ever get away with that method of getting work. Desperate times create imaginative systems for paying the bills. But there is a line.
How outrageous! Well done for having the courage to send them packing. I guess there’s a lot of people who wouldn’t. I can imagine some elderly folks feeling really intimidated:(
Wow! That’s a new one. The first time I went to NYC guys would wash my windshield and expect cash. That freaked me out, but I also thought it was genius! But this goes way too far.
Did you know I’m originally from Ohio? Did I tell you that already?
Also:
Just wanted to let you know that we’ve moved to: http://www.theguysperspective.com/theguysblog
For Blogrolls and such.
We’re still in the process of tweaking the look and design of our site, but we’re happy to be operating under our own domain!
Take care and have a great day!
You should have let them finish then sent them packing.
Wow, that’s a gutsy scam. I can’t imagine people agreeing to that kind of work method.
Suzanne: It was kind of surreal. The guy kept saying, “Well, we can’t put it up again…” (I’d already figured that out!)
Jane: It seemed like I should be able to choose the “when” and the “who” on the tree removal! I got a friend on the phone for extra encouragement, though.
Bring Back Pluto: I’d like to believe the situation I’ve described was an aberration. Odd, huh? No, I didn’t know you were from Ohio! Where??
I’ve updated your link and visited your new spot on the web. I hope to catch up on the last couple of posts tomorrow.
Donald: No kidding! At that point I was just anxious to get them out of my yard.
Fly Girl: A friend recommended a great guy who did a lot more work for a lot less money. The second guy is now getting even more work from my neighbors.
Next time insist on speaking with their branch manager.
Excellent use of wit, Bob!