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 Girvan91裸聊视频檚 door last Tuesday and offered to power rake and aerate his yard for $80.
91裸聊视频淚 said, 91裸聊视频楧one, go for it, seriously,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Girvan told Peace Arch News Wednesday.
91裸聊视频淗e came back to see the backyard and then said it was going to be $180. I said, 91裸聊视频榃ell, you know what, I know how much work it is. Do it, go for it.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
Girvan went on with his day until the job was complete.
91裸聊视频淚 went and looked at the front yard and nothing has been done. Absolutely nothing has been done,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淐lick on the website and it doesn91裸聊视频檛 connect. I phoned the number and it says the phone number no longer exists 91裸聊视频� I couldn91裸聊视频檛 get a hold of anybody,91裸聊视频� Girvan said, adding that the manager was also unable to connect with the 91裸聊视频渉ead office.91裸聊视频�
Attempts to reach the company made by PAN Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful. The company website doesn91裸聊视频檛 appear to be working.
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The manager reportedly told Girvan that the company subcontracts the work, and that he 91裸聊视频渃an91裸聊视频檛 blame our company on the poor job this guy did.91裸聊视频�
Girvan suggested to the manager that he contact the landscaper who did the work, but the manager said the subcontractor91裸聊视频檚 phone battery was dead.
Girvan drove around the neighbourhood until he found the landscaper who did the work, he said.
91裸聊视频淗e said he doesn91裸聊视频檛 own a phone. I phoned the (manager) back again and said 91裸聊视频榳hat91裸聊视频檚 going on? This is your company, you91裸聊视频檙e kicking some (butt) and making some money.91裸聊视频� I said 91裸聊视频榶ou91裸聊视频檝e got no idea who91裸聊视频檚 working for you, what91裸聊视频檚 going on? Wheres the quality control?91裸聊视频�
Girvan said the landscaper offered to return the $180, but Girvan refused to take it as he just wanted the job to be done.
91裸聊视频淢y yard is a mess, he91裸聊视频檚 got the money, I91裸聊视频檒l never see him again.91裸聊视频�
Girvan said his motivation for contacting PAN was so that readers could learn from his mistake.
91裸聊视频淭he public needs to be warned. I grew up here, I used to cut the grass for these people. They91裸聊视频檙e old, they91裸聊视频檙e retired, they don91裸聊视频檛 have time to go out there and do the weeding and stuff. And you91裸聊视频檙e coming in here, $200, wham-bam out the door. No phone number, no card, no receipt, nothing.
91裸聊视频淚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, it91裸聊视频檚 like a shell company that doesn91裸聊视频檛 exist.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 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,91裸聊视频� Wright said.
Wright said that if someone feels they91裸聊视频檝e been a victim of a scam, then they should 91裸聊视频渁bsolutely91裸聊视频� 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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