Service Smart - beware

[Paul B]

Beware of Service Smart! We had Stellar and the service was getting weak and then we called to let them know and we got Service Smart answering the phone. Apparently Stellar is now owned by Service Smart. We were unaware of this buy-out. We had previously read about Service Smart's reputation on TOTV and asked for an immediate refund of our remaining balance (we paid by check for a year to Stellar). Service Smart told us it may take up to a month for a refund! I called SS today (3 weeks later) and they said no one from that department (billing) was in and they did not know when they would be in! Their times are flexible! I wish I worked for a company like that with unknown flex hours! I am not done with this. Does anyone know how I contact Crimes Against Seniors? Thanks for your help.

[FlamingoFlo]

I have had service smart for over 2 years without a problem. We use all of the services they provide. Any time I have had to call them, I always get someone. It is usually after 9 when I call.

[bluedog103]

Beware of Service Smart! We had Stellar and the service was getting weak and then we called to let them know and we got Service Smart answering the phone. Apparently Stellar is now owned by Service Smart. We were unaware of this buy-out. We had previously read about Service Smart's reputation on TOTV and asked for an immediate refund of our remaining balance (we paid by check for a year to Stellar). Service Smart told us it may take up to a month for a refund! I called SS today (3 weeks later) and they said no one from that department (billing) was in and they did not know when they would be in! Their times are flexible! I wish I worked for a company like that with unknown flex hours! I am not done with this. Does anyone know how I contact Crimes Against Seniors? Thanks for your help.
The number for the Sumter County Seniors vs Crime: (352) 689-4600 Ext. 4606. If you go to their website, seniorsvscrime.com you can get a list of all the offices and phone numbers. Good luck.

[Doro22]

For Seniors Vs Crime see pg. C6 of today's Sun. There is a location at the Sumter County Service Center on CR 466. Ph: 699-4600 ex 4606.

There is also a location in Brownwood at the Wildwood Police Annex next to the movie theater. Ph: 750-1914. Call for their days & hours.

Good luck!

[keithwand]

We have Stellar/ Service Smart and so far no complaints.
They cut the lawn the other day and 2 days later A guy came out to pull weeds because the cutters put in a request order for weeds.
I pull and spray because I enjoy it and there was really no weeds to speak of ...maybe a handful.
We are paid through July 2015. Both Stellar and Now Service Smart have lived up to their contract.

[MikeV]

We also went from Stellar to Service Smart with no problems so far.

[Diane G]

There's been no one on our property in six or seven weeks. Things are going from bad to really bad.

[The20Percent]

Paul B. Before you go to this extreme, I ask that you call Service Smart one more time and ask for Matt to come out to your house. He works for this company now in customer relations and before this position he was one of the head honchos for Stellar. He is a confident and orderly military man who has also served our country proud in recent conflicts. He realizes that Service Smart was not run properly in the past and he is there now to turn things around and make sure customers are taken care of, as they should have been in the past. I was one of Service Smarts most critical customers on this forum and had many problems with them this entire past year. I am willing to give this company a second chance just because of Matt. After Matt's visit to my house one morning, and his assurance that things will improve, the mowing guy showed up, then the weeding guy, then the lawn fertilization guy...ALL IN THIS SAME DAY! I really believe this company will get their act together as long as they have Matt providing direction. I think you will be impressed with him (as my wife and I were) and most importantly his concern for Service Smart's customers.

[jblum315]

All I can say is good luck even getting him to call you back!

[jojo]

I have used Service Smart for 6 1/2 years with no problem. I've always had next day service if I call with a pest problem. It appears though that others have had problems - I'm just sharing my experience.

[lake5798]

They talk a good story but can't put their money where the mouth is, the whole merger thing smells. if it walks and talks like a duck....

[Barefoot]

We have Stellar/ Service Smart and so far no complaints.
They cut the lawn the other day and 2 days later A guy came out to pull weeds because the cutters put in a request order for weeds.
I pull and spray because I enjoy it and there was really no weeds to speak of ...maybe a handful.
We are paid through July 2015. Both Stellar and Now Service Smart have lived up to their contract.

We also went from Stellar to Service Smart with no problems so far.

We also have Stellar/Service Smart and so far, the service is fine.

[drcar]

I find the comments about the services provided by the two companies interesting. They range from great to poor. I also had Stellar and now have Service Smart. I was NEVER told about the switch. The statement about Stellars service slipping was right on. I also called and was greeted by Service Smart. I must say that they DID come and mow my lawn but in the middle of a down pour. I feel lucky because I only was paying every 3 months and my account is running out this month. I do find it interesting that I have not heard from Service Smart about a new agreement. They will probaly just show up and expect payment, NOT! I am in the process of looking for a new lawn service and have gotten some great references from people here. When it come to Sellar/Servece Smart BUYER BEWARE!

[tommy steam]

I find the comments about the services provided by the two companies interesting. They range from great to poor. I also had Stellar and now have Service Smart. I was NEVER told about the switch. The statement about Stellars service slipping was right on. I also called and was greeted by Service Smart. I must say that they DID come and mow my lawn but in the middle of a down pour. I feel lucky because I only was paying every 3 months and my account is running out this month. I do find it interesting that I have not heard from Service Smart about a new agreement. They will probaly just show up and expect payment, NOT! I am in the process of looking for a new lawn service and have gotten some great references from people here. When it come to Sellar/Servece Smart BUYER BEWARE!
When you pay in advance you lose control over the company you hired to do the job. Time and time again you will read here that someone has been beat out of money or the service they paid for in advance, is not what was sold to them. If these company's were paid when the job was done or monthly, I'm sure they would bend over backwards to keep you happy.

[drcar]

When you pay in advance you lose control over the company you hired to do the job. Time and time again you will read here that someone has been beat out of money or the service they paid in advance, is not what was sold to them. If these company's were paid when the job was done or monthly, I'm sure they would bend over backwards to keep you happy.

I could not agree more!!

[Sandtrap328]

When you pay in advance you lose control over the company you hired to do the job. Time and time again you will read here that someone has been beat out of money or the service they paid in advance, is not what was sold to them. If these company's were paid when the job was done or monthly, I'm sure they would bend over backwards to keep you happy.

One of the first things that Seniors vs Crime will tell you is NEVER pay in advance!

[LittleDog]

One of the first things that Seniors vs Crime will tell you is NEVER pay in advance!

That's fine but many of these services quote an annual price. How do you get them to agree on a monthly price?

John

[Barefoot]

I have had service smart for over 2 years without a problem. We use all of the services they provide. Any time I have had to call them, I always get someone. It is usually after 9 when I call.

This week, Service Smart sent someone to mow the lawn.
Another day, they sent someone to pull weeds.
They also examined a light-colored patch and sprayed it.
So far, their service has been excellent!

[Rango]

Beware of Service Smart! We had Stellar and the service was getting weak and then we called to let them know and we got Service Smart answering the phone. Apparently Stellar is now owned by Service Smart. We were unaware of this buy-out. We had previously read about Service Smart's reputation on TOTV and asked for an immediate refund of our remaining balance (we paid by check for a year to Stellar). Service Smart told us it may take up to a month for a refund! I called SS today (3 weeks later) and they said no one from that department (billing) was in and they did not know when they would be in! Their times are flexible! I wish I worked for a company like that with unknown flex hours! I am not done with this. Does anyone know how I contact Crimes Against Seniors? Thanks for your help.

Not a "Buy out". It's a merger.

[Sable99]

Mom and I have had Stellar since we closed on our home in May, 2012. I went witih Stellar since I knew I was going to rent out our home it would be easier to have all the services done by one company.

My property manager has told me many times they were great for the first two years and a little rocky when the merger was going on. She told me that, now that the merger is completeld, they are once again doing a great job.

The advantages to pay in advance is the 10% discount. They do have other payment plans.

Two things I have learned from my property manager--

Stellar mows every two weeks. Sometimes, during the growing season, your lawn need to be mowed more often. She said they come to mow if you call them but you go right back to the two week rotation at that point. They do offer weekly mowings during the growing season for an additional cost.

She manages a lot of homes and says it is a nightmare to get different people to weed, to mow, to trim, to fertilize, to do pest and termite, etc. on a regular rotation. She tells me you can get them once but it is a struggle to get them to come back. She also told me they priced all the separate services and they came up to Stellarl's price.

Last week I got a call from Massey who has recently become an "all inclusivei" company like Stellar. Their price was a little higher than Stellar but they do weekly mowings. My contract is up with Stellar in May and who knows, I may change companies.

A couple posts said they didn't know of the merger. I got a letter from Stellar (4-6 weeks ago) informing me of the merger.

[Barry1]

Beware of Service Smart times Ten.

[Xavier]

Not a "Buy out". It's a merger.

Merger, Smerger! I'd bet dollars to donuts that, even in the beginning, it was money that was made available to the son-in-law to open yet another business under yet another name that wouldn't be associated immediately with the principle owner's reputation. The other companies, "Once A Year's" and "Service Smart's" client-base had nose-dived off the charts, like tumbling over a cliff, for obvious reasons. It's all a devious business plan. Sucker in unsuspecting customers into the family web of deception, false promises and crappy services. ... and the cycle continues.

Save your hard earned money. If you've pre-paid, finish out the time and find a reputable firm to contract with. If you haven't dealt with Service Smart yet - BE WARNED and BEWARE. CLICK HERE FOR BBB REPORT (http://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/lawn-and-tree-care/service-smart-in-ocala-fl-90143964)

Xavier

[Barefoot]

Mom and I have had Stellar since we closed on our home in May, 2012. I went witih Stellar since I knew I was going to rent out our home it would be easier to have all the services done by one company. My property manager has told me many times they were great for the first two years and a little rocky when the merger was going on. She told me that, now that the merger is completeld, they are once again doing a great job. The advantages to pay in advance is the 10% discount. They do have other payment plans.

Two things I have learned from my property manager--
Stellar mows every two weeks. Sometimes, during the growing season, your lawn need to be mowed more often. She said they come to mow if you call them but you go right back to the two week rotation at that point. They do offer weekly mowings during the growing season for an additional cost.

She manages a lot of homes and says it is a nightmare to get different people to weed, to mow, to trim, to fertilize, to do pest and termite, etc. on a regular rotation. She tells me you can get them once but it is a struggle to get them to come back. She also told me they priced all the separate services and they came up to Stellarl's price.

Last week I got a call from Massey who has recently become an "all inclusive" company like Stellar. Their price was a little higher than Stellar but they do weekly mowings. My contract is up with Stellar in May and who knows, I may change companies. A couple posts said they didn't know of the merger. I got a letter from Stellar (4-6 weeks ago) informing me of the merger.

Sable, I agree with your assessment.
Except that I believe that Stellar/SS mows St. Augustine weekly in the summer, and it is only Zoysia lawns that are mowed every two weeks.

There are only a few companies around that offer "one-stop shopping", and for Seasonal Residents, that can make life so much easier.
We purchased our first Villages home in 2007, and started with juggling a bunch of different services ---
mowing, trimming, weeding, fertilization, pulling weeds, aerating, pest control outside, termites inside.
It is so much easier to deal with only one company that has an office.
Not only was it a ZOO to co-ordinate the services, but most of our Contractors were impossible to reach by phone.
They didn't have an office, just a cell phone that is never answered, and calls not returned.
And there were lots of separate bills to pay, some monthly, some quarterly.
Oh, and we made the newbie mistake of paying in advance for mowing and that company disappeared into the sunset with our money.
And if there is a problem of any kind, like a lawn fungus, each company points the finger at another company and no-one will take responsibility.

Over the past eight years, we have learned that no lawn/pest company is perfect.
However as Seasonal Residents that need one-stop shopping, Stellar (now Service Smart) has provided the right answer for us.
They have an office, the phones are answered, the staff continues to be polite and courteous.

We have friends that signed a contract with Service Smart two months ago. So far, they are very happy with the services.

[laceylady]

I have a contract for only mowing, edging and blowing for the past two years. Stellar came on a bi-weekly schedule like clockwork. Service smart only comes when I call them. I don't have time or desire to babysit them. In June they are history.

[LittleDog]

I had a contract with Stellar and today a guy from Service Smart came to my house to do weeding and trimming. I didn't have to call for this service like I had to do with Stellar. Anyway in the paper I noticed the price of this service is over $700 a year which is exorbitant. Anyway I was told that the cost of this service for the coming year will be raised. If that is the case I will not renew and will be on the lookout for another service.

John