Good Neighbor Service AGAIN!!!

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

As a new villager last May, we mistakenly contracted with Good Neighbor Service for lawn services. We signed a 1-year contract and paid for the services up front for that contract. I know.......my bad!!! We have been fighting since then to get the services we've paid for. My fight has necessitated numerous phone calls to Good Neighbor Service and usually only then will we get service. To date, they have missed 13 weeks of mowing/trimming and despite leaving work orders on our door 3 times since May for fertilization/pest services, we have never actually seen this service done until today (when my complaint call netted us mowing/trimming AND fertilization/pest control). Our yard is a weedy mess and pests abound!! I have filed claims with Seniors Vs Crimes and the BBB recently. No response from Senior Vs Crimes as yet, but I have had 2 emails from the BBB telling me that according to the Division of Corporations, Good Neighbor Service is out of business and the address/phone # provided by me from the signed contract are invalid. Further research shows that Good Neighbor Service is now Central Termite and Pest, LLC. Since my contract is with Good Neighbor Service, the BBB can do nothing to assist me with this issue. They have suggested I contact the Attorney General about this matter. The thing is, I called the # on Roy Blackburn's business card yesterday and "Bonnie" answered as "Good Neighbor Service." So they ARE still operating as Good Neighbor Service despite technically being out of business. They're still leaving fliers on the doors of unsuspecting new villages like us and putting signs in yards. I have taken this one step further and contacted the investigative reporter for WFTV in Orlando, in the hopes that he might be willing to take the lead on this and at least get the word out more about this sham company and its owners. When I pay for a service, I expect to receive it. Novel concept, huh?? When I don't get said services, I expect to be refunded for missed services. That's all I'm asking for.......that and to try to stop these criminals from further preying on seniors and the unsuspecting public. I know they've been doing this for some years here in central Florida and apparently government agencies aren't too concerned about these practices. It's just so terribly frustrating and maddening.

[EdFNJ]

Sorry for your loss of service AND $$$$$. As you will likely hear 20x in your thread NEVER PAY UP FRONT FOR ANYTHING around here. That being said, never heard of paying a full year in advance for lawn services. As you can see many of these companies come and go faster than t-storms here in the summer.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know!! Lesson well learned. No excuses on my part, but that said, NO excuses for this kind of thing to go on, and yes, I know it does. Just want people to know how these scam artists get away with this stuff and no one does anything to stop them. The government agencies turn a blind eye and leave the unsuspecting public to deal with it.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’m sorry what has happened to you, but what are you doing about your weed and pest filled lawn ???

[Kahuna32162]

Unfortunately this company has been around for many years and change their name often, Good Neighbor has been Service Smart in the past and the list of complaints from customers, just like you, who signed a 1 year contract and paid in advance could fill an entire volume. They prey on new unsuspecting homeowners who buy and then go back up north believing that their new home in The Villages will be maintained in their absence.

[VApeople]

When we moved in over four years ago, we were given terrible sod.

We hired Falcon for our lawn and pest control and paid them a year in advance. We have been very pleased with their service and we still use them.

Before we moved in, we were warned about Service Smart. When their sales person came by a few days after we moved in, I told them we had been warned about them, so they left.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

As soon as we get this issue resolved, my husband is going to do our lawn himself from mowing/trimming to fertilizing and pest control. We had spent 2 mos up north after we bought our house trying to get estimates and lawn service set up before we returned to TV in May, but had no luck. Mostly I didn't get call backs or answers to my emails to these companies. I wanted a company that offered both services. When we returned in May, the yard was in deplorable shape, very long, etc. There was a Good Neighbor Service flier on the door (of course...) and with the headaches of getting moved in and settled, we just called them. The rep came to our house right away and had his crew out taking care of our lawn that afternoon. All seemed good.......until 2 weeks later and they hadn't returned. And so it goes. We'll take care of our lawn ourselves from now on!!

[EdFNJ]

As soon as we get this issue resolved, my husband is going to do our lawn himself from mowing/trimming to fertilizing and pest control. That's what I did. First 2 months here we went through 2 lawn guys (JUST for mowing). Month 3 I said f-it I'll do it myself. Bought a $700 used mower from a guy for $150 and for 2 years mowed my own and really enjoyed doing it as we have a small home/property here. After the 2nd summer of 95 degree days with 99% humidity I sold the mower for $175 (had to make a profit!) for same reason the guy I bought it from sold it :D Finally found a good, make that RELIABLE, mowing company who comes the same day EVERY week and not just when he feels like it. I saved my trimmer & blower and do the "fine tuning" after he leaves. :D I still do the fertilizing etc myself.

[VApeople]

As soon as we get this issue resolved, my husband is going to do our lawn himself from mowing/trimming to fertilizing and pest control.

We have a larger than average yard and I truly enjoy mowing it myself, even on the hot summer days.

However, as I mentioned earlier, we use Falcon Lawn and Pest control for the yard care. There are some nasty little critters, like Army Worms or Mole Crickets, in our neighborhoods, and our yard is doing much better than our neighbors. Falcon must be doing something right.

[Topspinmo]

I’m sorry what has happened to you, but what are you doing about your weed and pest filled lawn ???


Did you read the part where he was paying for that service?

[retiredguy123]

We have a larger than average yard and I truly enjoy mowing it myself, even on the hot summer days.

However, as I mentioned earlier, we use Falcon Lawn and Pest control for the yard care. There are some nasty little critters, like Army Worms or Mole Crickets, in our neighborhoods, and our yard is doing much better than our neighbors. Falcon must be doing something right.
Army worms and mole crickets, is that all?

Wait until your yard gets invaded by hippopotamuses.

[vintageogauge]

It's amazing that this guys is not in jail or prison. He not only is ripping off customers, he does the same to suppliers. It would be great to get one of the Orlando stations to run with it.

[RoadToad]

Florida is famous as a fraud friendly state. Example, Boca Raton is a den of scam fraud industry. The state only cares that they get there tax bite. Citizen fraud is mostly ignored. Buyer Beware !!

[Scott O]

As a new villager last May, we mistakenly contracted with Good Neighbor Service for lawn services. We signed a 1-year contract and paid for the services up front for that contract. I know.......my bad!!! We have been fighting since then to get the services we've paid for. My fight has necessitated numerous phone calls to Good Neighbor Service and usually only then will we get service. To date, they have missed 13 weeks of mowing/trimming and despite leaving work orders on our door 3 times since May for fertilization/pest services, we have never actually seen this service done until today (when my complaint call netted us mowing/trimming AND fertilization/pest control). Our yard is a weedy mess and pests abound!! I have filed claims with Seniors Vs Crimes and the BBB recently. No response from Senior Vs Crimes as yet, but I have had 2 emails from the BBB telling me that according to the Division of Corporations, Good Neighbor Service is out of business and the address/phone # provided by me from the signed contract are invalid. Further research shows that Good Neighbor Service is now Central Termite and Pest, LLC. Since my contract is with Good Neighbor Service, the BBB can do nothing to assist me with this issue. They have suggested I contact the Attorney General about this matter. The thing is, I called the # on Roy Blackburn's business card yesterday and "Bonnie" answered as "Good Neighbor Service." So they ARE still operating as Good Neighbor Service despite technically being out of business. They're still leaving fliers on the doors of unsuspecting new villages like us and putting signs in yards. I have taken this one step further and contacted the investigative reporter for WFTV in Orlando, in the hopes that he might be willing to take the lead on this and at least get the word out more about this sham company and its owners. When I pay for a service, I expect to receive it. Novel concept, huh?? When I don't get said services, I expect to be refunded for missed services. That's all I'm asking for.......that and to try to stop these criminals from further preying on seniors and the unsuspecting public. I know they've been doing this for some years here in central Florida and apparently government agencies aren't too concerned about these practices. It's just so terribly frustrating and maddening.
This bum, I believe his name is Kenny, was spending his days just circling the new neighborhoods down here south of the turnpike. We moved in February and I saw him no less than 7-8 times a day, he hit me up a day or two after moving in, with his big con artist sales line. I told him I wasn’t interested in a yard service, we were doing our own..Thankfully I asking for an estimate about some additional landscaping work, I could tell it was not in the realm of their “big jobs” so he quickly made excuses and left, and seemed to continue to avoid us after that point. He stopped at each unsuspecting neighbor as they moved in and I made sure that I went and warned them I didn’t trust this guy. Then a few weeks later I started seeing multiple articles about his repeated scamming and changing the name of the company every time he got caught. It just amazes me the audacity of these crooks to keep coming back time and time again...Haven’t seen the scamming fool, or any of his crews in quite some time now that this is mentioned again...hopefully he will find his rightful place at a jail cell in Sumter county if he isn’t already there...sorry you were another victim on his apparently long list..

[Two Bills]

Our rental landlord uses Falcon, for pest control and fertilising, and they seem quite reliable, and area seems free of patches or signs of wear.
She has a real tough looking bunch of locals doing the grass cutting, but they are a real nice bunch of lads, and whenever we meet them, they are convinced we are Austalians, not Brits. as they swear my London accent is the same as Crocodile Dundee's.
I taught them to say "G'day mate" as an Aussie would!
That is how they greet us now. Will miss seeing them this year because of virus.
Unfortuantely I do not know their trading name.

[ckbenjamin]

I was one of their victims as well. Sure wish I had documentation but it was years ago. Most people don't realize that BBB it's just an arbitration service but with no legally binding authority. What is needed is a criminal investigation. This guy is clearly guilty of fraud.

[Willis56]

Yes,he was our first visitor in Bradford. He’s been back twice now. Fortunately we were forewarned.

[Mtngirl]

Yes, a criminal investigation is certainly needed on Kenneth Smith, Roy Graham Blackburn and Aaron Paul Gaines who all seem to be involved in the constant scamming. Seems Roy is the main one going around trying to get the customers and selling you a pack of lies. There seems to be a good paper trail showing the company constantly changing names. Seems they go about 1-2 years, getting their money and once the complaints start, a new name appears. There are numerous past threads on this whole situation and it's apparent they will continue unless people who have been scammed get together and demand an investigation. I would be showing up at their homes with a news reporter wanting to know when they plan on returning everyone's money. I would bet none of them live in the neighborhoods they are scamming.

[Dlbonivich]

I use just a local guy for mowing ,edging and blowing. I have a guy I call when bushes need trimmed and Massey for fertilizer and bug control. I pay per month. In the winter I see the lawn man less because things stop growing. I have been in Florida for 23 years. This is how it works best. Good luck

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

As an update, while I haven't yet heard back from the investigative reporter for WFTV in Orlando or the Senior Vs Crimes program, I have gone ahead and filed a claim with the attorney general. We'll see what comes of all of this. I guess I've done as much as I can for now, but will continue to spread the word about these guys far and wide. Good Neighbor Service, despite being "out of business," is alive and well and operating under that name south of 44!!! "Bonnie," who answers the phone for these criminals, apparently is the grandmother of one of the guys on the crew, so it's a family thing and they're all in it together!! Buyer, definitely beware!!!

[neilbcox]

They have to have a pest control license ! Go after his license! He will respond in a good way if the state licensing board starts looking into his company!

I did this with All Seasons Pool Company. Within 14 days of me submitting my complaint the President of that company called me saying they would immediately address my issues!

Everyone in the Villages should only deal with companies that hold a Florida license! It is a great leverage tool!

[vintageogauge]

They have to have a pest control license ! Go after his license! He will respond in a good way if the state licensing board starts looking into his company!

I did this with All Seasons Pool Company. Within 14 days of me submitting my complaint the President of that company called me saying they would immediately address my issues!

Everyone in the Villages should only deal with companies that hold a Florida license! It is a great leverage tool!

The law states that you need a license that doesn't mean he has one.

[bowlingal]

I just hired Falcon to do my lawn. So far, I am quite pleased with their professionalism, customer service and knowledge. looking forward to spring to see really impressive results

[wmcgowan]

if you are unhappy with them - use that to leverage another service

[arbajeda]

Have you contacted the sheriff? Sounds like fraud to me.

[FromNY]

Always wondered why the "Developer " didn't incorporate basic lawn care. Many communities have that . Get rid of all these independent landscapers. They could work for The Villages and probably have better lives..

[KRM0614]

Unfortunately this company has been around for many years and change their name often, Good Neighbor has been Service Smart in the past and the list of complaints from customers, just like you, who signed a 1 year contract and paid in advance could fill an entire volume. They prey on new unsuspecting homeowners who buy and then go back up north believing that their new home in The Villages will be maintained in their absence.
Love Bob seger

Plymouth MI

[KRM0614]

We have a larger than average yard and I truly enjoy mowing it myself, even on the hot summer days.

However, as I mentioned earlier, we use Falcon Lawn and Pest control for the yard care. There are some nasty little critters, like Army Worms or Mole Crickets, in our neighborhoods, and our yard is doing much better than our neighbors. Falcon must be doing something right.
Falcon has a lot of litigation from consumers
Check next door archives

[bilcon]

I have been here for 12 years and had several lawn services and never signed a contract with any of them. If you are moving here, don't sign any contract for lawn service and speak to your neighbors or others Villages first before you commit to any services.

[Sunshine7]

Has anyone heard of Mitch with Superior Services of Central Florida, Inc.?

[Curtisbwp]

I have NEVER had a contract for lawn care. I have a great lawn service. I do make it a habit of paying him 3 months in advance.

[zuidemab]

And who is this new reliable service and contact info please?

[Pairadocs]

As soon as we get this issue resolved, my husband is going to do our lawn himself from mowing/trimming to fertilizing and pest control. We had spent 2 mos up north after we bought our house trying to get estimates and lawn service set up before we returned to TV in May, but had no luck. Mostly I didn't get call backs or answers to my emails to these companies. I wanted a company that offered both services. When we returned in May, the yard was in deplorable shape, very long, etc. There was a Good Neighbor Service flier on the door (of course...) and with the headaches of getting moved in and settled, we just called them. The rep came to our house right away and had his crew out taking care of our lawn that afternoon. All seemed good.......until 2 weeks later and they hadn't returned. And so it goes. We'll take care of our lawn ourselves from now on!!

GOOD CHOICE ! I want to tell you a little funny my Dr. told me when I retired. Said, Keep doing what you've been doing when you retire. Oh, ? Yes, "you don't want to retire and then have all those unwanted guys coming around". Oh ? "yes, Arthur, Hy, and all the rest of them". What ? I'm thinking ? Then the smile from my doctor... yes, keep doing your own lawn work, gardening, mowing, and keep high blood pressure, arthritis, and all those other "unwanted guys" as my doctor said, away ! I broke into a smile when I "got it", bought a good mower, trimmer, and have never had a complaint about the "my yard people" not showing...LOL ! Then I discovered the WONDERFUL pest and weed application products that attach to a hose and in 10 to 20 minutes of NO effort or work, do a great job ! The tip I would offer is a self-propelled mower and change brands of the hose applications for weeds or insects every couple years (that tip came from the U/F gardening extension and it turned out to be very good advice, change up the brands occasionally). Another bonus, also tip from U/F extension, with MY lawn service, I NEVER have to suffer from having my grass cut while WET, or even in the RAIN (yes, they actually do that here). That practice simply encourages and spreads a variety of lawn diseases that run rapidly through neighborhoods and whole villages ! I found the FREE extension service a HUGE benefit of living here, even an amateur can do it and get some health benefits from the experience. Some are not able to of course, but, definitely the way to go if you possibly can ! Lot's of stories like yours, a LOT of them !

[Pairadocs]

Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know!! Lesson well learned. No excuses on my part, but that said, NO excuses for this kind of thing to go on, and yes, I know it does. Just want people to know how these scam artists get away with this stuff and no one does anything to stop them. The government agencies turn a blind eye and leave the unsuspecting public to deal with it.

Of the four we've lived in, Florida is by FAR the most lax on protecting their constituency ! BBB isn't much use anywhere, but the situation here is really something in all areas and categories ! Maybe we are not electing the right people to represent us ? That must be the answer ?

[VApeople]

Maybe we are not electing the right people to represent us ? That must be the answer ?

Or maybe we have too many people who expect the government to make the world perfect for us. That must be the answer.

[Catalina36]

I use Massey Service for all of my lawn care. Very reliable, pay as the service is completed. I may be paying a couple of dollars more a month but that’s ok I know the service is getting done.

[Pairadocs]

Or maybe we have too many people who expect the government to make the world perfect for us. That must be the answer.

Also a viable point ! Not a big fan of government can solve all, but does seem our state is wide open season for fraud and scams. I do agree WE have an obligation to ourselves to go to the trouble to check out the actual license number of each and every person who trims trees in our yards, or works on our AC, etc. But I have found in my neighborhood many don't even KNOW how to check to see if the number clearly painted in large letters on a truck is ACTUALLY a valid insurance number...... I've shared with neighbors my own experience in checking this on the state website and finding out the very number painted ON a truck is, according to the state, "NO VALID"...... eye opener ! How many realize that flaunting of a state contractor number or insurance number is NOT PROOF the number is even legitimate ? Personally I found that when I tell a service person I am interested, but want to take a few days to check out their card, the license numbers, etc. they are not at all open to that, not really pleased or say " I am SO GLAD that you are going to check me out, my company and I WELCOME it"..... no, usually they just loose interest. Could that be a "sign" to us all ? I personally do not like it when a state spends taxpayer monies to establish an elaborate department of "consumer protection" and then does little to protect consumers; exactly why I am not a fan of growing government offices and departments ! Just personal opinion that bigger does not mean more efficient or effective !

[PugMom]

As an update, while I haven't yet heard back from the investigative reporter for WFTV in Orlando or the Senior Vs Crimes program, I have gone ahead and filed a claim with the attorney general. We'll see what comes of all of this. I guess I've done as much as I can for now, but will continue to spread the word about these guys far and wide. Good Neighbor Service, despite being "out of business," is alive and well and operating under that name south of 44!!! "Bonnie," who answers the phone for these criminals, apparently is the grandmother of one of the guys on the crew, so it's a family thing and they're all in it together!! Buyer, definitely beware!!!

i really wish you luck in dealing with this. pls keep us posted

[retiredguy123]

Also a viable point ! Not a big fan of government can solve all, but does seem our state is wide open season for fraud and scams. I do agree WE have an obligation to ourselves to go to the trouble to check out the actual license number of each and every person who trims trees in our yards, or works on our AC, etc. But I have found in my neighborhood many don't even KNOW how to check to see if the number clearly painted in large letters on a truck is ACTUALLY a valid insurance number...... I've shared with neighbors my own experience in checking this on the state website and finding out the very number painted ON a truck is, according to the state, "NO VALID"...... eye opener ! How many realize that flaunting of a state contractor number or insurance number is NOT PROOF the number is even legitimate ? Personally I found that when I tell a service person I am interested, but want to take a few days to check out their card, the license numbers, etc. they are not at all open to that, not really pleased or say " I am SO GLAD that you are going to check me out, my company and I WELCOME it"..... no, usually they just loose interest. Could that be a "sign" to us all ? I personally do not like it when a state spends taxpayer monies to establish an elaborate department of "consumer protection" and then does little to protect consumers; exactly why I am not a fan of growing government offices and departments ! Just personal opinion that bigger does not mean more efficient or effective !
Some people think that, if a contractor has insurance, it will protect the customer. That is not true. The insurance will protect the contractor, not the customer. If a contractor screws up or skips out on a job, the customer can't file a claim against the contractor's insurance company. I don't know if this landscaper has insurance or not, but he is notorious for just disappearing after he is paid. I don't think any insurance he has would help those customers.