Service Providers intimidating residents

[ahelpinghandforall]

Is a service provider (cleaning service,lawn service) calling you after you cancel their services. Are you being threatened with legal action if you don't change your mind and retain their services. Ask yourself this question. Did I sign a contract for this service? If not then you have the right to discontinue the services. Stand your ground and don't be intimidated by these strong arm tactics. Due to our age group, this is considered elder abuse.

Don't forget they work for you the employer. :posting:

[Challenger]

Is a service provider (cleaning service,lawn service) calling you after you cancel their services. Are you being threatened with legal action if you don't change your mind and retain their services. Ask yourself this question. Did I sign a contract for this service? If not then you have the right to discontinue the services. Stand your ground and don't be intimidated by these strong arm tactics. Due to our age group, this is considered elder abuse.

Don't forget they work for you the employer. :posting:

What is this about ?

[OurHappyHome]

This is a right to work state. You can fire anyone for any reason. I see this is your first post. I can read that you are upset. Can you tell us what happened so you can get some useful comments.

[asianthree]

So what type of service

[ahelpinghandforall]

I have been asked what is this about. The answer quite simply is that the owner of a cleaning service operating within the villages called one of my friends and threatened a lawsuit if she discontinued her services and hired a new cleaning service. This upsets me that a "respected"business owner would take these measures to compel clients to retain services.

[ahelpinghandforall]

I have been asked what is this about. The answer quite simply is that the owner of a cleaning service operating within the villages called one of my friends and threatened a lawsuit if she discontinued her services and hired a new cleaning service. This upsets me that a "respected"business owner would take these measures to compel clients to retain services.

[redwitch]

I've lived in TV for 8 years and have never heard of this happening. Unless a contract was signed and both parties have lived up to their end of the contract (one paid, one cleaned as specified), there is no basis for a lawsuit and the cleaning company can threaten all it wants. What could be a basis for a lawsuit is if the homeowner makes false statements about the cleaning company. Sometimes even true statements can cause a lawsuit to be filed (and won), so it is worth being careful what is said to whom.

[jblum315]

I'm fine with cleaning service but Direct TV, I'm still getting letters and phone calls 2 years after I canceled. Nothing threatening, just annoying.

[ohiogolf]

This is a right to work state. You can fire anyone for any reason. I see this is your first post. I can read that you are upset. Can you tell us what happened so you can get some useful comments.

That is not what "right to work laws" mean. In a right to work state there is no obligation to join or pay union dues if you are in a position that is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. That's all the law requires. It has nothing to do with termination rights.

[rubicon]

This is a right to work state. You can fire anyone for any reason. I see this is your first post. I can read that you are upset. Can you tell us what happened so you can get some useful comments.

Hi OurHappyHome: Actually the situation the OP describes has nothing to do with an employer/employee relationship.

The OP is describing a contract agreement and an alleged breach thereof.
While I understand their may be a need to sign a contract for painting a house or building an addition, I am quite surprised that anyone would sign a written agreement with any one doing routine maintenance. Unless of course the service provider is referring to a verbal agreement which in this case appears not to hold water.

As to employer/employee relationships most states rule that an employer can terminate anyone for no reason. However many states would rule that if you did advance a reason it subjected it to being challenged as wrongful termination

[graciegirl]

Here is my GUESS.

Many reputable lawn services require signed service agreements for one year.

This is simply (to me) because the low rate given is because that during the growing season the grass requires cutting frequently and during the dormant season, not so much.

So many dishonest people opt out and shift from one lawn care company to another so that they don't pay for service during the grass dormant season.

Not nice. Not honest. Not ethical.

I imagine that the contract about things like this is legal.

I wonder just what this is all about, It isn't yet clear to me.

The OP mentioned a cleaning service. Does the OP mean an interior home cleaning service? Or what exactly?

Did they threaten a law suit over a valid contract or is this a case for Seniors Vs. Crime?

[Kahuna32162]

First, we haven't even moved into our new home yet, and I'm getting calls from a pest control service advising me to re start a service that the previous owners had cancelled over 2 years ago. Everybody is always trying to sell you something.

[Challenger]

In business and other ventures "Nothing happens until someone makes a sale"

If you are not interested "just say no"

Ther is no reason to prolong the conversation and I often don't respond to an approach other than NO and hang up.

[784caroline]

I have been asked what is this about. The answer quite simply is that the owner of a cleaning service operating within the villages called one of my friends and threatened a lawsuit if she discontinued her services and hired a new cleaning service. This upsets me that a "respected"business owner would take these measures to compel clients to retain services.

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OP cannot answer our questions for this is a "he said, she said" situation....nothing first hand!

[Indydealmaker]

First, we haven't even moved into our new home yet, and I'm getting calls from a pest control service advising me to re start a service that the previous owners had cancelled over 2 years ago. Everybody is always trying to sell you something.

Just tell them that they will have to set up an appointment to see your "property manager" in New York City. That should do it.

[Bogie Shooter]

************************************************** **********

OP cannot answer our questions for this is a "he said, she said" situation....nothing first hand!

I agree. Second hand information being reported here as fact, maybe so maybe not. There has to be more to the story........................before advice can be given.

[Villageshooter]

I'm fine with cleaning service but Direct TV, I'm still getting letters and phone calls 2 years after I canceled. Nothing threatening, just annoying.

Tell them You're now living in a nursing home

[rayschic]

I've lived in TV for 8 years and have never heard of this happening. Unless a contract was signed and both parties have lived up to their end of the contract (one paid, one cleaned as specified), there is no basis for a lawsuit and the cleaning company can threaten all it wants. What could be a basis for a lawsuit is if the homeowner makes false statements about the cleaning company. Sometimes even true statements can cause a lawsuit to be filed (and won), so it is worth being careful what is said to whom.

I have hired several cleaning companies to clean a rental home in The Villages.
When you call them, they usually ask if you need a regularly scheduled cleaning or a one-time cleaning. If you choose to have your house cleaned every month, then the amount they charge is less per cleaning than if it's a one-time cleaning.
So, if you say you want them to clean every month for a year and after three months you want to cancel, they could claim that you owe the difference. Just explaining what I think MAY have been the issue.
Hopefully the OP will give more info.

[Villageshooter]

Here is my GUESS.

Many reputable lawn services require signed service agreements for one year.

This is simply (to me) because the low rate given is because that during the growing season the grass requires cutting frequently and during the dormant season, not so much.

So many dishonest people opt out and shift from one lawn care company to another so that they don't pay for service during the grass dormant season.

Not nice. Not honest. Not ethical.

I imagine that the contract about things like this is legal.

I wonder just what this is all about, It isn't yet clear to me.

The OP mentioned a cleaning service. Does the OP mean an interior home cleaning service? Or what exactly?

Did they threaten a law suit over a valid contract or is this a case for Seniors Vs. Crime?
You're on target ....that's what's happening people want the lowest lowest price and then they quit and it comes time to equal out. I have a wonderful yard service I tell them I will pay them by the month and that is it. I let them know upfront I will not need your services during the dormant times I'm sure I could get the price much cheaper if i signed a 12 month contract. However the possibility of moving to someone else at any time always makes them do a much better job I don't mind paying for this service I receive but I just want the good service. If you sign a contract you should honor however ,,, just have a handshake agreement and it works wonderfully

[justjim]

OP, would like to comment but don't have enough information to make an informed comment. Previously, we have had a "cleaning service" for our home but never had a written contract---service was from week to week. If you were not satisfied with the service, you just got somebody else.

The major question is simply: Did your friends have a signed contract for the service and, if so, what were the terms and cancellation clause in the contract?