[normka76]

My lawn mowing service person, Kessler Lawn Management hasn't mowed my lawn and six of my neighbor's lawns in several weeks. Phone calls and emails to him are unanswered. Is there anybody on this forum that uses and has seen him in the past month? I have several months of prepaid service that he still owes me but I have this uneasy feeling.

[bigalibaba]

Originally Posted by normka76

My lawn mowing service person, Kessler Lawn Management hasn't mowed my lawn and six of my neighbor's lawns in several weeks. Phone calls and emails to him are unanswered. Is there anybody on this forum that uses and has seen him in the past month? I have several months of prepaid service that he still owes me but I have this uneasy feeling.

The keyword here is "prepaid"!

[jimbo2012]

I am shocked at how trusting folks are at TV I would never prepay for anything.

To think there are business that get away with that crap.

Why do they need any service prepaid, you don't pre-pay your electric or other services.

Say "I'm Mad As Hell (And I Ain't Gonna Take No More) "

[Shimpy]

Looks like it is time to write it off and find somebody else, or do it yourself.

[mikeandnancy1112]

Report them to Seniors vs Crime on 466 and Morse Boulevard at the Sheriff's Office.

We had prepaid a company in 2004 for one year and they quit mowing after 3 months. I reported them to Seniors vs Crime and was told there were 226 cases filed. Unfortunately, no money was returned but at least the company is on file.

Since then we have never prepaid for a service in TV.

[babbs455]

ahemmmm....young MR Kessler has over 3o previous addresses in various states...
this should be a clue that he moves around quite a bit..perhaps some of the prepayment has helped him relocate???just sayin?

i do have email addresses and other telephone numbers for him and his wife if anyone wants to call...
PM me and I will gladly give them to you.
barbara

[graciegirl]

Dear friends, one and all..

Oh please take this sad situation as a way to know NOT to prepay and get it in writing.

Babbs apparently has had dealings with this guy...but harrassing him isn't going to help much.

Be sure to call Seniors Vs. Crime.

[Bryan]

MikeAndNancy1112 had one good idea - report them to Seniors Vs Crime. You can also report them online to the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida and the the Florida Division of Consumer Affairs. One new thing you should consider is contacting the Property Owners Association (POA) of The Villages. They are starting to "crack down" on unsavory contractors and related items. They would probably like to hear your story about Kessler Lawn. You can email them at POA4US@hotmail.com or write them at The POA, P.O. Box 1657, Lady Lake, FL 32158. Whatever you do - DON'T DO NOTHING!

[jimbo2012]

The Better Business Bureau of Central Florida, is a waste of time, that' ok to do if the biz is around.

But they have absolutely no power in any event.

[nevaeh818]

You are way too funny with your pics!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by nevaeh818

You are way too funny with your pics!

I don't agree. This is serious and expensive and wrong. Not funny and I think the picture or the attitude isn't the right direction. Venting is futile.

I also think that getting the word out to any agency that protects consumers is the thing to do such as the BBB, POA, Seniors VS Crime.

It may be water down the drain and to persue it legally may very well cost you more money to no avail.

But this guy shouldn't be able to do business in this town anymore.

And we all need to remember .....no prepayment. EVER.

[jimbo2012]

The pic was very on point, stop being a sucker!

Don't pay up front for anything, it appears to me albeit not a resident yet that this community is marked by scam artists as an easy mark.



I can understand how some small business don't have the resources to bill every month for small amounts.

But that doesn't give them the license to use your money for services not yet performed.

What might be suggested is you setup a small credit card with say $500 that can be charged as the monthly work is done.
In fact you can use that for online purchases as well.

You have 6 months to dispute a credit card charge.

Now the BBB here's how they work each office is sold as a franchise, this is NOT a non profit for your benefit. I used to think it was.

They welcome complaints, why?
They call the business up and tell them of the complaint and sell them a bunch of protection so a complaint never appears by playing the middle man.

They charge a business $1200 - $1800 a year based on sales.

If you don't sign up every complaint shows up until you cave and join.

If you look at any biz that is a BBB member you will never see a negative complaint, yet you can be the worst offender out there. The franchisee gets their annual fees.

The bigger scam is the BBB itself. They can't do anything to help all they do is mail letter asking the merchant for their side of the transaction.

.

[Golfer in Sanibel]

There isn't much that can be done if this clown has moved on to scam others in another state.

[LittleDog]

I pay my lawn service monthly. However I pay my yard lawn and shrub fertilization company on an annual basis. I have used them for 7 years and I have no problem with their services. I do not know anything about Massey or Bates.

John

[rubicon]

The original poster ask if anyone had retained the same lawn service. He/she did so in order to get clarification on this situation. Instead members either misread or didn't read the post and while well intended proceeded to offer advice or dissect the OP predicament.