Talk of The Villages Florida - Mansfield Nursery...never again!!!

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Spoke with him at the beginning of covid for an estimate. He was ok on the phone but had a very strong personality. His quote was high . He told us we had to book it right there and then. We didn’t book it of course.

My only experience with him was a phone call where he insulted me for 15 minutes until I interrupted him to tell him to never ever come to my house, and then I ended the call. I didn't even know the guy. I just wanted a landscaping quote.

Mansfield is Bad News!

My own experience with Mansfield from some years ago, mirrors that of many others. I told him what I wanted and he didn't agree. How do you disagree with an oak tree unless you don't have the room for one??? Mind you, this was on the phone and he had never even seen my property. He also didn't like my choice of shrubs. One of his comments was that they don't use a certain plant any longer. What??!?

I find most of what he does looks like all his other jobs. He also has a thing for palms which I did not want and he bad-mouthed me for not wanting any on my property.

It is my understanding that he "rewards" those who write accolades and great comments regarding what he does. The reward is either monetary or in the form of landscape favors. I have no way of knowing if this is true but it wouldn't surprise me.

I finally had wonderful luck with Sabrina McGowan. She is knowledgeable and knows her stuff! She has some excellent ideas and follows through. I can recommend her from personal experience.

Sounds like other contractors in the Villages

Sounds like the same experience we had with Decorative Concrete of Central Florida.
He was rude, arrogant, in a hurry , promised the world and then did what he wanted. I could not understand all of his positive posts on TOTV now I know if he pays people off.
I guess my fault, if someone is rude and arrogant go elsewhere!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 2028976)

We had Steve Mansfield come out to do an estimate for a substantial re-do/upgrade of 17 year old landscaping.

In my 85 years I assumed I had met the most of many different characters in business.

UNTIL YESTERDAY!!

Most rude, impolite, self assuming, bombastic boar!!

No notes.
No measurements.
A for show scribble of a note on his hand.
Has your number written on his finger.
Does not want to hear that you are getting other quotes.
Once he gives you his outta the ballpark number, he continues to add to it with other details that come into his head.

Tells you to your face you have until he steps off your property to accept his offer....as he turns and walks to his truck.

I am struggling to remain polite.

I just read the TOTV posts about him from 2011.....most say the same as the above.

He is the owner and obviously doesn't care.

Steve is the classic vendor that is so busy he does not have to respect the customer.

This is the first time I have ever written any business up as my tolerance for rude and crude is pretty high (for many reasons).
There is no way to let this experience pass without fair warning to others. Yes he will have supporters....which I suspect are in the minority, but enough to do a good business.

We had exactly the same experience with this guy. He wouldn't even come to our house to give us an estimate, we had to go to his muddy nursery and meet him in his office. On the way home we looked at each other and said only a masochist would do business with him.

Why don't you hire him and find out for yourself?

Point understood, but.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmydoodlebug (Post 2029828)

Why don't you hire him and find out for yourself?

Wouldn't you want the whole experience to be pleasant from beginning to end and get what you ask for? Instead of landscape let's say you wanted to have dinner. You go to the restaurant and have to be bullied by the waiter who refuses to take your order for chicken and demands you have the filet mignon, well done. You don't eat red meat, but if you did you would want it rare. Why would you subject yourself to that? Why wouldn't you warn others of abusive behavior by a retailer.
For those who have used him, fine. For those who would like to avoid a confrontational and abusive salesman, thanks for the warning.