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

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!

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

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.

Service Smart - Beware
 

Beware of Service Smart times Ten.

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

Xavier

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.

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.

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