[Paperboy]

I'm a sno bird & my house watch person recommended Fernview Farms (352-245-7905). I had them for 5 months & my flower beds looked OK when I got back here a month ago.
They charge $13.25 per mo. & U have to pay in advance. They come once a mo. & use chemical sprays. I pd. for 3 mo. when I started with them in June & than I called them to get 2 more mos. of service.

[villages07]

I have no dog in this fight but am curious about how all this came about. stellar started small, built a well respected business, perhaps grew too fast to keep quality services going, started getting some negative reviews. Then, within a few months he merged or sold out to another business that seemed to have a shaky reputation at best (one of my neighbors used them and their lawn looked awful). How does one go from being the big dog, with lots of trucks, to the weaker partner of a business with a less than Stellar reputation? I realize there is a family connection but something just doesn't add up.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by villages07

I have no dog in this fight but am curious about how all this came about. stellar started small, built a well respected business, perhaps grew too fast to keep quality services going, started getting some negative reviews. Then, within a few months he merged or sold out to another business that seemed to have a shaky reputation at best (one of my neighbors used them and their lawn looked awful). How does one go from being the big dog, with lots of trucks, to the weaker partner of a business with a less than Stellar reputation? I realize there is a family connection but something just doesn't add up.

If it is possible, it would be interesting to ..."follow the money."

[justjim]

I agree it doesn't add up. Price of gas is down and profits should be up. However, Steller isn't the first landscape/lawn Co. to go out of business in TV. One would think that a lawn mowing business that was operated properly would do well in TV. There is no lack of customers.

[missypie]

Never pay up front. NEVER.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by villages07

I have no dog in this fight but am curious about how all this came about. stellar started small, built a well respected business, perhaps grew too fast to keep quality services going, started getting some negative reviews. Then, within a few months he merged or sold out to another business that seemed to have a shaky reputation at best (one of my neighbors used them and their lawn looked awful). How does one go from being the big dog, with lots of trucks, to the weaker partner of a business with a less than Stellar reputation? I realize there is a family connection but something just doesn't add up.

Girl meets boy, girl marries boy and girl's father helps boy, girl wants divorce and so does girl's father....there are eight million stories in the naked city.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Stellar is not "gone". They merged with service smart. Now, you have a company that had a pretty good reputation (Stellar) merged with a company with a pretty bad reputation(service smart). It will be interesting to see how it plays out. The owner of service smart is the father in law of the owner of stellar. We'll see who runs the new business. I have a current contract with Stellar, and so far, nothing has changed.

We also have a contract with Stellar/Service Smart.
So far, service has been fine, nothing has changed.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

We also have a contract with Stellar/Service Smart.
So far, service has been fine, nothing has changed.

I believe you are in for a surprise. They are now servicing lawns once a month.

[sunnydayzl&l]

Stellar was operated very well and by a hell of a guy in Marty. Lets just say he had his reasons for selling. It was a blindside move not ever spoken of and all the employees were told after it happened. Stellar cared about quality and serving each amd every customer like our only one, service smart....good luck filling those shoes

[Sweetp-7]

I have reas repeatedly "NEVER PAY MONEY UP FRONT!" You don't have any leverage if the job isn't done right!

[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Sweetp-7

I have reas repeatedly "NEVER PAY MONEY UP FRONT!" You don't have any leverage if the job isn't done right!

Yes but some of these companies won't do that. They just have an annual price.

John

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by LittleDog

Yes but some of these companies won't do that. They just have an annual price.

John

You have a choice, pay upfront and be held captive to the companies whims, or pay as you go, and you have control. If everyone stopped paying up front, then those companies would have to re-think their payment strategies.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by mulligan

I believe you are in for a surprise. They are now servicing lawns once a month.

Mulligan, are you speaking only about lawns with zoysia grass?
So far our lawn looks fine. We don't have zoysia grass, so our lawn has always been mowed weekly.
You said I'm in for a surprise . If so, I hope it's a pleasant surprise.
If not, then I've learned an important life lesson about trust.

[mulligan]

Yes, I have zoysia, so maybe that will make a difference.

[drcar]

Yup, it is the same service! The same bad service! I NEVER got a notice that the company was changing. One month ago Stellar mow my lawn, forgot to trim and clean off the clippings. I called and was informed that the service was only once a month! BUT they would come Monday, nope the "NEW" company came yesterday (Tuesday) in the POURING rain and mowed! Looks BAD!! Two more weeks and I am done,. Any one got somesone good out there?