Artisticrete - TOTV vs. BBB
 

I'm confused (not that that's unusual...)

I keep reading glowing reviews of Artisticrete on TOTV, complete with beautiful pictures of their work.

But if I look them up on BBB they have an F rating:

"Factors that lowered Artisticrete Inc's rating include:

Failure to respond to 3 complaints filed against business.
One complaint filed against business that was not resolved."

Artisticrete Inc Business Review in Leesburg, FL - Central Florida BBB

So i don't know whether to consider them or not - i like the look of their work, but i want somebody that will stand behind their work, too...

Am i missing something?

thanks!

I'm not sure I buy into BBB ratings. I've had dealings with them in Ohio, expecting some type of protection from unscrupulous businesses. All they did was write a letter to the business involved. My understanding is that if a business doesn't join the BBB it is given an automatic "F" rating. Could be wrong on this, tho.

Before I engage ANY contractor, I check with Seniors vs Crime.
In Sumter County, the phone # is: (352) 689-4600 (extension # 4606)

This Dept. of the Sheriff's office is available for phone inquiries:
Tues-Wed-Thurs 10 am to 2pm.

You give them the name of the contractor or company you want checked and they will tell you if there are complaints and if they have been resolved or not.

They will not give the specifics of the complaints, but they told me that they INVESTIGATE them and then categorize them as to wether they are legitimate, fixable or not.

I am glad to have this resource.

I hired aristecrete and they did work while I was out of town. We had a miscommunication and I was not happy about the under the roof color of the entrance. Shannon was awesome. Went out a few times. Fixed it. Sent pictures. Made sure I was happy. Did further follow up. I give them an A plus!

Bbb
 

In todays society any business can get slammed by anyone. Reports come in and are not followed up. I assume Shannon has had his OPP's moments. The case is did he fix them?

I trust BBB as much as I trust Congress! or AARP .

I go off the recommendations of my friends that use contractors. If they are happy I trust I will be also. Shannon took care of me and has called and come back to make sure I was happy.

I believe he will be in business long before many are out. I am also sure that there are many other contractors that do awesome quality work.

If you look at our driveway and then walk down the street and look at what Earl and Earl's driveway painting did to the neighbors well! case closed. BBB rating or not. That is how I picked him. Well AngieFox played a huge part in that decision also!

You have to meet the man look at his work talk to his clients and then make up your mind.

Herv

Remember ignorance can be fixed with education but stupidity takes great salesmanship. Test don't guess!

I can explain....
 

Many times people do GREAT work.... people are happy and go on about their business. Having dealt with the public for over 30 years I can tell you that you can satisfy 1000 customers and not hear a peep out of them, but make one mistake and all hell breaks loose! Because of that, I am more likely to put out a good word when someone does a good job for me then I am if they do a bad job!

I can also say that sometimes it just might be the customer and company didn't click. It happens.... ya know....

As to BBB, they are not a member of BBB, and BBB only files complaints, not compliments!

Now... you have to make the best choice for you.

I can tell you they did my garage when I was out of town. They did it with a professional product and not a DIY product from Home Depot.

As for me.... I feel confident that if I need that type of work again, I would hire them!

BBB simply is not reliable and is misleading because they reallt do litttle if any verifying... and trusting in them yields the same result as trusting in AARP

we had them do our lanai floor...39 x 15 and absolutely love the final finish but we had to have another contractor come in & fix a mistake that artisticrete made.Not happy with the way artisticrete couldn't or wouldn't make things right.We would never recommend them!

Why all the BBB hate???
 

The BBB does not fix problems and does not rate members differently than non-members. You can trust or distrust whomever you like but the facts don't change. At least a few people filed a complaint with BBB. BBB reported that the business was unable or unwilling to respond to 3 complaints and to resolve a fourth. They did respond and resolve a fifth complaint. You BBB critics have no basis to refute the accuracy of that report. The contractor made a choice to not respond to a BBB request and if you are considering hiring them you may wish to ask the business why they at least did not respond even if they were unable to make the customer happy. Also be alert in noting that there are two nearly identically named businesses... Aristicrete and Aristocrete on the Leesburg BBB site. They have the same address and likely both are actually Aristicrete and the "o" business has an A minus rating.
The BBB does not file complaints, they receive complaints from consumers like us and try to resolve them to both parties' satisfaction without lawyers and lawsuits. And Rhredd, you are wrong. The BBB ratings have nothing to do with membership in BBB. A business joins BBB because it helps in marketing to the consumer that they promise to try to fix any problems and to respond to consumer complaints no matter how rare or bizarre.And by-the-way, on aristicrete.net website it advises the consumer "Before you hire a contractor check them out on" get ready... Better Business Bureau! And lastly, on the aristicrete.net website is a photo of a man in his military uniform. The wearing of a uniform to advertise for a business is a violation of the Field Manual for Soldiers.

So you've hired this company and had problems?

The BBB revenue stream is from businesses. Over 100 million dollars last year. When they receive a complaint, they Give the business a heads up and all the business has to do is respond and say they have done all they can and blame the consumer. The complaint is then closed in the business favor.
The BBB is a joke. I'd go to whatever is said on TOTv, Seniors vs Crime than the BBB.

We as a homeowner must realize there are bunches of wolves in sheeps clothing preying on consumers here in the Villages.

As a tip find the businesses owners name and do research. Often times, a business name change is all that is needed to escape past bad business practices.

There is a landscape company over on 301 that has changed names over the years but yet same owner. Wonder why?

To your point.... I had a Car Dealership do warranty work on my vehicle. They put power steering fluid in my break line and ruined the breaks. They would agree to paying for half of the $3000.00 repair. They said the Oil Change people did the damage when changing the oil even though they when the Oil Change company checked the fluids they deemed it needed none.

The dealership agreed to pay half the repair but not all. I took my complaint to BBB with ALL paperwork from both companies. BBB concluded it was resolved to my satisfaction. It was not!

I have no use for BBB!

Reply to Village Girl
 

No, I have no experience with this company. Never heard of it until this thread. I am neither defending its practices nor attacking them (other than the improper use of a person in military garb for advertising.. I'm sure the US Military is not endorsing their work). My entire purpose in researching the company and the BBB was to shed some light where I am only seeing heat. Sometimes giving information is helpful to some readers. But not always. I have a friend who often says "Don't try to confuse me with facts, I have my mind made up."

Exactly.... You have never used this company!

As stated before, people are fast to post the bad and not so fast to post the good. I'm sure every contractor in TV has people who do and people who do not like their work, this company is no exception. People came on this forum to give Kudos to this company. Some people have said they were not that happy with them. But you my dear, have not had ANY experience with them and still, you wish to bash them. Of all the comments written about this company, which to you think I will take to heart.

So....when you use a company who does good OR bad work for you, please post it for all to see.

With all due respect I find this hard to believe under the circumstances of the pictures usage that it was done in violation of a military regulation. Please provide me with a link containing that regulation (you're stating he's in violation of) so I can read it and for myself and make my own judgement!