STELLAR gone.....
 

a new company bought out stellar...i guess they got just one more bad comment...new company sounds nice...

meeting with them 11/11 to discuss services since my contract with Stellar runs out on the 11/17.

There was a previous thread that was much more negative on the new company, do a search for more info.

They told me today, that now, during the dormant season, they are only cutting zoysia grass once a month. My lawn looks awful. Supposed meeting with Jason tomorrow. I hope to get some $ back and move on. When we contracted with Stellar two years ago they mowed every week, this spring changed to every other week, now once a mo.? I am going to buy a lawn mower and quit dealing with all these shay characters.

The new company is Service Smart. You say they "sound nice". I think you should research a little more.

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 contracted with Stellar on the 20th of Oct for some landscaping to the tune of almost $2900, which we paid up front. Was told it would be 4 weeks or so before they got to it. Called today to see what was up, but got no return call. Going to call again tomorrow. Starting to get a little concerned about our money that we already paid them.

Prayers sent.

IF you paid by credit card, contact your card company and contest the charge. If not, contact the new company and ask for a refund or an immediate start for your project.

Never pay for services in advance, in most cases I won't even deposits unless special order/ non- returnable supplies must be ordered. For example most landscaping supplies are in stock at the supply yard.

So it's about a month and you haven't heard anything yet? Call Crimes Against Seniors and tell them what happned. You gave a business 2900 dollars and they won't even return a phone call? No excuse. This is the reason you never pay any contractors in advance , but people do, because they sound so nice. Good luck .

They are dealing with Kenny Smith, don't expect a call - ever. I'm afraid that Stellar is going the way of Kenny's other "pathetic service" companies - "Once A Year" and "Service Smart". Run a company into the ground by not fulfilling promises to your gullible customers and then open under another name. Dare I say that Stellar may have been another of his "name change" startups? Hmmm, could be. Acorns do not fall far from the tree.

Xavier

I also had Stellar and now Service Smart. So far so good but we shall see, any transition is difficult but hopefully they will get it straight. I would take a ride to Service Smarts office and speak to someone personally. The next time I hire a lawn care company I am going to look at a franchise company like Spring-Green Lawn Care, Lawn Doctor etc. At least the franchisor will put someone in to run the franchise if it starts going under until they can find another franchise owner. It has been my experience franchises are very conscience of their brand.

Refunds!?!?!? Good luck getting one of those out of mr kenny smith. Ill say it now and ill stand by it forever that he does not care about any customer or any of the many employees of his. Most of which are sitting at home this week without pay. Many of stellars best employees have left or were fired by service smart shortly after the "merger." Pricing will be way higher and quality of service will drop tremendously. I wish everyone good luck dealing with a crook like kenny.

I contracted with Stellar about a year ago for weeding and trimming. They made 4 visits and did a great job. I should be getting one more visit but now with this change I don't think that will happen. I will be looking for someone else to do trimming and weeding only. Is there anyone or any company out there that does this type of work which you can recommend. In the past I had one guy who did this and did a good job but he was expensive. If I could get his price down to something reasonable I'd definitely consider him.

John

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.

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."

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.

Never pay up front. NEVER.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 :eek:. If so, I hope it's a pleasant surprise.
If not, then I've learned an important life lesson about trust.

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

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?

Bob !!

BOB!! is to busy edging!! And fixing garage door!

But seriously, someone must know a good company that keeps its word and does a good job! HELP!

PM redwitch. She seems to have a guy that does well for her and her customers.

Does anyone know if you can get a refund if you paid for Stellar and a new company takes over?

Yes, you may get a refund from Stellar but you must be very persistent. They will not offer a refund and it will take forever - several months. The refund will be less than expected and there can be no arguments. Do not know about the new company and their refund policy. At least Stellar is now gone.

B & B III Home Services, 352-561-4449

Does a great job, honest, mowes weekly and no contract!!

Synergy services does fantastic work and offer contracts and monthly payments 352 207 7848

Chad's Lawn Service. No contract, full service. Really works hard to keep his customers happy. 352-430-5416

Actually they are right. No need to have lawn cut more then once a month in times of Nov thru March. (It doesn't grow!!) Actually don't even need cutting in Dec, Jan, Feb!! I personally just have them trim in those months, and my lawn looks good. If your lawn looks awful, then you probably need replacement, and not cutting. Good Luck