This is the complaint I filed with the BBB..
At the end of June, I contacted Mr. Richard Thompson of Rich Landscaping and Design by phone to arrange a time for him to come and investigate a problem I was having with my pond. He agreed to come out on July 1st. The evening of July 1st, he called and stated that he would not be able to make it. I had taken off work early to meet him and he called to cancel at the last minute. We agree for him to try again on July 3rd. Mr. Thompson got lost trying to find my place despite having given him directions. He showed up for this business appointment with his wife. She stayed in the car, with the engine running. I asked if he had brought anything to investigate my problem with the pond. He then stated that he was only there for consultation and would not be performing any troubleshooting as requested on our phone call. With his wife in the car. With the engine running. He proceeded to go through the consultation very quickly. I showed him my setup and described my problem. Mr. Thompson did not appear to have any ideas on what to try to troubleshoot the issue. He basically said he'd get me an estimate and would get back to me. I felt rushed throughout his time here. He then requested the $65 fee. I asked if I still had to pay since he did not do any troubleshooting as we had talked about. He indicated that the fee would come off the bill if I contracted him to do the work. At that time, I had asked for an estimate on checking the drains in the pond. An estimate to check out the pump and another to possibly replace the existing sand filter with another biological filter. He also indicated that he would supply an estimate to totally drain the pond and to take the fish out, clean it and fill it back up. Not wanting to do this, I still agreed to this estimate. He was also supposed to send an estimate to replace two trees that were dying and to include pictures on what he had in mind. I was told that I would receive the estimates in the next day or two. After not hearing from him over the weekend, I waited until July 8th and called him. When I told him who I was, he did not know what I was talking about. I had to refresh his memory and remind him of the estimates. He then told me that I would have those estimates in "2" days. I waited until July 12th to call again and at that point was told he was having problems with his computer. He became VERY belligerent at this point at me for asking the status of the estimates. I had told him in the beginning that I was interested in getting this work done immediately. He said he was working with the computer people all day and was in no mood to deal with me. At no time during this ordeal was Mr. Thompson profession. He said he would send out the e-mail with the estimates. On July 13th, when I still didn't receive the estimate, I called him again. He had stated that he thinks he has things fixed and the estimates will be sent again. Late in the day, I finally received a one line estimate. The ONLY thing that e-mail had in it was to replace the sand filter with "two" biological filters for a total of $3500! This estimate was not broken down to detail what the $3500 was for NOR did it have any of the other estimates I was supposed to receive! At this point, I had had enough. I called Mr. Thompson once again asking what was going on. I asked why I did not receive any of the other estimates that I was supposed to receive and why this one wasn't broken down in detail. He became belligerent again and told me that I should be happy that I got what I got. At that point, I indicated to Mr. Thompson that I thought he was being very unprofessional and that I did not deserve to be treated like this. I explained to him how uncomfortable it was that his wife was in the car while he was doing business and how rushed I felt. His rudeness continued to the point that I placed the call on speaker phone so that my Fiance could hear his anger.
Your Desired Resolution:
As I have ran out of characters above, I'll try and be brief with the ending. I told Mr. Thompson that I did not appreciate his tone of voice and that his computer problems were not my fault nor "my" problem. I then told him at this point, with the way he was treating me, I did not want my other estimates nor a breakdown of this one and just wanted my money ($65) back. His exact words were. "FINE! YOU GOT IT!" and hung up. After a week or so went by and I still did not receive my money back, I left him several e-mail messages as well as voice mail on his office phone and cell phone. He did not return my calls nor my e-mail. Tonight I called again on his cell phone and he answered. I asked him directly about the status of my refund in which he had agreed to in our previous conversation. He started to ramble on about him still having problems with his computer and that he received my messages and tried to call me back. (I have no record of that by the way as I have caller ID on both my cell and home phones) I again asked him about the status of my refund and he then stated that it costs $65 to troubleshoot and consult a job, etc. Etc. When I reminded him that he stated he would refund my money, he stated that he is NOT going to give my money back and there was nothing I could do about it! I then indicated that I would contact the BBB and the Attorney General's office about this, he said. "Go ahead! They'll just laugh at you!" At that point he hung up on me. So, as promised, I am writing you in hopes of receiving my $65 back, as promised by Mr. Thompson. My Fiance was there when this was discussed and I am willing to take a lie detector test on this matter if needed! The settlement I am seeking is $65 for services not received. I understand the issues of heresay and such but still thought I'd mention that she was there when this was said. If I am unable to obtain the money back that I was told I would receive, I'd still like to leave a complaint on this business so that others may learn and not have to go through this. Mr. Thompson was referred by Tim at Valley View Farms in Cockeysville. I have been in contact with Tim and have told him of my dealings with Mr. Thompson and was thanked for the information as he would not recommend Mr. Thompson in the future. He has been apprised of this situation from the beginning and can also attest to what I say. If there is any other information you need, please do not hesitate to ask!
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