I selected Robert's Tree Service because their telephone book advertisement has a trademark of a certified arborist. Jason Padgett, vice president of this company, came out and gave me his business card with his name and the certified arborist logo on it convincing me that he had been educated at the Univerisity of Florida and had knowledge and experience that non-certified arborist tree services would not have.
He looked at a group of 3 live oak trees which all appeared to come from one stump and another live oak tree about 30 feet apart in my front yard and suggested they be fertilized immediately.By this time, he had me (a 78 year old man) convinced with his knowledge as an educated certified arborist that I agreed to have him fertilize my trees. I was told he would be drilling about 800 holes in my yard to apply the fertilizer and could return in the afternoon to do it. The cost would be $1050.00.
He returned very soon and spent about an hour in my front yard. I was busy working in my backyard and did not see what he did after borrowing my extension cord to run his drill. He told me when he was finished that he had used about 140 pounds of fertilizer. That evening I could not find evidence of any holes that had been drilled and after thinking about it all weekend, I realized that I had been seriously taken advantage of.
My next door neighbor, Dr. Jerry Gugel, was working in his front yard and saw everything that was done and said that at the most 50 holes were drilled with a very small diameter bit that was 12 inches or shorter in length. I realized then, without any doubt, that I had been taken advantage of.
I called The International Society of Arboriculture and found that Jason Padgett is not a certified arborist and neither is his company - they do have one certified arborist in their company but this is not stated in their full page telephone book ad. I also had a meeting with Jason Padgett and had him explain what he did and why the exorbitant charge. When I told him that I found out that he was not a certified arborist and therefore was not qualified to make such decisions about fertilizing trees with a knowledge he does not have, his comment was "YOU GOT ME", but has refused to return any money.
I have discussed this with the arborist on staff, Ron Westcott, an employee of the company. Jason Padgett told Mr. Westcott that he used 40 pounds (not 140 pounds) of fertilizer and drilled 250-300 holes which would be impossible considering the length of time he was here. He also said he had advised Mr. Padgett not to have the certified arborist logo on his card; however, Mr. Padgett continued to use the cards to represent himself and the company he owns - false advertising both on his business card and in the telephone book.
I have talked to several certified arborists, one being Mark White; dba, the Branch Manager Tree Service
(904) 407-3055 and he suggested that the trees possibly did not even need to be fertilized but that could only be determined after taking soil samples and other tests. If it was determined that the trees would need fertilizing the cost should not have been more than $250-$300.
I am filing this complaint to expose the fraudulent practices used by Jason Padgett so that others may be aware of the false advertising of their services and thus be protected from the damages I incurred. I appreciate your attention in this matter.
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