I knew better than to pay for services not yet rendered!
My recently disabled husband and I placed our home on the market without any success after 8 months, we decided to add landscaping, a deck and finish the front porch in hopes of attracting a buyer. I hired Don Arnold, owner of American Fence, to put a fence around our yard; which he did in a timely manner. I mentioned the other projects we had planned and Don said he could give us a good price and do the work, screened back porch and deck and front porch.
After prepaying him and many attempts to contact him about the slow progress with 4 weeks of no show or no contact about when he would finish the job, he sent a neighbor of his to finish. Meanwhile we decided to cancel the front porch project since Don was so undependable. I spoke to him on the phone and through E-mail to please return our $1400.00's I paid him for the front porch. He has yet, 2 months later, to do so. I managed to get his ex-wife's phone number by accident and she said he has made this bad practice of taking peoples money and not finishing the job a norm. She said no one has ever called him on it. My husband is on retirement disability and I have had to stay home to nurse him back to health. So, as you can see, we can't afford to through away money.
Thankyou for this opportunity to vent and get the news out that Don Arnold / American Fence is a bad person to do business with.
Mary E. Brashears
Read Next Complaint >>
Reader Comments:
Posted by don on 02/17/2008
this is totally not true and having just found out this was posted, i thru my attorney will be discussing legal ramifications in this matter.
what Mrs. Brashears fails to explain is the following:
I contracted to build her fence, she paid. no problems.
During this time she spent alot of time outside telling me basically her life story. how she just moved up here, didn't like it, how her husband had shot himself in the head and how she was considering leaving him. her daughter thought she should and apparently everyone she mentioned thought so too.
when we took the job to build the deck and the screened room, i told her that i do not do that type of work, but explained my neighbor build houses and has lots of experience in those things. i stated to her that if he would like to come out and do that, then i would contract the job. if he had not been willing to do so, i would not have taken the job. those jobs also turned out great. after those were done she asked if we could do the front porch. i talked to my neighbor, he agreed but said it might be next week or the following. i told her that and she paid me for the job. mind you with the other jobs i had and my neighbor had, we were trying to work this in. plus, it was raining nearly every day.
after a week or so, she became upset and told me to return her deposit which has been refunded in full.
i had talked with her several times on the phone during this time. with the work load we had and the rain, i guess she didn't want to wait.
as a business owner i can tell you that my company is founded on our reputation. my ex-wife, who she says she called, and i have been seperated and now divorced for 3 years. so how would she know what happens in my business?
taking customer deposits and not doing the work has never occured at American Fence. the above story is a total lie and i can present thousand of satisfies customers who will attest to that.
Don Arnold,Owner
American Fence
Posted by sincerelysusan on 04/25/2008
Dear Homeowner:
Don't pay any attention to the threats posted from the owner. He is obviously scared to death that you have gone public with this story. Good for you!! Exposing these monsters may be your only recourse. If there is alot of money involved then hire a good construction litigator but if not then just continue to tell you story. My belief is that he wouldn't be so afraid of you telling your story if it wasn't accurate he would say nothing and take the appropriate legal action.
I don't appreciate women be bullied.
You can do a free search with your local courthouse to view his criminal and civil including litigation history. That information may come in handy if he wants to continue bulling you. Don't worry about his threats just be careful and gather up anything that defends your story. It may be a good time to start asking around about a good litigator.
Keep this site updated. I surely want to know what happens to Don the Bully!!!
Hey Don:
Man up, only cowards bully women!! If you believe that this story isn't being presented accurately then have your lawyer deal with it. This letter just makes you look guilty!!
Posted by felonsfleecingfloridians on 07/23/2008
Did you check to see if he has a criminal record? People from out of state ask if we have alot of snakes in Florida. I say yes, but more of the two legged variety. Business owners with criminal records get really nervous when people go public with their complaints. A strong business running on the up and up expects that some people won't be happy and doesn't go on the attack when a customer voices their opinion. Florida consumer advocate
|
