Complaint Review: Advanced Tree & Mulch

Two men from Advanced Tree & Mulch came to my mother's door last winter, noting that she had a dead tree and another diseased one in her back yard. My mother agreed to let them cut down the trees. They told her they would return to remove the stumps.

The trees really did need to come down. Large branches were falling from the dead tree, so it was dangerous. The men seemed to know what they were doing and did an acceptable job.

My mother paid about $1000 initially. Several men returned the same day (to haul away the tree branches?) and had her write another check for $200, although she had understood that everything was included in the first payment. She says there were men in the truck laughing as she wrote the check.

When no one returned to remove the stumps a few months later, my mother tried calling both men and left messages on their answering machines. No one returned her calls.

Yesterday, one of the men she initially talked to, who gave his name as Richard Abston, came to my mother's door again. He wanted to spray for insects that had infested the stumps and he had my mother write another check for $300. When my mother told him about the additional $200 she had paid the same day the trees were cut down, he claimed to know nothing about it (he was not one of the men who returned) but said the other man had been terminated.

Mr. Abston also said the company was previously owned by two brothers (named Hall), but they split up and he now works for the company owned by James Hall. I searched the Internet for information on the company, but found nothing until I searched the BBB website. The BBB gives the company an F rating due to numerous complaints, and lists the business type as asphalt.

The company's business address is more than 50 miles from where my mother lives. So, why would these men, if they have a reputable business, not advertise but travel that distance looking for customers? I'm also wondering whether these men are qualified exterminators. My mother said the man started spraying while she was still outside and she felt the spray hit her arm, although he warned her to keep the dog away from the treated areas for 24 hours.

I won't be surprised if it's a few more months before Mr. Abston or another employee of Mr. Hall returns, expecting another check, to remove the stumps. I suspect that these shysters seek out elderly customers, and then wait a while between each step of the process for signs that the customer is catching on to their scheme (e.g., a stopped check).