Complaint Review: MARCO CHEESEMAN ZAKMANS Property Management

On Wednesday, September28, 2005, I allowed Marco Cheeseman (Zakman's) into my home to complete a visual inspection of a leak that had occurred in my kitchen. The leak stemmed from an air conditioner coil that had filled up w/ dust allowing condensation to drip, eventually causing a leak to the kitchen located below.

The water was sitting in the soffit above my refrigerator and began to leak through causing damage to the drywall directly above my refrigerator as well as above (1) section of cabinetry next to the refrigerator.

Marco proceeded to detach the higher cabinet, cut out the drywall & soffit beneath it and look for the exact point of the leak (which he found immediately). This work was done during my 45 minute lunch break on a weekday afternoon. Once he realized it was the air conditioner, I called my uncle (a CERTIFIED air conditioning and heating individual as well as the owner of a well known air conditioning and heating business) to let him know that I needed him to come out and fix the problem. My uncle explained to Marco that he had to be certified to open the unit Marco said he was certified, and had been doing this type of stuff for years. Since my uncle had worked on this unit a few weeks prior, they discussed what else the problem could be and came to the conclusion that it was a simple clog. My uncle explained to Marco what needed to be done. Marco basically cleaned out a coil and emptied the drip pan then closed the unit back up (a whopping 20 minutes maximum).

After fixing the problem area, restoration of the soffit in my kitchen was to begin. This is where the situation gets bad. Marco sealed the hole above the cabinet w/ a piece of drywall and taped it up. He re-attached the cabinet to the ceiling (that has since fallen too!!)

He asked his "partner to come in and paint (again, as a favor to me... because I was MORE THAN HAPPY to paint myself). Marco's reasoning was he had quoted me $400.00 and the work was not nearly as much as he thought it would be (no plumbing work was needed as he originally thought). I went out and bought (2) cans of paint for this project.

The partner arrived w/ Marco around 7PM on September 29, 2005 and the painting began. The kitchen is approximately 12' X 10' with only one almost full wall and 2 walls mostly filled w/ cabinetry no 4th wall. I arrived home around 10:30PM to find Marco standing watching his partner pack up his rollers, etc. he asked me to inspect the kitchen. I noticed immediately that the paint was almost fluorescent green and mentioned to him that it didn't look like the color I ordered. He explained that only ONE COAT of paint was done in those 4 hours and that the painter would be back to complete the 2nd coat.

I also noticed that he painted over several destroyed areas of wall (areas that were damaged by the leak and I was told would be fixed. Spackled. Something!?!?!?). I pointed out one area of wall to Marco that was lifting in the corner above my refrigerator he said not to worry about it, he would fix it next time. I also pointed out that in several areas I could see the yellow paint showing BRIGHTLY through. He explained that it was still wet and the 2nd coat had not been applied yet. Since he was my friend Rick's cousin, I BELIEVED HIM (biggest mistake I EVER made). The yellow STILL shines through!

Anyway, I asked what he had been doing for the 3 hrs he was there and he explained that he painted the trim in the kitchen (there is only trim along 1 walls in that small room). He also said that he fixed a leak mark in my utility room (where the air conditioner unit is located). We went up to see it and all I saw was about an INCH thick swipe of spackle on both the wall and ceiling. He explained that he couldn't sand it down yet because it was still wet... so he'd do that next time he came back. AgainI trusted him (ugh!).

Well, on the 3rd of October I received an invoice for $560.00!!!! I spoke w/ him and questioned why it was for so much money when he quoted me $400.00?!??!?! He rambled on about some insurance his company has to carry for his painters and something else about payment requirements, but NOT TO WORRY because Zakman's would immediately be sending me back a check for $160.00. I questioned when they'd be back to finish the job, he said that they were busy the rest of that week but would be able to fit me in the following Monday night. He requested I pay the bill immediately so that I could get my reimbursement more quickly. I was confident he would be back, I believed that not only would they finish the job, but I'd get the $160 back afterall, it's not like that incomplete job was even worth the $400.00 let alone $560.00?!??!!?

On Monday, October 9th, they were a no show. No bodies no check, no phone call, nothing! I called Marco no answer, left a message, no call back. I called & left a few more messages, text messages and received NO RESPONSE AT ALL. Over the next 2 weeks or so, I heard NOTHING from him. Then one day we ran in to each other at a neighborhood grill and he told me that the check was mailed, it bounced back, he had them mail it again recently, etc he explained that if I didn't have it in the next 2 days, that he would PERSONALLY drive it to my house. I questioned when he'd be back to paint he said to call him (oh - also, his phone was out of service, according to him, which is why he couldn't call me back).. Now that his phone was back, I was to call and set up an appt. This same thing went on and on and on I called from a strange number one night and he answered (shocker!). He started tripping over his tongue about how his phone was busted, he wasn't getting msgs, etc.. and that he was dealing w/ ANOTHER family illness that day (this was on a MONDAY). He asked if he could come over on Wednesday that week and he would bring my check w/ him (since it bounced back again).
** SIDE NOTE: It's funny that I got the invoice no problem but this d**n check kept going back to them??? **

Again, stupid AND desperate, I agreed.

Well, needless to say, he did not show nor did he call nor did the check arrive. At that point, I was irate and aggravated. The job he & the painter did was INCOMPLETE, he was lying and apparently had no intention of EVER giving me any $$$ back, and I was screwed out of all that money AND left w/ an unfinished KITCHEN AND UTILITY room! On November 22nd, I began leaving voice messages and REASONABLE text messages questioning when I should expect him to arrive. Every day, I send the same messages Should I expect you tonight, tomorrow, when? Will you be over w/ that check, etc

Finally, on December 18, 2005, I sent a message that I knew he would respond to (this is after I sent 40+ messages over a 1 month period and receiving NO REPSPONSES). I hit a nerve by mentioning his cousins name (because I KNOW that it killed him that his cousin knows what he did to me.. and he would think it makes his cousin look bad to me and many of our friends). I just sent a text message stating that I felt bad for Rick because his cousin lied to me and now all of our friends are aware of this situation and it makes him (Rick) feel so bad. He IMMEDIATELY called back (FINALLY) and left a message for me threatening to get me in trouble for harassment, etc. He fessed up to not showing up at my house, rambled that even though he promised me that $160.00 back that I would NO LONGER be receiving it because I am harassing him, and he had NO INTENTION of coming to complete the job, etc I hit a nerve so bad that he yelled it all into my message (very professional of him, wouldn't you agree?).

This made me feel better because if I do decide to take him to small claims court, I have his confession right there. He is a liar and a con-artist, and he hides behind a company called ZAKMANS Property Management located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. I also think I may have a case with him misrepresenting himself as being air conditioning and heating unit certified. He lied about that as well & charged me as if he was! ZAKMANS only specializes in carpentry, electric, painting, & plumbing. Also, my uncle came over to inspect the small cleaning job he did and found a part disconnected. This part could have caused problems in the future for me. Thank goodness I had somebody HONEST come over to finish some of this horribly BOTCHED job that I paid WAY TOO MUCH money for!

In a nutshell, Marco Cheeseman, ZAKMANS Property Management, is a con artist and will RIP YOU OFF. He has a lousy work ethic, has bad business practices, and lies over and over until he is completely rid of you, the consumer. I am aware that prior to "starting" this business (which I think he lied about being an owner of this company.... I'm really not sure), he worked for another company (I WISH I KNEW THE NAME of that company!!!). MARCO CHEESEMAN is from the Levittown, PA area... so if anybody out there knows which company he worked for (actually was part owner of - as he told me), please let me know.

I am bitter extremely bitter about this entire situation. I am a female homeowner and have been ripped off by several companies over the last 6 years. Many MEN think of a female homeowner as an easy target for them to make unnecessary extra cash off of no matter what the project / repair is. I've learned, over and over, not to trust strangers. Now I've learned NOT to even trust those that represent themselves as a friend of yours. This was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made and I will NEVER trust again.

I still need the job done. I've been quoted for the kitchen a job I'm still hoping Zackmans will complete or GIVE ME BACK MONEY FOR IT We will see.

I still haven't decided exactly how I will handle the small claims court situation. I've gotten pretty good legal advise recently should I go for it? I still have a nice side that doesn't want to put a black eye on a company because of the lack of honesty and work ethic from ONE individual employee. I think by submitting this case to you, I'm making a pretty good first step. I just want others to beware especially FEMALE HOMEOWNERS.

Thank you!

Julie
Levittown, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.