- Report: #944827
Complaint Review: Rankin Fence - Lavon, Dallas Texas
Reported By:
M -
Dallas, Texas, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Rankin Fence
905 Crockett Drive, Lavon, TX 75166 Lavon, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
Phone:
214-664-5009
Web:
www.rankinfence.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Rankin Fence Daniel Rankin New fence and electric gate are faulty Lavon, Dallas, Texas
I paid about $25,000 for a fence from Daniel Rankin Fence (www.rankinfence.com). This is a very big fence, double wood, crowns and trims, an electric gate, etc. I was promised several things from lifetime warrantee to high end craftsman work.
Problems started immediately with the electric fence which tilts due to weight (metal frame with wood only on one side so of course it tilts) and therefore doesnt close properly. I was promised that it wouldnt get worst and that an extra wedge (like a guide rail at the end) was placed to force the gate into place when closed. Of course, the tilt has gotten worse and now the gate doesnt close all the way due to the fence hitting the wedge.
Now all the extras like crown molding and post boxes are drying out and falling off. Also, in a lot of places, the nails are simply coming undone because they were not put nailed in correctly; very shoddy workmanship (which is causing the wood to fall off the structure).
All this happened in less than two years. Also, this dipped in stain fence now needs to be restrained and everybody Ive talked to said it should last 5 years but that my fence looks to be in a lot worse condition, as if it was never stained properly to begin with. I even tried to sweeten the pot by offering to add a gazebo to my backyard (which I wanted anyway) if he would just come out and fix the fence; still nothing.
Ive been in contact with the owner Daniel Rankin who did the initial quote (but seems to only use sub-contractors) about this but he has not moved forward with any repairs. He keeps telling me hes talked to people about it or promising that somebody will be out next week but still nothing (the repair crew never visited). When I complain, he always says he is out of town but hell make some calls. Now a year has gone by, he finally visited to talk, but still didnt fix anything. So almost another two months have pasted and still nothing. I just talked with him and again he is out of town and again next week somebody will come by. Im sorry, but I do not believe him, not after over a year of this same excuse.
Ironically, my fence is on his websites homepage as well as other places as an example of his work! You have been warned.
Problems started immediately with the electric fence which tilts due to weight (metal frame with wood only on one side so of course it tilts) and therefore doesnt close properly. I was promised that it wouldnt get worst and that an extra wedge (like a guide rail at the end) was placed to force the gate into place when closed. Of course, the tilt has gotten worse and now the gate doesnt close all the way due to the fence hitting the wedge.
Now all the extras like crown molding and post boxes are drying out and falling off. Also, in a lot of places, the nails are simply coming undone because they were not put nailed in correctly; very shoddy workmanship (which is causing the wood to fall off the structure).
All this happened in less than two years. Also, this dipped in stain fence now needs to be restrained and everybody Ive talked to said it should last 5 years but that my fence looks to be in a lot worse condition, as if it was never stained properly to begin with. I even tried to sweeten the pot by offering to add a gazebo to my backyard (which I wanted anyway) if he would just come out and fix the fence; still nothing.
Ive been in contact with the owner Daniel Rankin who did the initial quote (but seems to only use sub-contractors) about this but he has not moved forward with any repairs. He keeps telling me hes talked to people about it or promising that somebody will be out next week but still nothing (the repair crew never visited). When I complain, he always says he is out of town but hell make some calls. Now a year has gone by, he finally visited to talk, but still didnt fix anything. So almost another two months have pasted and still nothing. I just talked with him and again he is out of town and again next week somebody will come by. Im sorry, but I do not believe him, not after over a year of this same excuse.
Ironically, my fence is on his websites homepage as well as other places as an example of his work! You have been warned.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
M
Dallas,Texas,
Avoiding the Issue
#2Author of original report
Thu, January 23, 2014
My report is pretty accurate. You seem to miss the point. I paid heavily for a fence that began to fall apart within the first few months. Simple repairs could have solved this problem quickly and easily.
While you have cherry picked references for new clients, while doing research, I found many others have similar problems. Many state they paid for fences that begin to fall apart within the first few months. This trend is more telling of the overall business.
I’m always available. I spent a majority of our time chasing you. You always gave me excuses such as going out of town or you will get back with me next week, all delay tactics. Many times you even promised to fix the fence but the repair crews never showed up, but I set aside time for them.
By your admission: “boxes on posts are not fully stable due to not having ample bracing for support”. If you installed the boxes, aren’t you supposed to provide ample bracing? Is an electronic gate supposed to tilt and not close properly? Who should repair your faulty installs?
Even if features are just for looks, they should still work. Many of the boxes and crowns have decayed, split, or just fell off. This problem happened within the first few months, not a decade later.
I still find it ironic that the featured fence on his website looks great on day one but if you saw it now, the fence looks horrible. I do not expect forever on warranty, but I do except that $25k purchase would garner at least a few months of repairs. I feel that Daniel’s tactic is to delay any and all repairs until he can say it is no longer covered or that the client gives up.
You all have been warned.
Rankin Fence
Lavon,Texas,
Showcased Fence
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, January 22, 2014
I feel this report is incorrect and missing accurate details. I didn't realize that it was even on here, because I had no reason to look. I take great care of my customers, and yes I have numerous references available upon request. This particular incident is based on miscommunication, which whether it is my fault or the customer's, I fully take the blame. However, in the case where I have made many trips to handle a problem that was forwarned, (boxes on posts are not fully stable due to not haveing ample bracing for support. They are merely for looks.) I was unable to reach the customer on a number of times, which was understandable due to his busy schedule. As far as the fence being on my website, that should speak for itself. I wouldn't put an ugly or incorrect fence on my homepage. His fence was spectacular, and just needed proper maintenance to keep it that way. For the record, I have never offered anyone a "Lifetime Guaranty" on a fence. That just doesn't make sense.
