Complaint Review: Waste Management - Stockton CA - Stockton California

I was moving from my California Ranch and was in need of a small dumpster for the property, we had previously handled our own garbage and that was not feasible for my children when they are employed full time. 

I contacted WM through the website to order a small dumpster ( 2 yard trash dumpster) equivalent of about 4 larger cans. The price quoted on the site of $84.60 a month , plus fees (gas? taxes?) of $54.10. This is an acceptable amount for a monthly service that comes once a week. 

I was getting weekly phone calls and emails from a Shaun Russ. It was confusing and odd because I have never had a service basically throw themselves at me to find out how they are doing. At first we were hardly using the dumpster because there is only 2 people living at the house and a few pets making garbage. We did use the dumpster up good when I made a trip back from my new home state, to clean out some bedrooms. The container was very full. 

A few months go buy and another person moves off the property and a large amount of trash is thrown in the container, everything was bagged, and the lid was cracked open from a bag not being pushed back/down far enough. It was open approximately 5 inches. The string of this white kitchen bag was hanging over the side. The other side had a bulky bag holding the lid up a bit, maybe 12 inches.. one kitchen bag worth. ( Photo by WM 9/28/2022)

I was unaware of this as I had already left the state months prior. 10/04 I got notice from WM that there was a problem with my container being overfull/filled incorrectly. There was a Zero fee post on that email, they did not state there would be any charges, or that they hadn't taken the container.  I immediately started writing my kids as the threat of a fine was upsetting ( Even if it said Zero dollar on the fine). They stated they did take the container. Considering the email did not say there was a fine I warned them to be more careful not to not fill the container to the point that the lids would not close. 

2 day after that email , on 10/06/2022 they sent me a new Invoice for $369.94. I immediately called, and told them that isn't Ok with me. I was not going to pay them $234 On top of my monthly bill just because a few bags where propping the lid open. I was explained, that the excessive garbage * Could be* a problem for the equipment, and that it endangers the safety of the driver to take excessive loads. I asked, if it was excessive- why would they even take the garbage- and not give me notice that there is a problem with the can to fix it ? She told me she had fixed the unreasonable charge, and that they will no longer take my container if there is a problem with it being overfilled. 

Come to 10/25/2022 and I am billed for the $369.94 !! Livid is an understatement. I cannot get ahold of them on their 855 number. I am currently disputing the extra charges. They are STEALING from me, using a automated system, for an amount that was not agreed upon. They are a not allowed to just charge my card for something that they have 'feelings' that it 'could' be a problem. There was no problem, they dumped the garbage and didn't give us a chance to fix what they said the problem was- and this is from a company that was calling me excessively weekly for the first month of service.