To Our Very Valued Prospective Customers: This is in response to the complaint of work performed in the spring and beginning of summer 2014. The account above is false and twisted beyond belief. Not only has (Member name removed) lied about the scope of work performed, she invented a confrontation that never existed. Below is a synopsis of our encounter with (Member name removed). In late April of 2014, we were called by (Member name removed) to change the sand in her filter system including pump, sand filter, chemical feeder and un-plumb, unwire, and temporarily remove all equipment from (Member name removed) pool shed so unaffiliated contractors could remove the shed and pour a foundation for the future construction of a new pool house. (Member name removed) said work would be completed and we could return the second week of May to re-plumb system and open pool. We had a date scheduled for May 9th. On May 7th, (Member name removed) postponed that date. Two additional dates were set and canceled due to the outside contractors’ delay. (Member name removed) was made aware that pool water could turn green due to her porous cover; she said she understood that and knew that additional chemicals would be required to balance and clear her water. On June 3rd, (Member name removed) phoned to tell us that the ongoing work had been completed and we could come and open the pool. We explained to (Member name removed) that we would have the pool opened by the week’s end, squeezing it in where our schedule allowed. (Member name removed) informed us she had moved the solar heating system and said she had purchased a three-way diverter and asked if we would install it and tie in the solar system at time of the pool opening. I said we would do our very best but, not knowing what or how she had done it, I couldn’t totally commit work to be completed on the day of the pool opening. On Friday, June 6th, our three-man service crew arrived at 7:30 and began the pool opening. My service manager phoned me and explained that re-plumbing the filter system and tying in the solar system as well as re-wiring the system would take a great deal of time. I told him I would arrive with my crew of two to assist him to expedite the opening and to complete the work requested by(Member name removed). At approximately 10:30, the opening was completed, the pool was clean, and I sent two service technicians off to their next job. I remained with Tom, my service manager, and Jim, a service tech and cleaner until 12:15 when all of the work was completed. (Member name removed) was only billed for two men, though three remained on the job. The opening and sand change performed in April were separate charges on the bill and our labor was itemized as well as all parts, chemicals, and materials used. (Member name removed) went over the bill with us line by line in the presence of myself, my service manager, and my service tech. We also went over the filter system and pointed out each and every material used. She was pleased and paid the bill. On the evening of Saturday, June 7th, (Member name removed) called and said there was a drip in the filter system. On Sunday, June 8th, I stopped at (Member name removed) in my personal vehicle with limited tools to assess the leak, but was unable to seal it. On Monday morning, June 9th, just before 8 a.m., my service manager Tom arrived at (Member name removed) and replaced a leaking fitting. There was no charge to (Member name removed) or attempt to charge her. This service was done gratis even though the leaking fitting was original to the pool’s plumbing. Later that week, (Member name removed) informed me via phone call that she had stopped payment on the check and felt that she was overcharged. In this phone call, she asked to return unused chemicals, and we agreed (and did so on Friday, June 13th). In the same phone call, (Member name removed) indicated that she wanted a refund on labor but could not reasonably explain why or how. I offered (Member name removed) a $100.00 discount and an additional 10% customer satisfaction off of the entire bill. (Member name removed) declined our offer. At this point, (Member name removed) had all the services and products and we had no payment. We asked (Member name removed) to hold all payment, find an arbitrator of her choice or take us to small claims court and we would pay all fees and adhere to all verdicts rendered. (Member name removed) declined both options, asked us to return her chemicals, and informed us she would re-issue a check for the original total minus $100.00. We returned her chemicals and picked up the check. I told (Member name removed) that we were sorry we did not meet her expectations, but after reviewing several times and having a local competitor review our bill, we found our charges to be extremely fair. At this time, (Member name removed) explained that she had a lot of unexpected stress and expenses from the renovations to her home that spring, but thought our charges were fair. About five days later, (Member name removed) phoned me at 9:30pm on a Saturday night and told me not to deposit the check because she put a stop payment on it. At that point, I told (Member name removed) that it was in my bookkeeper’s hands and I wasn’t sure if she had deposited it. The check cleared the following Monday, and (Member name removed) became belligerent through texts and phone calls. I began to feel threatened and requested she no longer contact me and that she contact my attorney instead. (Member name removed) eventually filed suit in small claims court. I appeared on September 15th with my attorney and asked for a postponement until October so that I would be able to bring in my entire crew that had been present at the time of the opening. The judge granted us a postponement and (Member name removed) became argumentative with the judge. On October 10th, both (Member name removed) and I appeared before Judge Walter Rooth. Due to the number of witnesses we both had, he informed her that he did not have adequate time to hear the case and attempted to work with her to settle on a date of her choosing. She again became argumentative. The judge set a new date to hear the case, and (Member name removed) stormed out of the courtroom. Days later, she filed a complaint against Judge Rooth with the Bar Association. The case was reassigned to Judge Gorman, we appeared, and (Member name removed) was a no-show. We have been in negotiations with (Member name removed) through Angie’s List to try to settle this dispute. We’ve asked (Member name removed) to provide us with a reasonable explanation, i.e. a competitor’s quote. She stated that she would supply us with copies of text messages, two separate invoices (which she claims have conflicting charges), photos of work performed, and a reasonable explanation as to why she paid us twice and tried to stop payment on both checks. She has supplied us with three similar photos that only depict a portion of work performed, and refuses to send the additional information requested. We’ve given (Member name removed) the option to refile in small claims court- we would pay all fees incurred and pay her double the settlement should the case be decided in her favor. She declined. This woman’s unstable behavior has cost us a considerable amount in attorney’s fees, lost wages, and lost opportunity of work, not to mention mental anguish and grief. I would like to add that this was the second year (Member name removed) had owned the property. We had fielded several phone calls the previous season as well as three separate visits to explain and re-explain the filter operation to her and several family members at no charge. I have serviced this pool for 15 years for the previous owner, Carol Wise, with whom we enjoyed a fantastic business relationship. Upon selling the home, Ms. Wise warned me about doing business with (Member name removed) due to the mental anguish and grief (Member name removed) had caused her. Ms. Wise is now aware of (Member name removed) antics and has offered to speak to any prospective customers. In addition, I have thirty years of experience in the swimming pool service industry and have owned this company for 27 of those years. I and my staff do not claim to be perfect, but we work extremely hard to make sure that our customers are satisfied with our service and supplies. You may check other reviews on Angie’s List and also consult the Better Business Bureau, on which we have no complaints and enjoy an A+ rating. We hope that you will not let this false review hinder you from using our services. In closing, the cost incurred to defend our good name more than doubled the erroneous request for a refund by (Member name removed). We believe that this defense is preferable to succumbing to (Member name removed) bullying tactics. In addition, we believe that she is using this forum to slander us and intimidate our company into paying her the disputed sum. If you wish to speak to me regarding this matter or any other pool concerns you may have, please reach me at (716) 646-3660. Thank you, Jack Kuebler