Rider Tree Service

Per Mr. Jeff Rider, he would commence work on 3/13/12 and if he did not complete job he would complete task on 3/14/12. Furthermore, per payment arrangement Mr. Jeff Rider said he would charge $1,000, but if I were to pay cash he would charge only $900.00 dollars. He entered Contract under the understanding that I would not be able to pay $900 in cash in one lump sum; so I asked him to accept three installments once job was done and he acquiesced. The First installment was to be paid in March, 2012, 2nd April 2012 and last the installment May 2012. He was scheduled to arrive at 9 AM on 3/13/12--he did not arrive until 1 PM. Mr. Rider proceeded to tell me that he completed two jobs and that he had no money and desired 1st installment today (money)--I was moved with compassion and acquiesced. A neighbor stopped by to ask him if he would cut down his trees, the contractor agreed to go to his home and give him a free estimate. To my surprise, however, Mr. Rider stopped work at 3 PM and rang my door bell to obtain the funds; but promised me that he would return in the morning, (3/14/12 between 8:30 to 9 AM), to complete the job. Mr. Rider, his daughter and son came to my home on March 14, 2012 at approximately 11:39 AM--I was too upset to speak with them so I went upstairs --(oh, by the way, he had left his heavy equipment in my yard the night before-3/13/12); at 12:30 PM I heard his truck pull out of my driveway. I ran downstairs only to discover that he had loaded his truck and drove off--so I called him on his Cell, 484-464-3937, he said he had to get gas--I said you just got here. I called my Homeowner's Association's office to alert someone since I live alone ,-- he returned and informed me that he arrived late because someone broke into his garage and stole his tools, he was further detained filling out police forms. I expressed regret. Later that day I asked something and Mr. Jeff Rider responded, abrasively, that I was the worst customer he ever worked for. He further stated that he always had satisfied customers. I retorted and advised him that he agreed to finish job on said day, 3/14/12. You would not believe what he did next --yes, you guessed it. Contractor concluded work for the day at 3 PM and he did not comply with agreement to complete the entire job in two days. He said he would send someone tomorrow to retrieve tree logs/debris--I asked him to please let me know who is coming to my home--for security reasons. (In addition, he repeated the ordeal he endured earlier and wanted me to make another payment. I said no. He said he needed some money for food so I offered him two pieces of halibut, salmon, 1/2 gallon of milk and one liter of Pepsi Cola, he thanked me). Well Thursday came and went--so on 3/15/12 I contacted a nearby Landscaping company to see if they would like free wood --the company had a tree service get in touch with me. Mr. Ron H called and asked me a series of questions including the name of the person who had initially started the job-behind my back he contacted Mr. Rider. Mr. Rider called and proceeded to yell in my ears and accused me of disrespecting and breaking the contract--he said the tree logs were his and I have no right to give them away. I answered back- this is my property therefore the tree logs were mine --he said you are supposed to be a Christian. I said one thing had nothing to do with the other. Then he said he would come by tomorrow to remove/clear my yard. He never complied. I called him again on Saturday March 17, 2012-I even offered him two oven stuffers, potatoes, etc--I just wanted him to finish the job. Well, Holy Advent Season came and went and Mr. Rider did not complete the job. I conferred with one of the personnel in our H.O.A. office, related the condition of the exterior of my home--she suggested that I call the contractor again and ask him when was he returning to my home to complete the job. Moreover, she said I should threaten to report him to Better Business Bureau if he did not comply. I called last Thursday (I did not make any threats) and he agreed to return and complete job Monday, April 16 or Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 8 AM. He came on Tuesday and brought with him two fairly large -muscular men--{his son and daughter did not return this time}. He arrived after 10 AM cut down the last two trees and trimmed trees as he verbally had promised--it was not written in the contract; about 1:40 PM he rang my bell --he was ready to go, asked me to check his work and then wanted me to give 2nd installment; but he failed to remove tree logs from the backyard, plus front and both sides of my yard. There was more debris all over the place in addition to chipped wood. I said to him that I would be more than happy to pay him, but he had to keep his promise (again) to complete the job today. This man truly lacked integrity and good work ethics--I was at my wits end; therefore, I called my property manager because he threatened to dump the truck load of chipped wood in front of my garage door; she detected that I was quite upset and sent a security guard over to my establishment. By this time Mr. Rider and his workers were in front of my driveway (near the street) they were saying that they heard from my neighbors that I did not pay contractors (a total fabrication) while my next door neighbor was conversing with them. I turned to my neighbor for assistance and he shrugged his shoulder. I said to Mr. Rider that security was on his way and that I would also call police--He had this "don't care attitude" and said by the time they arrived he would have dumped chipped wood in front of my garage--he did. In closing, security arrived, but rather than speaking to me, the homeowner, they engaged him first--I felt like I did not matter to these men. *Warning to the public do not hire Mr. Jeff Rider, Jeff Rider Tree Service, Jim Thorpe, PA, to do work; he lacks integrity, disrespectful, especially to females, and has poor work ethics.