Alterra Inc

I asked them to cancel my services. I will be finding a new customer friendly provider who answers their phones!

They use organics. We wound up acquiring their service through door-to-door. We have had their services for about a year. Other times they spread little granules around the yard. I have to admit, I can't see the effectiveness of this. I think the service charge when they come out is, like, $172. I personally have not had a whole lot of communication with them. I don't necessarily plan on using them much longer. I can't say whether they have done a good or bad job, I can't really see the difference. I have not had any real pest problems so I guess it is working.

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When the tech arrived at the house the next day, he had not even been made aware of the mouse problem I told the scheduler about. However, it wasn't worth it. I can set and dispose of mouse traps myself. I can't believe that is their only solution for mice! Who wants to wait a day with dead mice in a trap for pest control guys to come remove them? No thank you. My main issue, however, is the contract. The actual service is of lesser concern. (My name is Lisa Zimmerman. My father, who had this account, is deceased. I am the executor of his estate.)

Came to door with solicitation despite posted neighborhood prohibition. Sprayed outside and inside first visit. No reduction in pests. Had problems with billing and with appointments, manager mr Ireland attempted to resolve my complaints, but based on rudeness of office staff and ineffectiveness of service, I terminated services. Afterwards still received email from company months later scheduling appointment. Fortunately, I refused when signing contract to provide bank account info so they were not able to debit my account.

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The first three (3) treatments were ok. We had to call them back once because we still had bugs after the treatment and had to call them out in between treatments due to a nest of bees in the front bushes. That's the good. In December we moved to Comal county; Bulverde to be exact. When I contacted them in January, I found I still had two (2) quarterly treatments left in my contract (now I'm not a mathematician, but I don't know how you get five(5) quarterly treatments in one year). I wanted to have the remaining treatment(s) at my new house. But Alterra doesn't service Bulverde. So they said I had to pay for the discounted treatment package; an amount of $173.20. I discussed this with the customer rep and told her it wasn't fair to charge me a cancellation fee when they don't support they area I now live in. She said the best she could do was talk to her manager and only charge me $86.60 for the remainder of the contract. I didn't have much choice at the time. However, the following day, I got a receipt for an auto-withdrawal of $173.20! I sent an email complaint and got a call back from another customer service person. He said they would send me a check for the overcharge of half of the cancellation fee. We discussed the whole idea of the five(5) quarterly treatments and the salesman "bait and switch" tactics and the fact that they were trying to charge me a cancellation fee when they don't service the area I now live in. He just said "there were rules that had to be followed". Oh and he'd mention that salesman should make sure customers understand the whole contract before they are signed up and committed. Well, they'll probably get to keep their $86.60 because I moved out of the area without checking with them and getting their permission. I just hope the $86.60 they got is worth more this bad review. I will NEVER again use this company for any service, NOR will I recommend the company for any service. More strongly, if a salesperson from Alterra comes canvassing the area, lock the door and don't let them in!

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This is an update to my review written in June 2013. This company promises "free" call back if there are any "problems." The first treatment, they sprayed indoors. The second treatment I made an appointment for them to come when I was home to spray indoors because I had ants and spiders. They came when I was at work, not at the appointed time and sprayed the yard. For the next quarterly treatment, I again called to schedule an indoor treatment. Four days before the scheduled Saturday appointment, they came and sprayed the yard while I was at work and left their bill. I waited at home that Saturday thinking they would come back to spray indoors, but they never showed and never called. I called them to reschedule an indoor treatment and demanded to know a time range when they would show up. They said they would come between 8 and 10. They never showed. I called and got their answering machine. I left a message; no one returned my call. Do not hire these people. They are totally unreliable, and the quality of their service is poor. After three outdoor treatments, I still have bugs in the yard, and bugs in the house, and I cannot get these people to perform the contracted services they promised.

I have a "no soliciting" sign on my door for a reason but it seems that the salesperson thinks that the sign does not apply to him. "Yeah, I can read but there are bugs". I don't think so. If I wanted people to sell me stuff that way then I wouldn't have bothered to put the sign there.

Two young men continued to knock on doors after being told that it was illegal. They only left (I think) after I told them I would call the police. If they don't have any regard for these laws, who would trust them to follow the laws about pest control. WE AND OUR NEIGHBORS PLAN TO BOYCOTT THEM. WE HOPE YOU WILL, TOO. PERHAPS THAT WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION. Thank you,

It's gone well so far and I am happy with their service.

Overall they did a fair job. However, truth be told I only saw a small decrease in the amount of pests/bugs. Did not schedule appoints and then only sent an e-mail 72 hours in advance to let you know they were coming. If you were not home then they olny treated the outside of the house. Overall, for the prices, you can find the same servies with better communication.