snow removal - too good to be true?

[rb]

My parents just got a flyer in the door (they live near Erin Mills TC in Mississauga) - the flyer offers all season snow clearing on double driveway for $190 - I told them it sounds too good to be true - a few years ago when I had my driveway done the going rate was around $300

With prices going up $190 is way too low?

Do you all agree ? or am I being too sceptical

[cheepino]

each month or for full year?

[rb]

each month or for full year?

full season from first snowfall till april 1st 2009

[jmc0]

My parents just got a flyer in the door (they live near Erin Mills TC in Mississauga) - the flyer offers all season snow clearing on double driveway for $190 - I told them it sounds too good to be true - a few years ago when I had my driveway done the going rate was around $300

With prices going up $190 is way too low?

Do you all agree ? or am I being too sceptical
Here out west, I got quoted $75 a month (this was a few years back) and I don't even have a driveway. For sure I'll give $200 for a whole season, if it's legit.

[bacid1]

find out if the company has been around for awhile, check BBB, ask for references, etc..

out here in Ottawa, a ton of my neighbours (and the rest of the city) got scammed by a TONYS SNOWBLOWING.

when the big snowfalls started happening early, they claimed their equipment broke and they couldn't do what they promised.

of course a lot of people never got their money back.

a quick check of references/bbb would have shown that this company had numerous complaints over several years.

they were also offering a deal which was MUCH better than anyone else locally.

like anything else, to a certain extent you get what you pay for.

[xansmommy]

Ours is $270 this year (with 10% early bird discount). We have a little smaller than a double driveway. We've been with our company 3 years now and they are great, they come and get you cleared out right away and always come back later after the plows and clean out the mouth of your driveway again.

We are in Gatineau.

Laura

[help_questions]

find out if the company has been around for awhile, check BBB, ask for references, etc..

out here in Ottawa, a ton of my neighbours (and the rest of the city) got scammed by a TONYS SNOWBLOWING.

when the big snowfalls started happening early, they claimed their equipment broke and they couldn't do what they promised.

of course a lot of people never got their money back.

a quick check of references/bbb would have shown that this company had numerous complaints over several years.

they were also offering a deal which was MUCH better than anyone else locally.

like anything else, to a certain extent you get what you pay for.

Make a separate thread about TONYS SNOWBLOWING, and post as much info as you can about them. Do your part to prevent other people from being scammed by these crooks.

[MacGyver]

Tony's got their license revoked from the city, so you don't have worry about them anymore. What you do need to worry about is the same clowns starting up under a different business name. So checking references is always advised.

Are we talking snow removal or just snow clearing? I define snow removal as in the snow gets removed from your property and you never see it again until maybe it comes out of your faucet next spring. Snow clearing means to me that they just push the snow around.

[Rembrandt100]

My parents just got a flyer in the door (they live near Erin Mills TC in Mississauga) - the flyer offers all season snow clearing on double driveway for $190 - I told them it sounds too good to be true - a few years ago when I had my driveway done the going rate was around $300

With prices going up $190 is way too low?

Do you all agree ? or am I being too sceptical

No you are not being a skeptic. That price is impossable to work with unless the service starts at 3-4 inches of snow before clear out happens. Most agreements are for an minimum of 2". Less than that and they usually just salt if you use the salting option.

Think about it. Are 10 2" snowfalls unheard of in Miss. in a season? Even if there wre only 10 that means he is getting $19.00 per snowfall. Out of that he has to buy fuel, pay a shoveler, insurance, truck payments, repairs to the truck and plow, etc.

Dave

[Robbo]

My parents just got a flyer in the door (they live near Erin Mills TC in Mississauga) - the flyer offers all season snow clearing on double driveway for $190 - I told them it sounds too good to be true - a few years ago when I had my driveway done the going rate was around $300

With prices going up $190 is way too low?

Do you all agree ? or am I being too sceptical

I received this flyer as well and I am in Woodbridge and was thinking of it for my elderly parnets. The website is www.firstchoicesnowremoval.com. It does sound too good to be true though. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has dealt with them before

[Dolfan-Neil]

I had my double car driveway & walkway done last year for $250. This year, they came back and asked for $350....hence I went out and bought a snow thrower (It pays for itself in 3 years). Based on that, your quote sounds suspiciously way too low.

[pintobean]

I'd be careful if I were you...

I just checked out the website "firstchoicesnowremoval.com" and it says that they've been in business for over 10 years and are one of the largest snow removal companies in North America...but their website was only created last month on September 7, 2008.

That strikes me as odd. If they truly were the giant company that they claim to be, don't you think that they'd have developed a website a lot earlier than last month?

Here is the whois info that I was able to pull:

domain: firstchoicesnowremoval.com
created: 07-Sep-2008
last-changed: 07-Sep-2008
registration-expiration: 07-Sep-2009

nserver: ns57.1and1.com 74.208.2.9
nserver: ns58.1and1.com 74.208.3.8

status: CLIENT-TRANSFER-PROHIBITED

registrant-firstname: Mohammad
registrant-lastname: Ahmad
registrant-organization: FIRST CHOICE SNOW REMOVAL
registrant-street1: 2 Robert Speck Pky
registrant-street2: Suite 750
registrant-pcode: L4Z 1H8
registrant-state: ON
registrant-city: Mississauga
registrant-ccode: CA
registrant-phone: +1.9057811514
registrant-email: waheedb@gmail.com

admin-c-firstname: Mohammad
admin-c-lastname: Ahmad
admin-c-organization: FIRST CHOICE SNOW REMOVAL
admin-c-street1: 2 Robert Speck Pky
admin-c-street2: Suite 750
admin-c-pcode: L4Z 1H8
admin-c-state: ON
admin-c-city: Mississauga
admin-c-ccode: CA
admin-c-phone: +1.9057811514
admin-c-email: waheedb@gmail.com

tech-c-firstname: Hostmaster
tech-c-lastname: ONEANDONE
tech-c-organization: 1&1 Internet Inc.
tech-c-street1: 701 Lee Rd.
tech-c-street2: Suite 300
tech-c-pcode: 19087
tech-c-state: PA
tech-c-city: Chesterbrook
tech-c-ccode: US
tech-c-phone: +1.8774612631
tech-c-fax: +1.6105601501
tech-c-email: hostmaster@1and1.com

I would suggest that you contact them and ask for references. Since their website says that they service hospitals and office complexes, why don't you ask them which ones they service...

Good luck.

[MacGyver]

Good thinking on doing a whois lookup. I did a search for 2 Robert Speck Pkwy 750 and came up with results for the following:

CHEM TEC INCORPORATED
Jassal Law
Redwell Infrared Heating
BERNSTEIN, Adam, Criminal Lawyer
Helping Hand Inc, Personal Injury Lawyer
An Unnamed real estate lawyer

BTW, these were from the first 10 hits from Google!

Also that property is listed for rent here. (http://www.starofficespace.com/Ontario-offices/Mississauga/Suite-7502-Robert-Speck-Parkway-_2055.htm) Looks to be like furnished rentable office space = fly by night companies galore.

STAY AWAY.

[y_me2]

drop by one of the locations here

Locations:

750 Oakdale Road
North York, ON M3N 2Z4

80 Bradford Street
Barrie, ON L5B 2N6

3601 Highway #7 East
Markham, ON L3R 0M3

Phone: (866) 571-8515

[bestjsg]

I have single garage with 3 car length driveway, got a quote for $ 300... :confused: ...anyways having used a few different companies, I would rather pay more to get a good referenced company to do it because good companies will clear your driveway when you need to get out, meaning that they might come at 3 am in the morning to clear your way to make sure after a big dump you are not stuck at 7 am plus they will also somewhere know when the city's snow bank being 'created' and have it cleared right away for you...

[sockboy]

I would love to hear recommendations for snow REMOVAL services in Ottawa. We share a driveway with 3 other people, and last year was a nightmare coordinating shoveling. I am going to suggest we share removal costs this year. And we do need removal, there is nowhere to put the snow.

[premlamba]

I received this flyer as well and I am in Woodbridge and was thinking of it for my elderly parnets. The website is www.firstchoicesnowremoval.com. It does sound too good to be true though. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has dealt with them before
It was a SCAM..my sister lost money too.in woodbridge..they are Fake artist.

[pintobean]

Check askaround dot ca for snow removal recommendations. Also be sure to check the city's list of licensed contractors before you hire. Its here: http://www.ottawa.ca/business/licences/snowplow_contractors_en.html

Message me or reply here for more on Snow plowing and removal in Ottawa.
:arrowu:
Please don't use someone else's misfortune to try and promote your website. :mad:
That kind of self-promotion is prohibited on this site...and it makes you look bad too.

Thanks!

[ghettogal]

I PAID THEM TOO!!!! And they never came...i just tried calling their number and it's disconnected! What do I do now????

[ghettogal]

Here is the whois info that I was able to pull:


I just called the number they register the website with and it goes to an answering machine with a man's voice...what should I do??? I know it's not a LOT of money but I'm really upset that they scammed me esp since I also recommended them to my grandparent's! ARGH!!! What should I do now???

[rb]

I just called the number they register the website with and it goes to an answering machine with a man's voice...what should I do??? I know it's not a LOT of money but I'm really upset that they scammed me esp since I also recommended them to my grandparent's! ARGH!!! What should I do now???

why would you recommend them - u never used them before???? Take it as a life lesson - i doubt you will see any money or service

[ghettogal]

why would you recommend them - u never used them before???? Take it as a life lesson - i doubt you will see any money or service

B/c they're old and they can't shovel the snow so I thought I'd let them know so they could save on snow removal and actually have it done for the winter.

[synaptech]

I just called the number they register the website with and it goes to an answering machine with a man's voice...what should I do??? I know it's not a LOT of money but I'm really upset that they scammed me esp since I also recommended them to my grandparent's! ARGH!!! What should I do now???

Complaints to BBB and RECOL. You could also try your police, but they won't help.

[Rembrandt100]

I just called the number they register the website with and it goes to an answering machine with a man's voice...what should I do??? I know it's not a LOT of money but I'm really upset that they scammed me esp since I also recommended them to my grandparent's! ARGH!!! What should I do now???


After all that was said above about it being too good to be true and you still paid them and recommended them to your grandparents!!! Guess they are right. There is a sucker born every minute.

Dave

[pintobean]

why would you recommend them - u never used them before???? Take it as a life lesson - i doubt you will see any money or service

After all that was said above about it being too good to be true and you still paid them and recommended them to your grandparents!!! Guess they are right. There is a sucker born every minute.

Dave
Jesus Christ! You guys are acting like a couple of idiots.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe ghettogal signed up with the company BEFORE she found this thread!?!
Calling her a sucker is rude and totally unnecessary.

She signed a contract with a company that she thought was legit.
She referred her grandparents to that same company as they also needed cheap snow removal.
She has now realized that the company was a fraud and she is asking for advice on what to do next.

If you have nothing constructive to add, please keep your smarta$$ comments to yourself.

Thanks.

[ghettogal]

After all that was said above about it being too good to be true and you still paid them and recommended them to your grandparents!!! Guess they are right. There is a sucker born every minute.

Dave

i didn't see this thread til today...i did a search on the internet with their name and this thread came up...if i came across this thread first i obviously wouldn't have went w/ them! Maybe you should get things straight before criticising..i asked for advice..if you can't give it...then do what 'they' say..if you have nothing good to say don't say anything at all.

[ghettogal]

Jesus Christ! You guys are acting like a couple of idiots.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe ghettogal signed up with the company BEFORE she found this thread!?!
Calling her a sucker is rude and totally unnecessary.

She signed a contract with a company that she thought was legit.
She referred her grandparents to that same company as they also needed cheap snow removal.
She has now realized that the company was a fraud and she is asking for advice on what to do next.

If you have nothing constructive to add, please keep your smarta$$ comments to yourself.

Thanks.

thank you..what you all said is true..i didn't see this thread til today and they really did seem legit. They had flyers, websites, email addresses, phone numbers, and street addresses even gave me a receipt. The reception to the number was a girl, the 'sales' that came by to see where they would shovel and collect the money was a guy. I'm not techy so I didn't do a background check on the website like someone did on here. I also didn't know that their 10 year business only had their website up for a couple of months.

Some have suggested that I go file a police report and go to the business bureau. I've also called my bank and they're sending me a copy of my cheque so they can see who actually cashed it. I made it out to the company not someone's name. I'm just upset that there are ppl out there that would scam the elderly. I want to make sure this doesn't happen again. It's not a large sum of money so yes lesson learn but I don't think I should sit here and do nothing.

[confused student]

thank you..what you all said is true..i didn't see this thread til today and they really did seem legit. They had flyers, websites, email addresses, phone numbers, and street addresses even gave me a receipt. The reception to the number was a girl, the 'sales' that came by to see where they would shovel and collect the money was a guy. I'm not techy so I didn't do a background check on the website like someone did on here. I also didn't know that their 10 year business only had their website up for a couple of months.

Some have suggested that I go file a police report and go to the business bureau. I've also called my bank and they're sending me a copy of my cheque so they can see who actually cashed it. I made it out to the company not someone's name. I'm just upset that there are ppl out there that would scam the elderly. I want to make sure this doesn't happen again. It's not a large sum of money so yes lesson learn but I don't think I should sit here and do nothing.
You may be interested in this:

http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/snowclearingoperations
If you are a low income Senior (65 or older), or a low income physically disabled person, you may be eligible to receive a financial subsidy of up to $200 to offset the cost of snow removal from your sidewalks and driveway. Only Mississauga residents in receipt of either the GIS, ODSP or the Ontario Works Support Act will be considered for the subsidy.

[rb]

Jesus Christ! You guys are acting like a couple of idiots.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe ghettogal signed up with the company BEFORE she found this thread!?!
Calling her a sucker is rude and totally unnecessary.

She signed a contract with a company that she thought was legit.
She referred her grandparents to that same company as they also needed cheap snow removal.
She has now realized that the company was a fraud and she is asking for advice on what to do next.

If you have nothing constructive to add, please keep your smarta$$ comments to yourself.

Thanks.


A recommendation is usually a sign of 'yes I have used them they were good" - not "oh they have some very cheap prices you should use them "

[cheepino]

I'd be careful if I were you...

I just checked out the website "firstchoicesnowremoval.com" and it says that they've been in business for over 10 years and are one of the largest snow removal companies in North America...but their website was only created last month on September 7, 2008.

That strikes me as odd. If they truly were the giant company that they claim to be, don't you think that they'd have developed a website a lot earlier than last month?

Here is the whois info that I was able to pull:



I would suggest that you contact them and ask for references. Since their website says that they service hospitals and office complexes, why don't you ask them which ones they service...

Good luck.



hey pinto, how do you get this information from a website? just wondering.

[rb]

hey pinto, how do you get this information from a website? just wondering.

www.whois.sc

[webdoctors]

hey guys,

Obviously there's a concern for companies scamming, do U know of any that U can pay monthly in case they dissapear?

i need a snow cleaning place to clean the sidewalk at a house downtown in East York, who has reasonable prices?

Thanks!

[rb]

hey guys,

Obviously there's a concern for companies scamming, do U know of any that U can pay monthly in case they dissapear?

i need a snow cleaning place to clean the sidewalk at a house downtown in East York, who has reasonable prices?

Thanks!

theres a concern of scamming from the company end too - ie non paying customers - I don't think anyone does monthly pay - either pay for the season or pay per visit

check neighbours who they have used and can recommend ..most prices are similar for residential stuff

[webdoctors]

theres a concern of scamming from the company end too - ie non paying customers - I don't think anyone does monthly pay - either pay for the season or pay per visit

check neighbours who they have used and can recommend ..most prices are similar for residential stuff

i;ve tried asking my neighbours, but living downtown ,most ppl just clean the snow themselves, since most have really tiny sidewalks/driveways.

The houses on our street are attached, but ours is a corner house so we have a sidewalk that wraps around the house.

ive tried calling some places from the phonebook but they say they dont service downtown area, probably since there might not be as much business down there....compared with travel time going downtown.

[rb]

Don't hold your breath though

http://www.firstchoicesnowremoval.com/4.html

"

FIRST CHOICE SNOW REMOVEL

Locations:
Attention Customers:

Due to the fact we were not able to meet our quota for the year we will
have to refund your money.

This process may take up to 90 days. We are sorry for any inconvenience this
may have caused you.

Thank you!"

[synaptech]

Don't hold your breath though

http://www.firstchoicesnowremoval.com/4.html

"

FIRST CHOICE SNOW REMOVEL

Locations:
Attention Customers:

Due to the fact we were not able to meet our quota for the year we will
have to refund your money.

This process may take up to 90 days. We are sorry for any inconvenience this
may have caused you.

Thank you!"

In other words... "don't call us, we'll call you..."

[ghettogal]

so should I still file a police report and go to the business bureau...and please...if you can't help me and you got nothing good to say don't reply...I'm really just looking for some answers that can help me and other ppl that feels like they have been scammed by this company. thx

[gman]

I had my double car driveway & walkway done last year for $250. This year, they came back and asked for $350....hence I went out and bought a snow thrower (It pays for itself in 3 years). Based on that, your quote sounds suspiciously way too low.

A snow thrower costs that much? $350 x 3?

[rb]

A snow thrower costs that much? $350 x 3?

they are about $1000+ tax for a 8hp one (good enough for a double driveway)

[synaptech]

so should I still file a police report and go to the business bureau...and please...if you can't help me and you got nothing good to say don't reply...I'm really just looking for some answers that can help me and other ppl that feels like they have been scammed by this company. thx

Yes, still file a complaint with the BBB and RECOL. BBB will attempt to resolve the issue and keep a record. RECOL will send a report to ther RCMP. Your police will probably not do anything for you.

Any chance you paid by credit card? If so, do a charge back. If by cheque or cash then there's not much that can be done.

The business is hoping that in 90 days you forget about them. Truthfully, I would say odds are you won't see the money again.

[jetway1212]

A recommendation is usually a sign of 'yes I have used them they were good" - not "oh they have some very cheap prices you should use them "

Then i'm sure she used the word incorrectly according to your definition. Ofcourse she wouldnt say yes i have used them. She merely "prefer" them as for being cheap service.

I dont know why you ppl would have to be smartass. Only dumbass like to make smart ass comment.

All she can do now is to file a report with BBB. If she paid with CC, she should contacted them asap.