A. Macchione Brothers Inc

In response to Mr***'s complaint- I did speak to Mr*** on January 20, and accepted his offer of paying his bill but holding back $for us to sealcoat his driveway in the Spring. I explained to Mr*** that sealcoating is not done until weather is very warm, approxMay or
June. However, the offer to sealcoat his driveway was contingent on receiving his check now in the amount of $2,805, which he agreed toWe confirmed this in an email directly to Mr*** on Jan 20.
I spoke again to Mron Febsince we had yet to receive payment, and he agreed to send his payment now and we would contact him in the Spring when we scheduled the sealcoat for his drivewayHis bill for the driveway work is $3,255 ($ 3,plus permit fees to the Town of Closter for $105).
We await Mr***'s check in the amount of $2,as offered and agreed to by Mr***

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:Frank M, who came to my home on on May 4, 2015, is the one who suggested that I rip out the concrete apron in front of my garage (versus patching it). 100% of the contractors I received estimates from suggested I do the same thing. My valid concern, if I removed the concrete apron, was SOLELY that if the grading wasn’t done correctly, that I would get water in my garage like my neighbor did and had to hire a second contractor to do his driveway all over again, and correctly.Frank M said on May 4 that this would not be be the case, that they are the biggest and have 30 years of experience. Never did Frank on May 4 or at any other time state to me anything about pitch, that I have no pitch, and that if he installs my new driveway—that water will JUST SIT ON TOP of it. If he had disclosed this to me—I assure you, I never would have hired him. My driveway never had a grading problem, water never sat on it. To say I didn't because the water was going thru the cracks is nonsense. Many of the homes in my in my neighborhood have removed the concrete apron: none of them have water sitting on their driveways in this area. Many people still have the concrete aprons. They don't have water sitting on their driveways either. My driveway wasn't graded properly: end of story. Contrary to the Macchione Brother’s response about the amount of water being “a little”—this is a false statement. There is A LOT of water sitting on top of my driveway. This is incontrovertible. View videos attached. The video taken on Sat., July 18 (the first rain we had after paving day on July 13), was emailed to this business on the same day and viewed by them per their email to me on Monday, July 20. Not a lot of water? Nonsense. It's only rained twice since then and not for long. Videos attached.  I brought this problem to their attention on July 18 (not July 20). All they had to do is come to my home, take a hose and see how big of a surface area collects water and goes nowhere. Instead, in a phone call I received on July 18 from Frank M, not only would he not come to my home and look at this problem, he was unprofessional and abusive. Regards, [redacted]

Review: I would like to describe you my experience with the job and the customer service provided by this company:1) I asked for an estimate which I received on August-19 for a sealcoating job, including Hot Pour Rubberized Crack Filler. Following the fact that the company is registered with Revdex.com I approve this job and faxed the approval on August-25. On Monday, Sep-22nd, the crew arrived and applied ONLY THE SEALCOATING. When my wife, who waited at home asked them about the Crack Filling, they said that they used it up in their previous job. The crew also said that it's better to parch the cracks before the sealcoat, but they were instructed to apply the sealcoat anyway. I called the company and spoke with the representative. I asked why the crew came unprepared. The answer I received in a very unpleasant way (very aggressive and offensive) is that she has to discuss it with the crew and will call me back. I didn't receive any call from you customer representative that day! I received an angry phone call on Tuesday from the same lady (the customer rep) complaining why my wife didn't let the crew to apply the crack-fill. I felt I am under attack. Every time I tried to ask why the crew didn't come prepare was replied as it's "water under the bridge" and that I had to let them complete the job and that she has photos showing they made excellent job yesterday. After asking her why she didn't call me, she replied that she told me that the crew will come today. This is not true! The company's rep told me that she will send me the bill and that I must pay it. I told her that the job was not done properly and I don't want to pay until it's fixed. She threatened me that [redacted] (the owner) will call me, because [redacted] knows how to handle bad customers. I answered - "Please ask [redacted] to call me".I sent a detailed complained letter via email and fax, with photos of the sealcoat job, which is TERRIBLE. I haven't received and answer or a call.However, I received a bill for the job! Shame on you MacchioneDesired Settlement: Please come a re-do the job as it was ordered:1. Patch the cracks.2. Apply Sealcoat to the drivewayI would like to pay for a complete high quality job as promised in Macchione Brothers website:"Let our experts put their more than 30 years of paving experience to work for you today."

Business

Response:

In response to Mr. [redacted]’s complaint, we did go to [redacted] residence on 9/22 to sealcoat the driveway, as agreed to with customer. We explain to each and every sealcoat customer when they get their proposal, and before the job is done, that filling cracks is only for cracks ½” or wider.Small, alligated cracks cannot be filled, and crack filling is NOT patching. Even if the crew did not have enough filler for all the cracks, the sealcoat can still be applied,and cracks can be filled afterward. Yes, the customer did send us a picture, which will show that customer is on the verge of needing a new driveway, and that sealcoating and crackfilling will not result in a brand new driveway.When customer called the day we sealcoated the driveway to ask about the crack filling, he was told that we would send the crew back thenext day to fill the cracks, which he agreed to. When our crew showed up at customer’s house the very next day, the crew was not allowed to do any work at the request of customer- which was a big waste of time and cost us the ability to have done another job that day.Our office then called customer to ask why he would not let our crew complete the job, and he was quite rude and would not address the fact that hewasted our time, even though we came back to do exactly what he wanted.We did send the customer a bill only for sealcoating- he was NOT billed for any crack filling, even though we did do some crack filling, which we feel was good faith on our part. The crack filling was an additional charge on his proposal, and he was not billed for it.The sealcoating was $200+ tax, crack filling $125 + tax. Customer received a bill only for $214.Since the sealcoating season is over now, we can re-seal and fill cracks that are 1/2" or wider in customer’s driveway in the Spring; however, since it already was sealed once, we request that customer pay one-half of the bill for the sealcoating work ($107) in good faith, since he did get his driveway sealcoated.We sealcoat hundreds of driveways every year; We stand behind our work and try to work out any issues that may arise with a customer. We have been a member in good standing with Revdex.com for many years and have an honest reputation.

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:The response is not true at all:1. The sealcoat crew came un-prepared - They applied the sealcoating but just before they left my wife asked them about the patching which was supposed to be done before the sealcoat and as per our conract. The crew answered her that they used up the patching material in their previous jobs and applied the sealcoat directly on the open cracks without proper patching. They were in a great hurry to their next job.2. As I mentioned before, I called the customer service. The only answer I received is that The Customer Service representative will discuss with the crew when they will return to the office. I was not told that the Business will re-send the crew on the following day. This claim is a lie and I hope Macchione Brothers record their customers calls to verify that.3. When the crew came again to our house, without any early notification from Macchione Brothers, my wife asked them not to perform the job from 2 reasons: A. We had an event 2 days later and we needed the driveway to be dry B. Applying patching over freshly made sealcoat from the previous day was not recommended, even by the crew people themselves...So why did they come if it was known as wasted time and materials??? 4. After that I received a call from very aggressive and rude Macchione's customer representative in which she complained about not allowing their crew to patch our driveway. After being insulted by the representative for quite a long time I asked to talk with the manager ([redacted]), but was not transferred to him.5. I e-mailed and faxed my complain with the request to talk with one of the managers but never received a reply. I attached the copies of the email and the fax in my original Revdex.com complaint. 6. Why nobody from Macchione Brothers contacted me till today to resolve the problem? What was the problem to call me? See attached the copy of the email and the fax receipt.7. Macchione Brothers wasted our time and now they want to waste our money. Although the $214.00 they requested is not a big sum, why should we pay for half a job which was not even done properly?I ask again if one of Macchione's managers can call me so we can discuss how to resolve this issue. However, I would not like to speak with the same aggressive Customer Representative. She is not professional and definitely damages Macchione's business.

Regards,

Review: A Macchione Brothers does not respond to phone calls or emails regarding complaints.

All they do is, say someone will call back but they NEVER do. I spent +/- $4000 on a new driveway that directs water into my garage and will damaged my garage floor/door.

After several phone calls, and emails with photo,s I got one email response from them

These pictures were taken at 7:12pm- at which time there was a monsoon storm with torrential rain.

EVERYONE had water everywhere. We had approx. 25 other calls about the same thing.

Water needs time to dissipate after torrential rain.

The next time it rains, after the rain subsides a bit, I will come take a look at the driveway.

I will be away until Thursday July 10

Have a nice weekend.

Emailed more pictures with a level on the driveway to show the pitch to ward the garage door where the troubled area is and more pictures from a small rain shower.

Till now no response 7/31/14

Would like to post some photo,s to show the problem with the drivewayDesired Settlement: At least response and fix the problem

Review: A.MacChione Brothers Construction Inc. removed my old driveway asphalt and installed new asphalt driveway in July 2015.

After the installation, I found the stones coming off from the newly installed asphalt.

I contacted the owner, [redacted] A. [redacted] Jr.

He told me that he will bring the asphalt radiant heating machines by the end of September.

In August, he sent me a letter asking for the payment and there might be a legal action.

I told him that the payment is not an issue if this problem got fixed.

But, he was yelling at me almost 3o minutes on the phone.

I sent him a letter by my lawyer in August that payment will be sent out as soon the asphalt is fixed.

In September, I reminded him to come out with the asphalt radiant heating machines to fix my driveway according to his request.

He asked me in July to remind him by middle of September for the asphalt radiant heating job.

He never completed it until now.Desired Settlement: I am willing to wait until the season.

The payment is not an issue.

If wants, I can pay him now after holding $450.00.

The balance will be paid as soon as he fix the asphalt problem.

Business

Response:

In response to Mr. [redacted]'s complaint- I did speak to Mr. [redacted] on January 20, and accepted his offer of paying his bill but holding back $450 for us to sealcoat his driveway in the Spring. I explained to Mr. [redacted] that sealcoating is not done until weather is very warm, approx. May or June. However, the offer to sealcoat his driveway was contingent on receiving his check now in the amount of $2,805, which he agreed to.We confirmed this in an email directly to Mr. [redacted] on Jan 20. I spoke again to Mr. on Feb. 10 since we had yet to receive payment, and he agreed to send his payment now and we would contact him in the Spring when we scheduled the sealcoat for his driveway.His bill for the driveway work is $3,255 ($ 3,150 plus permit fees to the Town of Closter for $105). We await Mr. [redacted]'s check in the amount of $2,805 as offered and agreed to by Mr. [redacted].

Review: Problem:

I hired the above contractor to rip my asphalt driveway and replace it with asphalt at my home (address above). It was recommended that I cut out the cracked concrete apron in front of the garage (which is part of the garage foundation) and run asphalt right up to the garage. Many homes in my neighborhood do this. My one concern was that if this area wasn’t graded correctly, I’d get water inside my garage. (This happened to my neighbor. He got a second driveway done—and this was corrected).

I was told by Frank M, who came to my home on May 4, 2015 to give me an estimate, not to worry. They do this all the time and he does the grading.

The driveway was ripped out on Wed., July 1. It was paved on Monday, July 13. I received the bill on Friday, July 17 and I paid it the same day. I pay my bills.

I awoke to rain on Sat., July 18. It rained heavy for about 3-minutes. I was glad because I could make sure that water wasn’t going into my garage.

I went to my dining room window, looked out and never dreamed I’d be seeing what I saw. No water going into my garage but LOTS of water just “sitting” on top of the driveway — aways from my garage. My driveway never had a problem with water “sitting” on it. My heart sank.

Asphalt absorbs “pooling” water because it’s porous. Hot and cold makes the asphalt expand and contract — and water sinks in. Some of the water sitting on top of the driveway in warm weather will simply evaporate. But, pooling water like this makes asphalt “fail” early. A properly installed driveway, taken care of, will last 20 to 30 years.

This is now July 2015. Aside from my concern that the driveway won’t last (I don’t have the money to do this again), I’m very concerned about how this area at the top of my new driveway is going to behave when the cold weather arrives, when it snows, when it rains on top of the snow—etc., etc., etc. Where is all the wet stuff going to go? I’m afraid that I’m going to have a very large area of ice that I’ll be dealing with all winter, every winter. If it’s going to be as bad as I think it’s going to be, it will be plain dangerous. People have to walk on the driveway, myself included.

After rip-out day (July 1) I had a concern about the driveway “line—right side”. I left a phone message July 2 for Frank to come to my home so we could resolve it before asphalt day. No one returned my call. I left a message on July 3 as well. Still, no one returned my call. I decided to send an email on July 4. I then called again on Monday, July 6. I was told by Melissa that they had my messages and email and that Frank was way too busy to come to my home about my concern and that he’d call me at around 3 pm. The fact that he wouldn’t come to my home in the middle of this job was concerning and perplexing: I was spending nearly $6000.

Frank and I did speak that day. He was rushed, did not want to hear what I needed to say and he just said: “We’re the biggest, been doing this for 30 years, not to worry” and he rushed off the phone. As a homeowner, this didn’t sit well.

That same day, July 6, and before Frank called, three-men (Eddie, Anthony and Marco) from Macchione showed up at house. I bought they were here to speak to me in person about the problem. They knew nothing about my issue and unreturned calls to company. They said they were here to cement the Belgian Blocks. I said that work can’t resume til Frank comes to house, sees my concern and discusses it with me. Eddie asked me to explain my issue to him. I did and he partially addressed it. He said more work needed to be done and that it would be done prior to asphalt day or, on asphalt day.

It was while the three-men were here that Frank called. I saw on my caller I.D. he had called many times. When I called him back, I tried to tell him that Eddie had addressed my concern, what it was and what the next step will be per Eddie. As I already stated, Frank was too busy to hear what I had to say. Eddie said he’d fill in the team at end of day. He suggested I send company an email too about what was done on 7/6/15 and needed next steps before asphalt can be out down. I sent that email as suggested by Eddie.

I mention this driveway concern after rip out day on July 1 and the happenings of July 6—only as a backdrop to my next phone conversation with Frank on Saturday, July 18.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

When 1) I saw all of that water in the a.m. 2) reflected back to my “post rip-out day” calls and email not being responded to and 3) Frank being too busy to come to my home in the middle of a job 4) knew I had mailed them their check the day before (7/17/15)—thus having no leverage to get them to look at all this water—I didn’t know what to do.

I thought my best option in a very bad situation was to:

stop the check I which I did

leave a courtesy message for the company to please cancel my check (I didn’t want them to incur bank fees) and I’ll write another check when they come to address/correct this water problem

sent email to Frank with pics and a video. I did this because based on my experience of July 6 on the phone when he wouldn’t come to my home.

At 5:12 p.m. Frank M called my home. He was unprofessional and all he did was yell. He would not let me speak. When I tried, he talked over me. If necessary, I can provide a detailed accounting of what was said. I prefer not to. The last words he spoke were “I’ll have my girl Melissa call you on Monday”.

Monday, July 20:

I received an email from Macchione Brothers on Monday, 7/20/15—below:

Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2015 15:26:15 +0000

From: [redacted]

To: [redacted]

Subject: Re: Sat. 7/18/15 Driveway ([redacted])

[redacted]:

I looked at your pictures and video- as I stated earlier,

that is not a lot of water- you would not even be able to see the face of a quarter

in it.

Water must be given time to dissipate- it will seep into the asphalt and

run off one side of the driveway.

Asphalt has oil in it and water clings to it and draws it to the surface-

you have to give it time to run off the driveway.

Everyone in this company has bent over backwards to accommodate your

numerous phone calls, emails and conversations. This was a simple

driveway project; and as I explained to you previously, the water pitch was

a critical pitch and I would try my best to make the water run.

The water was going through the cracks on your old driveway; the oil in

the new asphalt draws the water to the surface before it dissipates.

Your driveway is fine.

A. MACCHIONE BROTHERS

71 South Newman St.

Hackensack, NJ 07601

[redacted]/ [redacted] fax

Macchione Brothers says after viewing 7/18/15 pic and video: “Your driveway is fine”

In short, I say “My driveway is not fine as revealed in pics/videos that I will email you once furnished with an email address”. They speak for themselves.

Note: I have no re-call of any conversation/warning about “pitch” referenced in the above email. I never had any concerns about water “pooling” near my garage. This was never an issue at this house. My one-single concern was water going into my garage if the concrete apron was removed and they didn’t grade right as my neighbor had this proplem. Frank M. on 5/4/15 told me not to worry. I do recall Melissa telling me by phone that Frank couldn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be a puddle in front of garage. This was noted on the proposal. I didn’t question it and accepted, that as professionals, this may be unavoidable. NO ONE said I’d have a lake sitting on my driveway. If I had been told this, I would not have hired this contractor. Many of the homes in my neighborhood have removed the concrete garage apron and run asphalt up to the garage. On Sat., 7/18 after it rained—I walked up the street: no one had water sitting on their driveways. There homes are just like mine.

I went ahead and released the funds so my check would clear. Now, I’m turning this over to a third party and let independent non-involved third-party experts mediate and resolve this issue. I don’t believe that any reasonable person would say my driveway is fine.

I spoke to the NJ Asphalt Association and a respected driveway contractor. Both said that asphalt driveways should never pool water and that it will shorten the lifespan of the driveway. They said there is no good unavoidable reason why I have this water sitting on the driveway. The problem (as I knew) is with the sub-base, that it wasn’t graded right and that there nothing that can be done to correct this driveway.

It rained again on Tuesday, July 21, heavy and a bit longer then on Sat., maybe 5 minutes. Much more water “sitting” on driveway. You need to see the video I took. I will email it once I know where to email it. I have no how idea how all this is going to work when we get sustained heavy rains.

Humans aren’t perfect. People makes mistakes. I can deal with a little water. This is a lot of water. This winter? I’m concerned.

I regret that this happened and I prefer not to be in this position. I work hard. Frank, his brothers and everyone who worked on this driveway worked hard. A mistake was made. And I just spent $5800—and now have to re-do this driveway. To do that, I need my money back.Desired Settlement: Requested resolution:

I want my money refunded for a new driveway—one that will last 20-30 years and one where no one will have to wade thru water to get to the garage when raining and where no one will fall in the cold weather on ice.

If the Belgian Block can remain in tact in a rip-out, then keep the $1550

I’d then just want the $4250 back for the rip-out and pavement of a new driveway.

I’m not looking to financially hurt anyone nor do I want to be hurt financially—I just can’t afford to pay for this yet again.

Business

Response:

Tell us why here...First- Ms. [redacted]’s complaint was so long winded, it was difficult to read the entire thing. Ms. [redacted] sent us numerous emails, each one more lengthy and convoluted than the one before it.

Every step of the way, Ms. [redacted] has questioned us extensively on our methods,

workmanship- with many many calls to our office, the owners and emails almost every day.

It becomes very difficult to work for a customer who is constantly calling and questioning how we do our work, who is on a crew, when we should be in the office, etc.

Her job consisted of ripping up and replacing the existing driveway, including removing the concrete apron in front of the garage and paving up to the garage, and installing 20 ft of Belgian Block.

I did explain to Ms. [redacted] at the outset of her job that the pitch was a critical pitch in her driveway, meaning that there is no pitch to make the water run. A driveway needs ¼” of pitch per running foot; less than that becomes a “critical pitch” and the customer will probably have some water laying on the driveway.

We did receive an email on July 20 from Ms. [redacted] with pictures of the driveway after It rained, showing a bit of water. We responded to her that there was hardly any water- it wasn’t even holding a ¼” of water- you can’t even see the face of a quarter in the water. The water was going through the cracks in the old asphalt because old asphalt is porous; new asphalt has oil that draws the water

to the surface. Time must be given after it rains to allow the water to dissipate.

We paved the driveway as contracted; there is nothing wrong with the driveway. There are some customers that can never be made happy.

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:Frank M, who came to my home on on May 4, 2015, is the one who suggested that I rip out the concrete apron in front of my garage (versus patching it). 100% of the contractors I received estimates from suggested I do the same thing. My valid concern, if I removed the concrete apron, was SOLELY that if the grading wasn’t done correctly, that I would get water in my garage like my neighbor did and had to hire a second contractor to do his driveway all over again, and correctly.Frank M said on May 4 that this would not be be the case, that they are the biggest and have 30 years of experience. Never did Frank on May 4 or at any other time state to me anything about pitch, that I have no pitch, and that if he installs my new driveway—that water will JUST SIT ON TOP of it. If he had disclosed this to me—I assure you, I never would have hired him. My driveway never had a grading problem, water never sat on it. To say I didn't because the water was going thru the cracks is nonsense. Many of the homes in my in my neighborhood have removed the concrete apron: none of them have water sitting on their driveways in this area. Many people still have the concrete aprons. They don't have water sitting on their driveways either. My driveway wasn't graded properly: end of story. Contrary to the Macchione Brother’s response about the amount of water being “a little”—this is a false statement. There is A LOT of water sitting on top of my driveway. This is incontrovertible. View videos attached. The video taken on Sat., July 18 (the first rain we had after paving day on July 13), was emailed to this business on the same day and viewed by them per their email to me on Monday, July 20. Not a lot of water? Nonsense. It's only rained twice since then and not for long. Videos attached. I brought this problem to their attention on July 18 (not July 20). All they had to do is come to my home, take a hose and see how big of a surface area collects water and goes nowhere. Instead, in a phone call I received on July 18 from Frank M, not only would he not come to my home and look at this problem, he was unprofessional and abusive. Regards,

[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

Hello [redacted]:I just opened your email (8/10/15). I attached a pic and videos with my Saturday, 8/8/15 response to Revdex.com. I'll attach them again here for you. Thank you very much.[redacted]Video #687 (7/18/15) was the first rain we've had here--since pave-day on 7/13/15Pic #686 (7/18/15) was the first rain we've had here--since pave-day on 7/13/15Video #697 (7/18/15) was the second rain we've had here--since pave-day on 7/13/15Video #709 (7/30/15) was the third rain we've had here--since pave-day on 7/13/15 (No rain here since. Very dry.)Please let me know if you don't get them again. Perhaps I didn't check the box last time. Thanks.

Review: Installed asphalt driveway on July 15th, 2014. Noticed almost immediately water pooling in several locations. Biggest concern was water pooling near walkway. Told they would monitor over next several rain falls and have time to fix problem before fall. After sending email a nd leaving message, received call back from [redacted], one of owners, tellinh me the lay of driveway prevented them doing anything and that the water would evaporate within 30 minutes. When I tried to explaiu that this was fine now, but come winter, are would tuirn into a skating rink. He started yelling at me telling me I didn;t know what I was talking about. I then hung up phone on this guy.

I will likely now have to fix the problem myself, puuting in drainoff and want them to pay me for this.Desired Settlement: Pay me to have someone else fix the problem, puuting in drainoff and want them to pay me for this.