Barnes, Inc.

This winter we had fairly light snowfall and for most of the winter we had a bit warmer temperatures, which led to needing more salting. The snow removal portion of the service was good, we had little to no complain from the owners of our condo association, which was good to hear. However for the precipitation we did have they severely over-slated and re-salted. Any time their was a chance of precipitation or cooling after a warm spell, they would salt. This led to an excess of salt on the ground, but they would salt again anyway. Several times I watched them salt wet, not frozen ground, due to the salt that was already on the ground. Why salt over already salt covered driveways and sidewalks? After a recent meeting with them to remove some of the salting's from the bill, they cam back to us with a firm no, the bill stays as it is. I will say that they probably salted to the letter of the contract. However they appear to have over salted to just keep raking in money. In my mind this situation is morally and ethically wrong for a business to treat their clients this way, and a good way to loose them as they have.
This was our first year using Barns winter services since I have been here. I should have had a little more of a concern from the beginning when our 2014 bills didn't come until 2015, which hurt us budgetary. Then after we asked them to stop coming to salt automatically and check with us first, they came 3 more times, stating it was a disconnect with the office and their crews. That tells me they were doing this to everyone. I just hope other people put their foot down and say something also, maybe they will get the hint and stop taking advantage of their clients to put more green in their pockets.
I know Barns has been around for quite a while, and they are a bit higher priced but from what I had heard they were a more reputable company and would provide better service. That is why we switched to them. However my experience with them is just the opposite, and given the chance to correct it, they did not.
All I can say to others is watch your bill closely, and be careful of how your contract is worded... They will take every opportunity to provide service, even if it is truly not needed.