Latella Rubbish Removal

Review: We rented a dumpster from Latella's. Upon removal of the dumpster, our driveway was broken into pieces and the lawn was torn up. The gentleman who removed the dumpster called his boss and reported what happened. He also took photos of the damage. That day, I also called the owner and left him a phone message about the incident. My husband has called him four times, leaving a message each time. My husband also went to the office and, again, left a message. The secretary was told that my husband would receive a phone call. We have not heard from Latella's at all.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Other (requires explanation)

We would like the damaged areas repaired.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/05/24) */

[redacted] ordered a container for her residence and container was placed in a extremely narrow spot on property as the customer requested the container be placed there. Before the container was dropped off at the residence the customer signed a delivery ticket releasing Latella Rubbish from any and all liability on damage to property from the curb on. Latella requires this as we are utilizing heavy equipment on personal property and we have no way of knowing how thick driveways are or if a customer wants a container on their lawn. Customers need to be cognizant of the fact that these vehicles weigh roughly 17 tons and damage can sometimes occur depending on placement of a 22ftx 8 ft container and if a driveway is not installed to proper thickness or is cracked from age, damage can occur. This is why Latella has releases of liability signed upon delivery of the container to a customer.

Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2013/05/31) */

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT ACCEPT the response from the business.)

That may all be well and fine. If the driveway was a poor place to put the dumpster I would think the driver would lend his expertise and let us know that fact. How in the world would we know that. It isn't a narrow area. Also, the gentleman who picked up the dumpster said it never should have been put there in the first place. He spent over an hour and 15 minutes trying to remove it. That driver even knew the damage done was above and beyond 'normal' as he said so, photographed it and immediately called his boss. It is also unprofessional for an owner of a company not to return phone calls. I think it is wrong for this company not to admit its error.

Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2013/06/06) */

Our company has policies in place that are standard in the waste industry from company to company. We also adhere to the same policies as any other heavy equipment industry for hire. These policies are in place because we are relying on the homeowner to tell us where they want the container placed on their property as they are the consumer and we are placing the container on their property for their convenience in a location that is convenient for them to access during a cleanup or remodel. As far as "above and beyond normal," lets say a customer asks us to place a container on their lawn, our driver asks the homeowner if there is anything underground he should be worried about and the homeowner says no. Once the truck accesses the lawn, the truck falls thru a septic system. Should the contractor be liable for repairing a $ 30,000.00 septic system even though the homeowner said there was nothing underground, for a $ 500.00 container. This an example of why these industry standard policies are in place. Our company as well as any other heavy equipment company is constantly at risk each and every time we enter private property.Because of these policies in place, which the customer acknowledged and signed off on, upon delivery, and upon removal, we do not feel that a repair is required by our company to the complainants property.