Noah's Landing Petting Zoo & Pony Rides

Response to Complaint ID #11822327   On October 4, 2016, I received a call for a bid to construct a shelving unit for [redacted].  I scheduled an appointment to come to the job site on October 7th to provide the cost estimate for the project.   On the morning of the 7th I...

travelled to [redacted]., approximately 45 miles from my base of operation, and learned the customer required a two-stage shelving unit attached to the interior dwelling wall with three carpet covered shelves in the first stage and the second stage consisting of additional shelving to be completed at a later date. I submitted my bid based on this information.    The time to construct the framing was estimated to take a day with an additional day to complete covering the first three shelves with carpet and permanently attaching them to the framing.  These shelves were to be notched into the framing for a smooth surface upon completion.  The verbal agreement with the customer was that she would purchase all materials and I would charge her $250.00 for two days labor for myself and my assistant.    Ms. [redacted] agreed to these terms.  It was also agreed that, due to the fact that she was having vehicle issues, I would do her the courtesy of driving to her home on [redacted] on October 11th at 9:00 AM and take her to the car dealer where she was in the process of purchasing a new vehicle.  She would, at that time, provide me with $200.00 to purchase the materials required for the job and I would then begin the shelf project the following morning.    On the 11th, I placed a call to the customer at 8:05 AM to inform her that I was on my way to pick her up and that I would arrive at approximately 9:00 AM as agreed upon the day before.  During this call, we were disconnected and I subsequently received four new messages from her at 8:09, 8:11, 8:16 and 8:20AM, each one becoming more and more abusive.  I did not hear these messages until I was back in range, having driven out of cell phone range in my drive to her house.    These bombastic calls were an initial concern to me but when I got to her house, she explained that she had become upset when she was unable to reach me and apologized for her anger and use of inappropriate language.  I told her I understood but that she should remember that there were places where cell phone service was unavailable but to be assured that I would be in touch with her as soon as I was able to do so.  On October 12th, I arrived on the job site at 9:00 AM, delivering the $187.00 worth of materials I had purchased the previous day and refunded her change of $13.00.  I did this in the presence of my helper, [redacted] and he can attest to this fact.  We completed the initial shelf framing by the end of the day and at this point, she was extremely satisfied with the work thus far completed.   On October 13th, I arrived again at 9:00 AM to begin the final stage of the project.  Upon arriving, the customer instructed me that she wanted to change the configuration of the unit.  She wanted to have me place additional plywood on top of the framing, completed the previous day, in order to “seal” the unit.  I explained to her that the interior wall would not require sealing and that I had not accounted for that step in the initial bid.  She insisted that I place the plywood on top of the framing.  I agreed that I would do this but it would now change the bid amount and time estimate.  She understood that there would be additional cost but felt it was critical to accomplish this project to her specifications, not mine.   The amended agreement was that I would complete the installation of the plywood that day and return the following day to complete the shelf installation of plywood, additional framing and place the three carpet covered shelves, for the balance of the initial bid plus an additional $100.00 for the time requirement for the modifications.   At the end of the day, we had installed the additional plywood on top of the framing but she did not have the money necessary to replace the plywood for the three shelves.  I informed her that I had a remnant from a previous job that I would be happy to give her at no charge in order get the shelves created.  I explained that it wasn’t perfect and that there was glue on the board.  The glue was not an issue because we were covering the shelves with carpet.  She accepted the board and thanked me for giving it to her.    When we were done that afternoon, we picked up our work area, storing the boards under the eaves, out of the direct weather as we were told to do.  When I requested payment of the initial bid amount, she informed me that she was unable to pay the entire amount until the following day.  In fact, she paid me only $160.00 of the original $250.00 bid, which I agreed to with the understanding that I would return the following day to complete the modified Stage I and she would pay the balance at that time.   As I was leaving the residence on [redacted]., my vehicle broke down and I found myself unable to meet the commitment for October 14th.  I called her when I was able to get home that evening, explaining the breakdown and asking for her patience in the completion of the project until I could get my vehicle repaired.  She agreed.  Unfortunately it was a complicated repair and took several days to complete and get back in business.  I maintained contact with her during this period, but my hands were tied until the vehicle was repaired.   I had anticipated being back on her job no later than October 25, but my car issues had not yet been resolved so I called her that evening to inform her that my car was still broken down and that I was uncertain as to how long it was now going to take for the final repairs.  I also informed her that I would need to complete another job before I could return to her, due to the delays with the breakdown.    It was at this point that I began receiving abusive text messages from her. She went so far as to call both my cell phone and my home phone, leaving threatening messages.  I responded to each of them, attempting to keep her in the loop as to the progress of my transportation issues.  I again explained that once my car was back on the road, I had a commitment on another job and that as soon as I had met that commitment I would be back on her project.   Her text messages became even more abusive.  I received messages that included foul language and threats to become physical and “beat my ….”.  I received threatening messages on October 31st at 12:00, (Responded at 12:01) 12:02, 12:03, (Responded at 12:04) 12:05, (Responded at 12:06) 12:07, and 12:10.  Again at 12:10 PM I explained that I was completing the prior commitment job and would be at her project as soon as I was finished, to please not panic, she was next on my calendar. At that point, I received more abusive and threatening messages at 2:05, 2:07 and 2:08PM.  Then more came in at 10:50PM, 10:53, 10:54, 11:12, 11:16 and again 11:25PM all of which were threatening and contained the foulest of language.   It was at this point that I became seriously concerned about working under such a hostile environment and made the decision that, even though the project remained unfinished and with funds still due, it was not worth my health and wellbeing to suffer the type of abuse that this woman was spewing and it was better to write off the balance due as uncollectable.  I chose not to further respond to her abusive messages, but continued to receive them.  They came in again on November 1 at 11:25 AM, November 7th at 2:37 PM, November 11th at 3:01 PM, and finally again on November 12th at 2:16, 2:23 and 2:27PM.  These messages all carried threats to my safety and severely abusive language.  For the total fee collected of $160.00 it was absolutely not worth the abuse to return under such a hostile environment.    No one should have to take this kind of abuse.   All voice and text messages have been saved and can be provided upon your request.   Respectfully submitted,   [redacted] Tell us why here...