R. Smith Paving Contractor, Incorporated

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved] Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because: On September 22, at 3:pm, MrSmith called our homeDuring this confrontational phone call he was screaming throughout, directed a number of threats to us as professionals and he berated us as consumers He said he would refund all of our 'dirty money' and ordered us to withdraw our complaint to the Revdex.com We tried to express our concerns but he would not listen and then MrSmith hung up on usIn his response via the Revdex.com, MrSmith states that we rejected his son's offer of a full cash refund while he was visiting our home on September 3, We were willing to pay a fair amount for the work and we asked that this transaction be 'above board' and that he issue a company check as a partial refund and a corrected invoice He indicated that the check would be prepared that evening and that we would have it soon He gave his cell phone number written on the back of a business card so we could contact him with questions When we did not receive a check or a corrected invoice, we called the cell phone number we were given on September 6, at 1:pm and left a message asking that he return our phone call and tell us his plan We did not get a responseOn September 13, 2014, we filed a complaint with the Revdex.comOur comments specific to their products and services: We were told the patch would invisible The same claim was made to our neighbors two doors down We are intelligent people and we understand that a patch cannot be completely invisible as Eddie S [redacted] claimed but the material does seem to be quite coarse compared to our driveway The crack sealant application is sloppyWe feel his sales tactics were deceptiveWe were told that the crack sealant they were to use was superior to and more expensive than any crack sealant that had been used on our driveway beforeThe application is sloppy and when one walks on it on a warm day, tar adheres to your shoes and it gets tracked into our homeAn issue our neighbor has as wellClaims about the superiority and expense of the product were overstated We feel his sales tactics were deceptiveThe driveway sealant we received is the product we expected and it was applied in a proper manner We have a quote for $for the same sealcoat and crack fill serviceWe feel that this indicates that we were grossly over-charged for all the services renderedOur comments specific to their business practices: After the service was performed, Eddie and crew asked for $cash We do not keep that much cash in our home Then they asked for a check written to Roudie H [redacted] (a worker, and grandson of owner)My wife was uncomfortable with value and the nature of the transaction and went into the house and called the [redacted] number and the number and no one answered I confronted them with the request for a check written to Roudie and my wife asked about a credit card transaction The company website states that they accept credit cards Eddie would not accept a credit card transaction and stated that our job was too small for a credit card transaction and that they commonly dealt with million dollar projects I wrote a check out to RSmith Paving and felt strong-armed into writing a check immediately We later found out that the check was not deposited into a bank account but instead was cashed at a Licensed Pennsylvania Check CasherIn summary, we find their sales tactics deceptive; the quality and the cost of the products/services were overstated; the product pricing inappropriate; promises made to correct the transaction were not kept; and their sales/payment practice is high pressureResolution: Please refund $of the $paid and please provide a corrected invoice Regards, [redacted] ***

I hired R Smith Paving to pave my driveway in July We had discussed the current drainage problem and poor water flow areas at the bottom of the driveway prior to the job being completed I stressed my concern for this area and that I needed assurance that I would no longer have standing water or puddles once the job was completed Richie assured me this would not be a problem Once the job was completed, we had a significant rainfall I had numerous puddles and areas where the water would not drain I contacted Richie He stated there really was nothing he could do He told me to just give it time to settle We had a few conversations on the phone whereas I wanted to have this issue addressed immediatelyI asked him to redo the entire job and he said that was not possible even though he stated he would do whatever it takes to make it right After numerous rainstorms and a few months later, I once again contacted Richie to let him know my disappointment and that I wanted this issue addressed He stated he would wait until the spring/summer of to see what it looked likeIf there was still an issue his company would do whatever they needed to do to make things right when they came back in He stated that if necessary they would heat up the driveway, re roll the driveway and fix the issue He stated that this process would mark up the driveway and change the appearance so if necessary they would sealcoat the driveway at no costI continued to observe puddling after each rain storm and poor drainage into the summer of I've documented this with pictures I contacted Richie in August He then differed me to his brother Eddie Eddie came out to look at the drivewayHe agreed there were some issues He wasn't sure if addressing them would make things better or worseI again pointed out that I paid a large amount of money to have a new driveway put in and that I wanted what I paid for Eddie and I decided to attempt a fixEddie asked me for $to sealcoat the driveway I told him I would not be paying for them to fix a problem I did not ask forEddie then agreed there would be no charge for the jobThere appears to be a mismatch of where stone was added to correct part of the problem Even after sealcoating, there is visible notice that a patch was added and covered up While doing the sealcoating, R Smith over sprayed to leave spray dots on my brand new garage doors, trim, and thresholds I called Eddie to let him know He said they would come out and clean the affected areas They came out within a couple days Sprayed down the affected areas with a cleaner I pointed out the cleaner was not addressing the rubber thresholds Eddie claimed the spray dots were not from the oil based sealer he used rather it was probably mold spores from mulch on my week old brand new garage doors When I came home from work that day, the thresholds still have the over spray dots on them and I noticed that the cleaner they used casued the threshold to bend outward, warping, and shrivel at the bottom I called Eddie to let him know about this Eddie engaged in a conversation with me that was very unprofessional He yelled at me on the phone with profanity in a hostile rage He claimed that my garage door guys did a "s***" job and that I should call them to tell them I am now having a problem with the thresholds He went on to tell me that he won't talk to me ever again and that he did all of this work for free and out of the goodness of his heartI told him I paid $4,to have my driveway paved correctlyHe continued to yell at me with a raised voice, not allowing me to speak before he hung up the phone on me

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Richard S*** Date: Tue, Sep 30, at 3:PMSubject: Re: Re: ID# ***To: a***
***,
Yes I will be willing to refund $
Richard S***, President

**& *** *** do not have a complaint on the quality of our work, she has buyers remorse. We do not negotiate price after the job is complete As far as the use of a check cashing firm, this is a legal way of keeping cash flow in a business used by many
contractors. This has nothing to do with the quality of our work. As stated in her own letter, Eddie offered all her money back and she declined it stating that Eddie can “shove the money up his a**” and she’s going to “bad mouth us on every site possible”. We regret offering the money back in the first place and Eddie only did so out of fear of any further confrontation Again our stance is there is nothing wrong with finished product and we would never after over years in the paving business tell someone you would not be able to see the patch

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
Regards,
[redacted]

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
On September 22, 2014 at 3:47 pm, Mr. Smith called our home. During this confrontational phone call he was screaming throughout, directed a number of threats to us as professionals and he berated us as consumers.  He said he would refund all of our 'dirty money' and ordered us to withdraw our complaint to the Revdex.com.  We tried to express our concerns but he would not listen and then Mr. Smith hung up on us.
In his response via the Revdex.com, Mr. Smith states that we rejected his son's offer of a full cash refund while he was visiting our home on September 3, 2014.  We were willing to pay a fair amount for the work and we asked that this transaction be 'above board' and that he issue a company check as a partial refund and a corrected invoice.  He indicated that the check would be prepared that evening and that we would have it soon.  He gave his cell phone number written on the back of a business card so we could contact him with questions.  When we did not receive a check or a corrected invoice, we called the cell phone number we were given on September 6, 2014 at 1:37 pm and left a message asking that he return our phone call and tell us his plan.  We did not get a response. On September 13, 2014, we filed a complaint with the Revdex.com.
Our comments specific to their products and services:
We were told the patch would invisible.  The same claim was made to our neighbors two doors down.  We are intelligent people and we understand that a patch cannot be completely invisible as Eddie S[redacted] claimed but the material does seem to be quite coarse compared to our driveway.  The crack sealant application is sloppy. We feel his sales tactics were deceptive.
We were told that the crack sealant they were to use was superior to and more expensive than any crack sealant that had been used on our driveway before. The application is sloppy and when one walks on it on a warm day, tar adheres to your shoes and it gets tracked into our home. An issue our neighbor has as well. Claims about the superiority and expense of the product were overstated.  We feel his sales tactics were deceptive.
The driveway sealant we received is the product we expected and it was applied in a proper manner.  We have a quote for $284.75 for the same sealcoat and crack fill service. We feel that this indicates that we were grossly over-charged for all the services rendered.
Our comments specific to their business practices:
After the service was performed, Eddie and crew asked for $950.00 cash.  We do not keep that much cash in our home.  Then they asked for a check written to Roudie H[redacted] (a worker, and grandson of owner). My wife was uncomfortable with value and the nature of the transaction and went into the house and called the [redacted] number and the 800 number and no one answered.  I confronted them with the request for a check written to Roudie and my wife asked about a credit card transaction.  The company website states that they accept credit cards.  Eddie would not accept a credit card transaction and stated that our job was too small for a credit card transaction and that they commonly dealt with million dollar projects.  I wrote a check out to R. Smith Paving and felt strong-armed into writing a check immediately.  We later found out that the check was not deposited into a bank account but instead was cashed at a Licensed Pennsylvania Check Casher.
In summary, we find their sales tactics deceptive; the quality and the cost of the products/services were overstated; the product pricing inappropriate; promises made to correct the transaction were not kept; and their sales/payment practice is high pressure.
Resolution:
Please refund $500 of the $950 paid and please provide a corrected invoice.
Regards,
[redacted]

Extremely Disappointed in the firm. Accepted a quote in August, and a check, never did the work, responded to emails or telephone calls except to say they couldnt make it the night before the project after delaying two months.

I hired R Smith Paving to pave my driveway in July 2015. We had discussed the current drainage problem and poor water flow areas at the bottom of the driveway prior to the job being completed. I stressed my concern for this area and that I needed assurance that I would no longer have standing water or puddles once the job was completed. Richie assured me this would not be a problem. Once the job was completed, we had a significant rainfall. I had numerous puddles and areas where the water would not drain. I contacted Richie. He stated there really was nothing he could do. He told me to just give it time to settle. We had a few conversations on the phone whereas I wanted to have this issue addressed immediately. I asked him to redo the entire job and he said that was not possible even though he stated he would do whatever it takes to make it right. After numerous rainstorms and a few months later, I once again contacted Richie to let him know my disappointment and that I wanted this issue addressed. He stated he would wait until the spring/summer of 2016 to see what it looked like. If there was still an issue his company would do whatever they needed to do to make things right when they came back in 2016. He stated that if necessary they would heat up the driveway, re roll the driveway and fix the issue. He stated that this process would mark up the driveway and change the appearance so if necessary they would sealcoat the driveway at no cost.
I continued to observe puddling after each rain storm and poor drainage into the summer of 2016. I've documented this with pictures. I contacted Richie in August 2016. He then differed me to his brother Eddie. Eddie came out to look at the driveway. He agreed there were some issues. He wasn't sure if addressing them would make things better or worse. I again pointed out that I paid a large amount of money to have a new driveway put in and that I wanted what I paid for. Eddie and I decided to attempt a fix. Eddie asked me for $250 to sealcoat the driveway. I told him I would not be paying for them to fix a problem I did not ask for. Eddie then agreed there would be no charge for the job. There appears to be a mismatch of where stone was added to correct part of the problem. Even after sealcoating, there is visible notice that a patch was added and covered up. While doing the sealcoating, R Smith over sprayed to leave spray dots on my brand new garage doors, trim, and thresholds. I called Eddie to let him know. He said they would come out and clean the affected areas. They came out within a couple days. Sprayed down the affected areas with a cleaner. I pointed out the cleaner was not addressing the rubber thresholds. Eddie claimed the spray dots were not from the oil based sealer he used rather it was probably mold spores from mulch on my 3 week old brand new garage doors. When I came home from work that day, the thresholds still have the over spray dots on them and I noticed that the cleaner they used casued the threshold to bend outward, warping, and shrivel at the bottom. I called Eddie to let him know about this. Eddie engaged in a conversation with me that was very unprofessional. He yelled at me on the phone with profanity in a hostile rage. He claimed that my garage door guys did a "s[redacted]" job and that I should call them to tell them I am now having a problem with the thresholds. He went on to tell me that he won't talk to me ever again and that he did all of this work for free and out of the goodness of his heart. I told him I paid $4,650 to have my driveway paved correctly. He continued to yell at me with a raised voice, not allowing me to speak before he hung up the phone on me.

Extremely Disappointed in the firm. Accepted a quote in August, and a check, never did the work, responded to emails or telephone calls except to say they couldnt make it the night before the project after delaying two months.

Review: [redacted] Smith and his team from R Smith performed a driveway expansion/sealcoating project at my home last summer. Immediately upon the completion of the job we noticed holes in the pavement. Further, after some weeks, we noticed an erosion of the transition from the old driveway to the new. We altered [redacted] to these issue since we elected to use a more expensive technique in performing the work per [redacted]'s recommendation (in order to avoid this very issue).

After countles emails and pone calls going unreturned, [redacted] finally came out and did a patch work repair that did not solve the issue. After this, [redacted] agreed to do a true repair of the problem but stated that the weather was too cold so I would have to wait until the spring. Once spring arrived I contacted [redacted] and he stated he would get back to me in a week with a firm date when he could come out and do the repair. That was on April 14. It is not April 30 and I have emailed and texted [redacted] three different times and he has not responded to any one pf these inquiries.Desired Settlement: I would like R Smith to come out and repair what they said they would repair in order to give us what we paid for. We did not pay for a job that was eroding less than 1 month after it was completed. If they do not come out and do the repair ASAP, I want a full refund of the money I paid to them.

Rich and company did an excellent job on my driveway, better than I even expected. Clean and neat and pays attention to details. Very reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

Review: While R. Smith Paving was working at a neighbor they offered us inexpensive asphalt patching since they had leftover material. They also offered sealcoating and crack repair. They recommended special, expensive crack repair material that would not get soft in warm weather and indicated that the patch would be invisible after the repair. They also indicated the latex sealcoat material was very expensive compared to the oil material they used two doors down. Upon completion of the work they wanted cash or check written to one of the workers Roudie H[redacted]. We wrote the check to R. Smith Paving but the check was cashed at a PA licensed check cashier rather than deposited in a bank. It was signed by Edward S[redacted] the manager of the group. The crack repair melted in hot weather and got tracked into the house. The patch is clearly visible. We were charged $950. We later discovered through another estimate prepared for us that we were overcharged about $500 for the work. We called for an itemized invoice, an explanation of the pricing discrepancy and an explanation of the unusual practice of using a check cashing firm rather than a bank deposit. We had a visit from Edward S[redacted] who provided a non-itemized invoice. When confronted with the pricing discrepancy, he agreed to refund with cash. We insisted on a corrected itemized invoice and a company check. He said he would provide them but we have not received a refund or a corrected invoice.Desired Settlement: Please provide us with a refund of $500 of the $950 paid to R. Smith Paving and an itemized invoice for the work.

Business

Response:

**. & [redacted] do not have a complaint on the quality of our work, she has buyers remorse. We do not negotiate price after the job is complete. As far as the use of a check cashing firm, this is a legal way of keeping cash flow in a business used by many contractors. This has nothing to do with the quality of our work. As stated in her own letter, Eddie offered all her money back and she declined it stating that Eddie can “shove the money up his a**” and she’s going to “bad mouth us on every site possible”. We regret offering the money back in the first place and Eddie only did so out of fear of any further confrontation. Again our stance is there is nothing wrong with finished product and we would never after over 50 years in the paving business tell someone you would not be able to see the patch.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

On September 22, 2014 at 3:47 pm, Mr. Smith called our home. During this confrontational phone call he was screaming throughout, directed a number of threats to us as professionals and he berated us as consumers. He said he would refund all of our 'dirty money' and ordered us to withdraw our complaint to the Revdex.com. We tried to express our concerns but he would not listen and then Mr. Smith hung up on us.In his response via the Revdex.com, Mr. Smith states that we rejected his son's offer of a full cash refund while he was visiting our home on September 3, 2014. We were willing to pay a fair amount for the work and we asked that this transaction be 'above board' and that he issue a company check as a partial refund and a corrected invoice. He indicated that the check would be prepared that evening and that we would have it soon. He gave his cell phone number written on the back of a business card so we could contact him with questions. When we did not receive a check or a corrected invoice, we called the cell phone number we were given on September 6, 2014 at 1:37 pm and left a message asking that he return our phone call and tell us his plan. We did not get a response. On September 13, 2014, we filed a complaint with the Revdex.com.