One California resident is warning others after a door-to-door landscaping job left their mother facing a nearly $2,000 charge for what the crew said was 166 bags of a seed-and-soil mixture used on the family's dry front lawn.
Here's what to know
Writing in Reddit's r/Landscaping forum, the original poster said the encounter happened while they were away, when their mother answered the door and spoke with people offering to work on the front yard.
The family had recently moved into the home, and the lawn was "extremely dry and not well maintained."
According to the OP, the crew first said the material cost $12 per bag. After finishing the job, they allegedly told the mother they had gone through a whopping 166 bags of soil and seed mix, putting the total close to $2,000.
She questioned that number and said they had not shown her the 166 bags they claimed to have used, yet she still paid them.
The OP added that "This is in Manteca, CA… If you're in the area, beware! Tell your parents!" before sharing images of the men who he believed scammed his mother.
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More background
Yard work can be especially vulnerable to these kinds of disputes because most people do not know how much seed, soil, mulch, or fertilizer a job should realistically require. That can make it easier for a dishonest operator to quote a number that sounds believable enough in the moment.
Door-to-door offers also can create a sense of urgency, but it is reasonable to ask for a written estimate, the company name, proof of licensing if required, and a breakdown of materials before any work begins.
Photos of the yard before and after, receipts, and any written or texted promises may all be useful if a charge is disputed later. One commenter urged, "Call the cops. You have pictures."
Families may also want to speak proactively with older relatives about common door-to-door sales tactics, especially offers that appear without warning and demand immediate payment. Even a simple rule, like never agreeing to work on the spot without first calling a family member, can help prevent costly mistakes.
The top comment summarized the situation in just three words: "For sure scammed."
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