Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Paid ***** 335$ 2/20 and 2/23 245$ to get the discount. Pinestraw was supposed to be applied the first 2weeks in March. 120 *****. April 4 I was told Friday. I have used Metro/***** ******** before and they were always late but never kept my money and no service. 4/7 I purchased 10 yards of pine bark. 550$. ****** and ***** would not let me pay him. Used employed Zelle acct **** ***** 4/7 550) and 4/8 300$. Tried to get more money from me after I paid. I Requested refund he backed down. Deliver and install 4/12 told Friday 4/13 told Friday 4/17 told tomorrow 4/28 told Friday 5/6 told tomorrow 5/12 told tomorrow No show 5/13 I have requested a refund for all monies numerous times. No response.Evidently this will have to escalate and hopefully he will do the right thing and refund my money or deliver the pine straw and bark as promised. Refunds do not seem to be an option from the other complaints.He sold his business Metro Pinestraw and the client list. Per Metro he has contacted people from the sold list and sold them pinestraw. That doesnt seem right. As I stated earlier the service was never great as far as scheduling but they showed up and the price was good for all the ***** I need. This is theft. My money was taken in good faith and there was never the intention deliver either product. I want a refund with a check that wont bounce or the 120 ***** and 10 yards of bark ( good product) delivered and installed as agreed.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/08/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In early April 2025, I contracted with ***** for landscaping services, specifically for the delivery and installation of 18 cubic yards of mulch and 170 ***** of pine straw. Despite multiple delays, vague communication, and changing timelines, the work was eventually performed on April 12. However, the amount of material delivered and installed was significantly less than what was paid for.I have documented proofincluding receipts left by his crew and security camera footagethat only 100 bags of 2 cu. ft. mulch (approximately 7.4 cubic yards) were delivered, resulting in a shortage of over 10 cubic yards. Additionally, the pine straw delivery fell far short of the 170 ***** agreed upon, leaving parts of my yard incomplete. I raised these concerns immediately and repeatedly over the course of several days via text. The contractor acknowledged the shortage and stated a refund would be ********* of today, no refund has been issued. My requests for resolution have gone unanswered since April 24. This is not only a matter of poor service but clear overcharging for undelivered goods.I am seeking a full refund for the undelivered mulch and pine straw, which based on industry pricing and what was documented, amounts to several hundred dollars.Desired Resolution:- A refund for the missing 10.6 cubic yards of mulch - A refund for the undelivered portion of the 170 ***** of pine straw - Formal acknowledgment of the overcharge

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/18/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Several years ago I previously hired ***** ******** when he owned *************** in *******. His team did an excellent job delivering and installing pine straw at my home. *****, who grew up in my neighborhood, was a respected young man and sold his business before going off to college.Earlier this year, I began receiving daily promotional emails from ***************, his new pine straw company, offering discounted pine straw installation. The emails stated I was receiving them as a former *********** customer. Based on my positive past experience, I placed an online order for 100 *****. Shortly after, ***** contacted me via text confirming the order and requested a 50% deposit via Zelle. I sent $280 on 1/23/2025. He confirmed receipt and we agreed on an installation ******* the date approached, I followed up via text and was assured everything was on schedule. However, the delivery never occurred. I contacted *****, who repeatedly promised rescheduled dates that were never fulfilled. On 3/15/2025, he returned my call and explained he was having issues with suppliers and subcontractors. Our conversation, including specific neighborhood details, reassured me I was speaking to ****** I even verified his identity via ********. During that call, he asked for the remaining balance, andregrettablyI sent an additional $224 via Zelle.The pine straw was never delivered. I demanded a refund, and on 3/28/2025, he stated in a text that a refund check was in the mail. The refund check never arrived, so I requested a refund via Zelle only to find his account has been ************** this stage, I have every reason to believe Ive been the victim of a scam. However, given my history with ***** ********, I am choosing to pursue one final opportunity to resolve this matter amicably. Before filing a formal fraud complaint with law enforcement against Mr. ******** and *******************, I am seeking the assistance of the Better Business Bureau to facilitate a resolution.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/16/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On March 7th 2025 I sent $1360 to ***** for mulch install (he's done work in the past with success). I then tried multiple times to get an install date and his communication was inconsistent and always pushed the install date out because of some excuse. On April 4th I requested a refund and he hasn't done it and continues to be inconsistent with communication. 3/7 - $1360 sent to ***** for mulch + install 3/13 - I asked about when install could happen - no response.3/17 - I asked about install again - ***** responded saying ~3/27 3/30 - I asked if mulch would be installed within the week - no response 4/2 - I asked about install date - no response 4/3 - I asked again - no response 4/4 - I requested a refund - ***** responds saying mulch will be installed 4/8 4/9 - I reached out since mulch wasn't installed - ***** responded with various excuses but says it will be done 4/11 or 4/12 4/12 - No install so I initiated dispute with Venmo and let ***** know - he immediately responds trying me to cancel the dispute (which I say I will once refund is complete or mulch installed).4/13 - I asked about an update.4/14 - ***** responds saying he will followup later that morning (never does)4/14 - I reach out multiple times asking about status of refund 4/15 - ***** responds in the morning letting me know refund will be done today.4/15 - No refund received and I tried a couple of times to reach out.4/16 - I reached out 3 times today but no response.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/15/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ***** ********/Metro Straw ******* phone number is ************ My husband purchased $495 worth of pinestraw & paid ***** ******** in full via Zelle on February 21st. No pine straw ever arrived. He contacted ***** who was apologetic & told him that the straw would be delivered on the upcoming Tuesday but if it wasnt delivered by Thursday, he would refund us what we paid. Well, Tuesday came & went, then Thursday. We made contact with ***** ******** on Friday, March 28th. He told us that he could not return our $495 for undelivered pine straw that we ordered AND paid for in full on February 21st, via Zelle (which is how he wanted our payment.) So, he sent out a check. Received the check on April 11th. When I went to our ***, they would not cash NOR deposit the check b/c Grants account has a freeze on it & can only receive credits. Upon getting home, I called the number on the check. The *** representative said that this account was inactive. She could see that he was cutting checks from it but basically like us, folk would NOT be able to cash it & if the check was deposited, it would bounce. We contacted ***** and once again, got a total run around. He stays polite on the texts but will not actually pick up our calls nor us to make things right. Three times hes been at the doctor, on a Friday afternoon after 4pm. Its unbelievable. This whole time that weve been trying to get our money refunded, we receive emails from his company promoting the latest & greatest deals on pine straw! According to *********** website, they are no longer associated with ****** However, ***** presents himself as the CEO of this company. Based on **** reviews, ***** is doing this to others.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/14/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Owner ***** ******** solicited costumers to provide pine straw and install. Accepted advance payment in full and never delivered services. I have asked repeatedly for a refund and he keeps promising and pushing off issuing a refund.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/14/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ***** ******** is the owner of ***************. He helped to install pinestraw at my home in ***************** for *********** in 2024. I emailed him on Jan. 12, ************************************************************ he had been the owner of *********** but had recently opened a new company, ***************. He quoted me a price of $685 for leaf blowing & removal, and pine straw installation, which I accepted. He promised installation on Jan. 27th and asked for a 50% deposit to be wired by ***** from my ********************* account. I agreed and he later acknowledged receipt of the deposit. The next day he told me that his pinestraw vendor had offered a 10% New Years discount and he would apply that discount amount to my total purchase if I wired him an additional $274, which I did, bringing the total amount I paid him to $616.50. He gave me an install date of Jan. 27th.Over the next month I received several texts and emails from *************** giving me excuses for delays but no one ever showed up to deliver the pinestraw. However, I did receive an email from *** on Feb. 27th saying "It is not fair for you to keep waiting. I will have a refund issued to you by *** today." I have heard nothing further from them since March 7th and never received a refund check. Today is April 14th.I did, however, look up Metro Straw on the internet to see if it had actually been sold or closed and found it at *******************************. There is a large box on the opening page saying "Metro Straw and former owner ***** ******** have parted ways for 2 years. Metro Straw does not associate with ***** ******** in any way. Metro Straw continues to work in delivering top pine straw and mulch services to the residents of ************* and its surrounding areas."I sincerely hope you can help me recover the large amount of money still being held by ***** ******** and ***************.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/20/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On Jan 15, 2025, around 9:15PM, I paid a deposit in the amount of $420 via Zelle for pinestraw installation with ***** ******** of ***************; ************; ************************** We've done business before with no issues. Less than 12 hrs after payment, at 8:43AM the following morning, I cancelled the service by text for personal reasons and requested a refund of my $420 deposit. ***** responded right away and said he needed his vendor to refund him before he could refund me. I questioned how he had paid his vendor so quickly and ***** responded they place orders with vendors as soon as they receive them. ***** also put me in touch with his accountant ***** F, office manager, to process the refund. Since then, we've had countless text, email and phone exchanges where he (or she) promises to refund my deposit, but there's always an excuse why it has not happened. On Feb 6th, 2025 ***** ****** ******** and ***** E ******** cut and mailed a personal check from their bank, which I subsequently deposited to my bank account. On Feb 20th, 2025, my bank sent a copy of the check which had been returned for "Not Sufficient Funds". After more exchanges by text, ***** promised to return my refund via Zelle by 10AM, Thursday, March 6th. Still nothing. Now I have a promise funds will be returned to me by ***** tomorrow. I want to report this company regardless. I've since learned this company has treated a number of neighbors in similar ways - not returning deposits or not providing agreed upon services. I don't want this to happen to any more unsuspecting homeowners. I have all text and email exchanges saved if you are in need of them.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2025

  *****, thank you so much for your concern. Upon receiving notice that you had issued depositing your check - we immediately issued a certified funds / casheirs check to your address. This reflects a refund in full along with an additional sum of money as an apology for the delay and hiccups. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/27/2025

   
  Complaint: 23093888
  
  I am rejecting this response because: ***** ******** responded with: "we immediately issued a certified funds / casheirs check to your address", but it never arrived, nor was any proof that any such refund was truly sent. No cashier's check receipt or certified mail receipt has been shared. ***** Frerking has promised to send a refund of my deposit countless times and it magically never appears. In the past several days, I've received further text messages asking what methods I had for reimbursement. I provided Zelle, Venmo and ****** options. ***** ******** asked if I had Apple Pay. I responded that I did have Apple Pay, but not ***** Cash and to please forward my refund through Zelle, Venmo or ******. To date, I have not received one ***** of my initial $420 deposit, nor any "additional sum of money as an apology for the delay and hiccups."

  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ******