Business ProfileforA Ackerman Tree Service, Inc.

I recently sought an estimate from a A Ackerman on several trees. “Gary” scribbled on a business card: “$975, 1 maple out, 4 tree up, clean up, $200 stump out.” The maple in front needed removal. He said the maple in back “had a lot of life left,” and the other 3 needed trimming. When I called him a few days later, he began to contradict himself about once per minute. First, he said the prices he wrote were only to remove the tree in front. I had asked for a price on five trees. Every other estimator understood that and prepared a clear, itemized estimate. He said he would come back that morning. When he arrived, I showed him what he wrote. I never got a straight answer as to why he didn’t include a price on the other four trees. But that turned out to be the least of his problems. He proceeded to contradict himself not only compared to the first visit, but even as he spoke. He more resembled electrical alternating current than a tree service estimator. The large maple in back--which days earlier he described as having life left--he now advised removing. But he said the equipment necessary would not fit through my gate. He also switched his advice on two of the other trees, from trimming to suggesting removal. Then, just moments after he said he could not remove the large maple in back, he inexplicably changed his mind about that, saying that he could. Like anyone hearing someone change on a dime, I naturally (as the BBB advises) had questions. I asked if he used ropes. At this point, acting deranged, he got in my face and yelled, “I have been doing this for 45 years, and if I say I can remove a tree, I can.” Then he walked back to his truck and left. This insane scenario speaks for itself. For anyone seeking someone who is as unsure as possible about what tree work needs to be done, how to do it, and what it will cost, this is their man. But when I am facing a project as important as this, the last person I want to see is the textbook definition of an idiot.