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:10/04/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore 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.

  My intention is to reveal the deceptive practices of Chad Crouse, retrieve 1900 dollars owed to me that I prepaid for work that was never done.
  
  Chad Crouse was owner of Crouse tree service when I hired him based on theBBB logo.printed on his business cards . His demographics are ** ** ********* **** ******** ** ****** Phone ************. The BBB logo on his business card is why I hired him believing he was accredited and endorsed by the BBB.
  
  Chad Crouse predicted a two week job for 24 trees and stump grinding. He was hired July 3, 2025. Initially he showed up thencame periodically without any communication. This span over two months. He requested $1500 for half the stump grinding in advance, but only four stumps were ground he denied. I prepaid for the stumps and stated half we’re done and he didn’t owe me anything so there was no resolution bytalking to him. Subsequently, he refused to talk to me and only communicated to my neighbor who also had three trees taken down my final text to him was met with anger that my neighbor and I were paying separately. My last text to him was not notification. He was going to my neighbor to do work there for cash. He never came back I never learned of him selling the company in early September until my neighbor communicated it to me. I believe the new owner would continue the job with the Right equipment that the prior owner had been using however, he stuffed trees tops in the of my property. Left logs and trees half fallen and charged me $400 for a tree that was included in the price we paid previously paid In total I have lost about $1900.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/20/2025

  In response to complaint by *** ******:     I had worked with *** on her 24 trees at west lake road. At initial estimate *** and I walked the property. Before leaving front yard she said she had to get neighbor to walk with us, some of the trees were towards his house and garage and would be willing to share cost. At that point we agreed on a price and that *** would be responsible for 4600 of 7600. (Don't quote me on numbers), **** ***** being responsible for the remaining balance. The stumps would be separate and a cost of 1500. 18 of the 24 stumps were to be ground in the center of her lot and the neighbors. As we agree on price and start date the next door neighbor, ***,  comes over and is interested in getting a better price on their trees if we were doing theirs. Just made it all confusing and I told this gentleman I wouldn't be interested in his for now bc ***** was a big job. I stated it would take 2 weeks with a crane. Start date the following week. That weekend I drive down and marked all 24 trees with fluorescent paint. At that time did not realize their wouldn't be room to get crane into the road that went to her back lot and the neighbors house. ******* was old and swing wasn't wide enough. At that time mentioned to her and **** that we would have to do it the old school way and would take a bit longer. Both agreed that we do what we need to do and be safe. Time was not a worry and **** had a family reunion scheduled for the weekend of harbor fest in Oswego ny. We all agreed that even if we got a bunch down and had them cleaned up by that point would be ok and reach their goals. Original agreement was half the money when half the trees are done and cleaned up. Rest upon completion. Same for stumps and the grinding. We reached goal of having half done and cleaned up and received half the money. I forget exacts but believe *** gave me 1500 and **** 1000. (I don't remember amounts exactly) but both parties were happy and job was running smoothly. We had a bit of rain for a few days there. i notified them that I don't want to tear up their yard with the skidsteer and a couple days of sun would really keep their yards from being a mud pit. That was ok with everyone. So if I remember we got all but 4 trees down, 1 much were ones closest to the house. Days before marks reunion I figured I would grind the stumps by his yard which would be half and cleaned that area. He mentioned from the beginning that they played croquette and was a big family thing. So wanted to make sure we met his goal. We do! At that point asked for half the stump money. 750 dollars. We had done 9 stumps by **** smiths side. All blown off raked up and chips dumped out back where all 3 neighbors agreed upon. We also were told by all three neighbors that we could chip all brush into 2 different areas that were overtaken with briar. They figured it would keep that down. At this point ***** reunion is starting in a day or 2 and ask **** and *** for stump money and also a portion of the trees. Minus that 4 that were left. We broke down the total amount dived by 24. So that everyone was even and would be a week until ***** reunion was leaving. I talked to **** and he said this time she owes this time. I knocked on ***** door and we had same conversation as I did with **** and she replies with ok let me write you a check. *** had mentioned that she had been in a few car accidents and has a very bad memory. *** goes to sit on her couch to write check and then looks and me with a stern face and says no **** needs to pay this time. I replied with I just talked to **** and he sent me to you, also replying that i don't know who owes what, all I know is this is amounts and this is what we have done and I feel we are abiding by the contract and would just like to be paid and they could figure it out later.  Seeing that she was flustered I told her I would go to my truck and write this all down if she can't remember. While walking to the truck ! see and explain to **** as I'm writing it all down for her and he goes and talks to her. I finish writing it down and he comes back over and says he had spoke to her and she was just confused but she paying. I bring written amounts on paper to her and also show mark. I knock on her door and she had left check on front deck so I also left paper with amounts between the door. Thinking oh I just made this lady mad and wasn't trying to. The week **** had his reunion we did work for the neighbors down the street as to not be making noise in close proximity of marks or *****. When his family leaves **** txt me and says hey sorry for all that mix up when will you be coming back. I replied with I would like to know who is paying this time and not having any worries if I would be paid upon completion. As a business owner a pretty bad feeling wondering if you are going to be paid. **** replied with he would be his remaining part of the balance and she would be paying balance of stumps or something along those lines. I mentioned that I would not be interested in aoina throuah 2 people to get paid and was Leary about if *** would remember the details or I would just be sent to **** to beg for payment. I stated that I would have to walk away from the rest of job and if they wanted to seperatly write a new contract that laid out all the details and completion of the 4 trees, 9 stumps and final payment would be only way I would feel comfortably coming back. If they didn't feel comfortable seperatly writing contracts I gave them number for a guy that would agree to finish and had worked with ***, **** and I before. They went with second suggestion and all trees were finished, and stumps she told him not to worry about be a veteran friend had a machine now to do so. I have attached photo of her explaining how all but one tree was done that she had added and both agreed to 400 dollars. From what I'm told she and neighbors agreed that a few tree be just dropped into the woods bc they were all poison ivy. ***, neighbor number three that wanted deal in beginning owns the land next to her and also agree at all! times to blow chips in certain areas and drop certain trees and leave them. *** had found me from my business card that was at a gas station from previous years ago. That is why it had bbb loao but no longer does. *** is why it had *** logo but no longer does. *** did not sign contract that was given to her in very beginning when asked. I left it for her for a few days and also never got signed. I got busy with the job and forgot and all was running smooth for all parties so didn't worry about it. I am not sure where *** thinks she has been taken for 1900 when all trees are done and she paid exactly what was quoted from me from the start. **** Blake of G&J property maintenance was gentleman that took on job and was recommended by myself. I am unsure what was agreed upon between them, besides **** doing job for what was owed to me at completion.  but all photos *** is providing would be after  me and done by me Blake. Took 2 company but price was same and she paid exactly the same. Besides one they agreed upon for 400 dollars. Hope this helps resolve this matter that should not be a matter. I feel as if their could be some mental health and memory issues and is also why I did not feel comfortable writing a contract with *** or accepting any money from her again. After realizing from the last time we spoke and she mentioned her car accidents and memory loss. *** has sent me nasty txt and anyone that has worked for or recommend by myself. Attached is her txt wishing I would die and stating how I don’t “deserve” to have a business. I would feel More comfortable if she had a family member or worker to help her through negotiations. She stated she did not have any family around. Thank you for your time! 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/30/2025

  Points of dispute; 1. Upon meeting Chad Crouse for the first time I was told it would take 2 weeks. Again that was stated when they first started. No delay was ever mentioned. 2. No stumps were counted in the front yard, and around the pool. They total 7stumps and were not taken into account. It stands to reason 24 trees cut down 24 stumps result. Again half the stumps were never ground. I was also forced to pay $1500 prior to the work on the stumps started. Not upon completion. 3. I question some of the accuracy of his facts given he Doesn’t know my name, or who paid him and when. He was paid in full upon each request and told me to keep the check under$2000. He never mentioned he was upset about payment from two people and could’ve communicated this to us like an adult prior to abandoning the job with the resentful text that I uploaded in the past. He stated he was frustrated and then never came only to start a new job at the neighbors before attempting to finish mine. This was absolutely abusive and very unprofessional just like the lack of presenting a typed proposal, contract or invoice. His team returned on one day only and did Not grind half the stumps. Then Chad communicating through my neighbor rather than of the person who hired him with the largest job. 4. Both parties *** ****** and **** ***** were not happy because they did not show up and Number would communicate what day they were coming or if they stated the day they didn’t show up. This lasted 2 1/2 months until part of his crew, **** returned approximately the third week of September For a job that initially started after the Fourth of July weekend. He did not have the essential equipment for cleanup, which included the absence of a wood chipper. Uploaded are pictures of tree tops, branches, and Logs jammed into the periphery bushes of my yard or laying open on the ground around and behind the pool. He cut down several leaving whole trees on the ground. 5. It is unclear who is responsible for the lack of any adequate clean up for the second half of the trees I was told all the trees would be neatly stacked or ground in the wood chipper. This is extremely problematic as the property is a mess 5 months prior to listing it for sale. The trees debris is an eyesore and could potentially reduce the value of my home. 6. Proposal for resolution. I am more than willing to have Crouse tree service along with **** come back and do an adequate clean up for the second half of the trees. I believe since crouse tree service stated they would provide cleanup and did not do so for the second half of the trees around my home and are quite visible from any Advantage point creating an eyesore for potential buyers. If they do not want to return then I request they pay for me to have to hire a company. 7.  I relied on the BBB logo and still believe there was purposeful deception. His business card was obtained at a coffee shop, not a gas station and was on top of all the other flyers.  8. Chad Crouse obtained the photographs of my property without my permission to come onto the property or take photos Sent from my ****** 

  Business Response

  Date: 10/31/2025

  I don’t have time to go back and forth with the he said she said. Myself and **** of *** ******** ***********, which is not part of my crew and owns his own business. Would love to arrangement to take care of whatever it is that makes Mrs ****** happy in life. This is hard to do with no phone contact and being blocked by Mrs ******. She is welcome to call me anytime from 9am-9pm at **********. I will ask to have a contract written with her and **** ****** signatures. I do not feel I can legally write any contracts with just Mrs ****** for she has stated head injuries and memory loss. If Mr ***** is present and both parties sign I will do whatever it takes to get this over with and close my business.  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/31/2025

  I stopped by Mrs ******’s with **** this morning and came to an agreement to clean up any brush within her view site and stack any useable wood in a neat pile. Weather is working against us so are in agreement to stay in contact and have this finished before snow fall.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/04/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore 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.

  My wife and I paid for 5 quarts of firewood valued at $75.00 a quart. We only received 4 quarts. We have not received our last quart of firewood and have made numerous attempts over the past three months to contact the company. We even sent a letter to the address listed on the business card. We would like the company to refund us the $75.00 for the last quart of firewood. We are going to be getting our firewood from a different company starting now. We do not wish to continue with this business since its clear they are unprofessional.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/22/2024

  BBB spoke to the business owner and the following was relayed: I believe that I have since taken care of this customer and resolved his concern.  Thank you.