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:08/30/2024

  Type:Order 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.

  I entered a contract with them in 2023 for monthly lawn treatments. They performed the service fine for awhile. As the end of contract date approached I asked them numerous times when the contract expired and told them I do not want to renew. In the spring they scorched my lawn (they never offered to repair or pay) and I asked them again to ensure to discontinue service and never return to my home. They have not provided any services in many months. They continued to bill me and are claiming I have to pay my contract in full for another year. Their reason is I only spoke with them on the phone and did not put this in writing. This contract is flimsy at best, and I absolutely notified/ asked about terminating any future contract or services for months. Reading reviews online this appears to be a common practice with a Ashton landscaping. I have paid them for a minimum of 6 months of non service (not to mention the infrequent and no shows of previous service). I would like them to stop attempting to bill me or claim that I owe them another year of payment for no services. Payment has been $****** * month for a year and a half even though I wanted to discontinue after a year.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/10/2024

  A contract was entered into in 2023 for monthly applications. Service has been performed as schedule until recently when the ******* informed us they no longer us to service the property. 

  As you can see in the contract attached the contract renews automatically each year unless a 45-day written notice was received. This means *** ***** would have had to inform us in writing by December 18, 2023, in order to keep his contract from renewing. No such communication has been received.

  The first I show that we heard of the "scorched grass" was on August 1, 2024. We show multiple calls and emails to the client before then and never once did he say there was anything wrong at his property. We definitely would have sent someone out to find out what happened to his grass and find a solution to whatever the problem was. We were never given the chance. I have uploaded emails here that shows our communication with *** *****. I have more communication history that I can provide if needed to show that we were not contacted about the damaged grass.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/10/2024

  Virginia has specific consumer protection laws regarding automatic contract renewals under the ********** ******** ********** ***** ****** ***** ******* ****** These laws require businesses to present **clear and conspicuous terms** for automatic renewals before a consumer is obligated to the contract. Key provisions include:
  
  1. ************* ********** The business must obtain the consumer's clear consent before automatically renewing a contract and charging their account. This consent must be based on clearly presented renewal terms ************************* ******* ****** *** ********** ******* ****** *** **** * ************ ** ***** * ********

  the company failed to obtain your affirmative consent for the automatic renewal. 
  
  you may have grounds to challenge the charges under Virginia law. Additionally, the fact that no services were rendered further supports your argument.

  
  You can file a complaint with the ********** ****** ** *** ******** ********* if you believe the company violated these rules, or seek legal advice to potentially recover the payments made during this period.

  Let me be clear, I am willing to consider the 7 months of payments without service as a loss for a mutual miss understanding.  However, it does seem I have the right to not only dispute the claim but seek restitution for services not rendered.  ****** has made free money and I would like them to stop contacting me for anymore payments. Online reviews seem to convey this as a standard practice with them.  I would just like them to stop.