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Whistleblower: Getting her digs in: One of several unhappy customers lets landscaper have it on Craigslist.Nov 22, 2009 (Star Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- "Don't take a chance on a guy by the name of Brent Eckman or his 2 Businesses," Moore wrote last week on the popular online classified advertising site. "He came out to give an estimate, we signed the contract and provided the 50% to reserve a start date, he made many excuses for not starting the job, and still has not started the job and no longer returns phone calls or emails to give back the 50%." This kind of digital retribution, denounced by Eckman as harassment, is typical in the freewheeling online marketplace, where consumers are widely invited to critique the providers they use. "I think it cuts both ways," said Charlie Durenberger, who enforces contractor licenses for the state Department of Labor and Industry. "For people that are prudent, it enables them to get a wider array of possible service providers and get better info about them. "The other universe of consumers either don't have the time or the experience or the knowledge to do this checking," Durenberger said. "It does create a much higher possibility of being taken advantage of." By making her frustration public, Moore connected with other dissatisfied customers. In all, six people told Whistleblower about their problems with Eckman. "He basically took my money and ran and never called back," said Larry Fox, who last year paid Eckman $1,250 to level his yard in Elko New Market. "I can't believe I let this guy sucker me," said Stacy Ruth, who paid Eckman $1,200 for a never-completed patio and sod project in Falcon Heights. "It seems he's making a pattern of doing the same thing," said Mark Thompson, who paid Eckman $725 for an unfinished retaining wall in Apple Valley. Nick Jejel of Eden Prairie said he eventually was refunded his $1,000, but he said he got the money only because he threatened to report Eckman to Minneapolis city inspectors. Durenberger said his office got a similar complaint about Eckman from an Inver Grove Heights family in late 2007, but his office took no action because it doesn't license landscape contractors. Eckman, who has been in the landscaping business for 17 years, works under the names Crocus Hill Landscape Inc. and 2-It Enterprises. He said all small businesses eventually have some jobs that go bad. "It's not a pattern," Eckman said. "It happens to be a few unfortunate situations." Eckman said Moore has no reason to be upset with his services because he is still willing to do the work. He was picked for the job last summer, when Moore was searching for someone to regrade her family's poorly drained back yard in Savage. She put an ad on Craigslist seeking bids from landscapers, and Eckman responded. Moore thought Eckman's plan was the best of a half-dozen bids she received. "This guy was talking retaining walls, drain tile, type of blocks, everything was spot on," said Moore, a 29-year-old underwriter at a bank. "You could just tell he seemed to know what he was talking about." Before hiring him, however, Moore insisted on at least one reference. After hearing from one satisfied customer, whom Moore later found out was Eckman's sister, Moore gave Eckman a $2,500 check. No one showed up to do the work until Nov. 3, a week later than promised. Moore's husband turned away the workers because Eckman still hadn't provided proof that he was insured. Eckman's insurer provided that proof the next day, but by then it was too late. Moore no longer trusted him after finding other unhappy clients online, so she decided to ask for her money back. Eckman refused, saying Moore's husband breached the contract when he turned his workers away. Moore said she wished she had done a thorough online search of Eckman and his companies before signing a contract. She hasn't decided whether to sue. Others have won judgments in court against Eckman without getting a dime. But she hasn't given up hope. In her retaliatory Craigslist postings, Moore has offered Eckman a truce of sorts: "If Brent gives back the 50% I gave him, I will remove this listing." CHOOSING A LANDSCAPER No single agency regulates the landscaping industry, but build yourself a little safety net with these tips: Ask for references and call them. Ask if they would be willing to let you see their yards. Contractors who are certified by landscape industry groups are designated "Outdoor Living Experts" by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. Look up your contractor at www.tinyurl.com/ykngeek. Find business-registration details at tinyurl.com/32v3rm or call the Minnesota secretary of state's office at 651-296-2803 or 1-877-551-6767. Check to see that your contract includes start and completion dates, costs and guarantees. Ask for proof of insurance. JANE FRIEDMANN To see more of the Star Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.startribune.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Star Tribune, Minneapolis Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |