Door Knocking SCUM!

JayD · 31st October 2007, 09:32 PM

Last week I was talking to one of our clients about how she went with getting the permission for the removal of the tree we were removing. Well a long story short, once the Tree Preservation Officer left the street, along came the Islanders knocking on her door. They tried and begged, to get the job out from under us, even asking our business name and contact number - we had quoted it a month earlier. She told him to PISS OFF and slammed the door in his face.

Today I was speaking with an other client, he was telling me just hours after he rang the council for his removal application, the islanders came door knocking - One driving and three running down the street bashing on doors for tree work. They bashed on his door even offering to cut down his tree before he had permission - This is when the TPO was following THEM down the street (the islanders have been stalking the TPO to see what houses he goes into for tree work). The TPO then jumped out of the car, grabbed them and ORDERED them out of the area. One of the Islanders then raised his fist at the TPO, but the TPO stood strong and all the Islander was, was a dog barking at the fence. They all jumped back into their Van (Fob-mobile) and took off.

Another scenario I know of is, the egyptian tree workers... They sit down the end of the street before the hubby' goes to work, then when he leaves and the mrs is at home, they go and knock and pressure them into getting the tree cut down that instant.

Although this isn't directly affecting our work load, it is affecting mine and Johns patience, that our loyal customers have to put up with this bullshit (aswell now as the TPO's) and johnny howard doesnt give a rats ass aslong as the $$$ is coming through (from us honest business-men).

JayD

Ekka · 1st November 2007, 06:14 AM

Same here, there wouldn't be a house in Brisbane that hasn't been knocked, and that's over 1/2 million households.

They get organized through their church, there's hundreds of them!

Other threads with same interest.

The official Aussie dob in a door knocker thread

The doorknockers have hit Melbourne.

"Isle of Man Tree Surgery Club"

Plus QLD law on it

Fair Trading Qld

osb_mail · 1st November 2007, 10:18 AM

It sounds like you guys have a major problem with these guys .I don t see it being that bad around here .I really don t see door knocking being such a bad thing . Please don t everybody jump on my back and beat the crap out of me . I remember a few years ago when we had a bad ice storm , me and my friend went and bought a few saws and went door pounding clean up yards . Made some money had fun made one customer that called back wanted another tree cleaned . So that kind of how I got started I am still not full time but am trying to get there . And since I have bought thousands of dollars of equipment , got certified ,got insurance . I drive around town and see very dead trees close to publics places that could be major hazards . 2 that I can think of very clear and think if I get a slow spot in my work I am going to knock on these people door and give them a price . So does that make me a bad guy I would say no but is does make me door knocker .

shaggs · 1st November 2007, 12:10 PM

I hear the same thing very very often jayd. Islanders knocking on doors, starting at $1200 for a coco's palm then eventually going down to 2-300. What shits you is the pressure they put on the residents and say the tree has to come out etc. They even come back to the same street and try again.
I know the TPO in the Sutherland Shire is after them, but there is so many of them, they rotate and come and go.
Have you seen them work?? All cut and drop, probably no insurance and a van pulls up wil about 10 men women and kids all to clean up whilst the "cutter" moves on down the street!!!

Ekka · 1st November 2007, 01:08 PM

Osb,

It's all about your technique and advice.

Do you say all trees are dangerous and need to go?

Do you pretend you work for the local council and happen to notice ...... ?

Do you start at a price 4x higher than reality?

Do you pressure people?

Do you provide written no obligation quotes and allow people time to make decisions?

Do you approve of uninsured, no PPE and no skill?

There's a lot more to this than meets the eye, but it stinks to compete with scum.

Roller · 5th November 2007, 08:27 PM

There is a big difference OSB, we have door knockers over here, they pull the same stunts the Islanders in Australia do, I have door knocked legitamatly, I have pointed out real dangerous trees, but I haven't used any high pressure sales tactics the scum use , there is a very big difference.

osb_mail · 6th November 2007, 12:17 PM

Hey the other day I drove by 1 of the at high risk trees I saw and somebody got it cut down . So good for the owners of the tree .

Roller · 6th November 2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osb_mail

Hey the other day I drove by 1 of the at high risk trees I saw and somebody got it cut down . So good for the owners of the tree .

Shame they never gave you a chance to bid for it

shaggs · 13th November 2007, 08:36 PM

Did 3 quotes today. Islanders had been to all 3 people the weeks before. Quote and offered to remove ANY tree on their properties, no permit required. Luckily these people got sceptical when the price halved, then halved again all in the space of 10mins. And the fact they started to get shitty when the customer didn't want them to do the work.

shaggs · 13th November 2007, 08:39 PM

What also Sh1ts you is the coincidence of dumped trees and palms on our urban fringe increasing when these guys are doing trees for prices that wont even get you in the gate to the local tip!!!!!!
Give us a bad name.

treekiwi · 15th November 2007, 07:14 AM

we have the same problems in NZ, the main thing which is really disturbing is thte fact these prey on the elderly, several instances where the islanders have TOLD the owner the trees need pruning and they will do the job and it will cost this much, they have been scared into getting tree work done!! how is this moral...

newguy18 · 15th November 2007, 01:28 PM

Around if you say you are a handyman you can do anything except for roofs,electrical,or plumbing without a license or insurance.All of them do trees and almost all of them either use a ladder.

shaggs · 15th November 2007, 08:41 PM

Problem is how do you "police" it?

And then when they damage something, or someone, its reported in the new as "Arborist drops tree on house"

newguy18 · 16th November 2007, 01:07 AM

No they're not reported as arborists.We also don't police them because they can do it by law here.

Ekka · 27th November 2007, 03:04 PM

I'm subscribed to the weekly newsletter of OFT here. Here's this weeks compatible bust.

Quote:

Two men have been fined more than $36,000 for breaching door-to-door trading laws and leaving several Queensland consumers with crumbling bitumen driveways fit only to be ripped up.
Petrie Magistrates Court ordered Mathew Walter Kefford, 26, of Mount Macedon, Victoria, to pay $30,000 in fines and convicted him under the door-to-door trading provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1989 (the Act).
One of Kefford's workers, Zacharia Larkham, 20, of Orange, New South Wales, was also ordered to pay $6,500 in fines.
Commissioner for Fair Trading Brian Bauer said the penalties were the serious consequences not only of the poor work on the six driveways, but also of ignoring consumers' rights under the door-to-door provisions of the Act.
"These conmen used the usual ploy of approaching people at home, saying they had some leftover bitumen from a job and they could lay a cheap bitumen driveway.
"They used high-pressure tactics, rushing consumers into making on-the-spot decisions and demanding cash upfront."
Mr Bauer said door-to-door trading laws were an important protection for both consumers and reputable traders.
"These men completed the work without a contract and breached provisions of the Act which prohibit money changing hands or work commencing within a 10-day cooling-off period.
"Mr Kefford and Mr Larkham failed to provide their contact details, refusing even to give surnames to their customers.
"Mr Kefford has previously been fined $2,000 for refusing to provide information after complaints about his sub-standard work made by two Closeburn residents.
"The Act provides important protections for consumers' rights when traders come knocking with unsolicited offers.
"Door-to-door traders must comply with their responsibilities under the Act."
Traders in breach of the Act face fines of up to $40,500 for individuals and $202,500 for companies.
For more information about door-to-door trading, visit Office of Fair Trading Home Page or phone 13 13 04.

See, send the Mexicans back I say, they're only trouble!

But seriously, just seems to be the place for conmen.

a_lopa · 27th November 2007, 03:56 PM

Bitumen laying contractors are REAL sharks,Some got chased outta here recently..

Ekka · 3rd December 2007, 07:06 AM

And here's yet another from our OFT this week.

Quote:

Consumers warned about fake digital camera seller

Fake brand name digital cameras have recently been offered for sale by a dodgy itinerant trader in south-east Queensland, the Commissioner for Fair Trading, Brian Bauer, has warned.

A well-dressed man with a strong European accent tried to sell a collection of fake Sony and Panasonic cameras to a Brisbane business last week, Mr Bauer said.

"The man said he had been told to deliver the cameras to the Slacks Creek address but it appeared the person was no longer there.

"The man then offered the cameras to the current occupants, saying his boss wouldn't be happy if he had to take them back.

"He claimed the cameras were worth $2000 each but he would accept $500 in cash.

"Fortunately, the canny consumer identified the cameras packaged in silver and purple boxes as a cheap fakes and asked the salesman to leave.

"Rogue traders like this man want to get rid of their fake goods quickly and will use all types of hard luck stories to make people feel they are getting a good deal.

"Consumers should be careful if they are approached by itinerant traders in places like service stations, shopping centre car parks or places of business.

"Consumers who buy from itinerant sales people also run the risk of purchasing stolen goods. At best they could be buying products that have been misrepresented and have no warranty."

ropensaddle · 3rd December 2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

I'm subscribed to the weekly newsletter of OFT here. Here's this weeks compatible bust.

See, send the Mexicans back I say, they're only trouble!

But seriously, just seems to be the place for conmen.

Yeah around here the door knockers are illegals that pay no tax,
insurance,and thanks to our gov get free health care stinks I am
with ya

shaggs · 3rd December 2007, 01:12 PM

Im keeping my camera handy to hopefully snap some in the act

Ekka · 3rd December 2007, 05:09 PM

Snap their rego numbers too!

I video them when I see them. It's best to do that when they hack a protected tree.

You can sit around waiting for some-one to care or make a law, or start gathering the evidence and exerting the pressure ... DOB THEM IN.

Ekka · 31st May 2008, 12:04 PM

USA media alerts their readers.

Take Care When Removing Tree Damage - Omaha News Story - KETV Omaha

Quote:

A warning has been released by the Nebraska Forest Service to be careful about whom you hire to help clean up tree damage. When looking for someone to clear limbs and trim damaged trees, do your homework first. The first red flag, state arborists said, is an individual who goes door to door soliciting business. Reputable companies typically won't use that tactic.

StrictlyPalms · 31st May 2008, 04:38 PM

Here's a link to some of the crap pulled, mostly on the elderly, in the US.

Outwitting Gypsy Home Repair And Home Improvement Hustlers

In Florida after we had 4 hurricanes in one summer come through the Gypsies came in and started here.... after the hurricane in Louisiana they moved there...

Con men are in every country with different names. Some get caught most do not, unfortunately.

newguy18 · 1st June 2008, 12:13 AM

Hey hoots a nigerian.

hoot gibson · 1st June 2008, 03:02 AM

i think ive been edited . cant even make a honest buck now a days

h

vitex42 · 3rd June 2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treekiwi

we have the same problems in NZ, the main thing which is really disturbing is thte fact these prey on the elderly, several instances where the islanders have TOLD the owner the trees need pruning and they will do the job and it will cost this much, they have been scared into getting tree work done!! how is this moral...

I've had some experience of trying to catch these blokes and prosecute them. Like chasing mercury around a dinner plate.

If prosecution looms, they disappear off overseas never to be seen again. The EMOs (TPOs to you) often couldn't be bothered to prosecute them.

I reckon the best way to get at these boys is to go to their church and point out that there are major inconsistencies between their professed faith and the brutal 'standover' tactics that they use on frail and elderly 'palangis' (the accepted word for forinners - i.e. you 'n me).

Auckland City Council has prosecuted at least one of these guys, so it can be done.

31st October 2007, 09:32 PM	#1
JayD Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,396	Door Knocking SCUM! Last week I was talking to one of our clients about how she went with getting the permission for the removal of the tree we were removing. Well a long story short, once the Tree Preservation Officer left the street, along came the Islanders knocking on her door. They tried and begged, to get the job out from under us, even asking our business name and contact number - we had quoted it a month earlier. She told him to PISS OFF and slammed the door in his face. Today I was speaking with an other client, he was telling me just hours after he rang the council for his removal application, the islanders came door knocking - One driving and three running down the street bashing on doors for tree work. They bashed on his door even offering to cut down his tree before he had permission - This is when the TPO was following THEM down the street (the islanders have been stalking the TPO to see what houses he goes into for tree work). The TPO then jumped out of the car, grabbed them and ORDERED them out of the area. One of the Islanders then raised his fist at the TPO, but the TPO stood strong and all the Islander was, was a dog barking at the fence. They all jumped back into their Van (Fob-mobile) and took off. Another scenario I know of is, the egyptian tree workers... They sit down the end of the street before the hubby' goes to work, then when he leaves and the mrs is at home, they go and knock and pressure them into getting the tree cut down that instant. Although this isn't directly affecting our work load, it is affecting mine and Johns patience, that our loyal customers have to put up with this bullshit (aswell now as the TPO's) and johnny howard doesnt give a rats ass aslong as the $$$ is coming through (from us honest business-men). JayD __________________ Level 3 Arborist

1st November 2007, 06:14 AM	#2
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,100	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Same here, there wouldn't be a house in Brisbane that hasn't been knocked, and that's over 1/2 million households. They get organized through their church, there's hundreds of them! Other threads with same interest. The official Aussie dob in a door knocker thread The doorknockers have hit Melbourne. "Isle of Man Tree Surgery Club" Plus QLD law on it Fair Trading Qld __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Consumers, insist on a Tree World member, they're visible and accessible. Look for this badge Members, click here for details on how you can acquire one for your website.

1st November 2007, 10:18 AM	#3
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 223	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! It sounds like you guys have a major problem with these guys .I don t see it being that bad around here .I really don t see door knocking being such a bad thing . Please don t everybody jump on my back and beat the crap out of me . I remember a few years ago when we had a bad ice storm , me and my friend went and bought a few saws and went door pounding clean up yards . Made some money had fun made one customer that called back wanted another tree cleaned . So that kind of how I got started I am still not full time but am trying to get there . And since I have bought thousands of dollars of equipment , got certified ,got insurance . I drive around town and see very dead trees close to publics places that could be major hazards . 2 that I can think of very clear and think if I get a slow spot in my work I am going to knock on these people door and give them a price . So does that make me a bad guy I would say no but is does make me door knocker .

1st November 2007, 12:10 PM	#4
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 458	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! I hear the same thing very very often jayd. Islanders knocking on doors, starting at $1200 for a coco's palm then eventually going down to 2-300. What shits you is the pressure they put on the residents and say the tree has to come out etc. They even come back to the same street and try again. I know the TPO in the Sutherland Shire is after them, but there is so many of them, they rotate and come and go. Have you seen them work?? All cut and drop, probably no insurance and a van pulls up wil about 10 men women and kids all to clean up whilst the "cutter" moves on down the street!!!

1st November 2007, 01:08 PM	#5
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,100	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Osb, It's all about your technique and advice. Do you say all trees are dangerous and need to go? Do you pretend you work for the local council and happen to notice ...... ? Do you start at a price 4x higher than reality? Do you pressure people? Do you provide written no obligation quotes and allow people time to make decisions? Do you approve of uninsured, no PPE and no skill? There's a lot more to this than meets the eye, but it stinks to compete with scum. __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Consumers, insist on a Tree World member, they're visible and accessible. Look for this badge Members, click here for details on how you can acquire one for your website.

5th November 2007, 08:27 PM	#6
Roller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 213	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! There is a big difference OSB, we have door knockers over here, they pull the same stunts the Islanders in Australia do, I have door knocked legitamatly, I have pointed out real dangerous trees, but I haven't used any high pressure sales tactics the scum use , there is a very big difference. __________________ www.arboraeration.co.uk Tree healthcare specialists covering the UK

6th November 2007, 12:17 PM	#7
osb_mail Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 223	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Hey the other day I drove by 1 of the at high risk trees I saw and somebody got it cut down . So good for the owners of the tree .

13th November 2007, 08:36 PM	#9
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 458	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Did 3 quotes today. Islanders had been to all 3 people the weeks before. Quote and offered to remove ANY tree on their properties, no permit required. Luckily these people got sceptical when the price halved, then halved again all in the space of 10mins. And the fact they started to get shitty when the customer didn't want them to do the work.

13th November 2007, 08:39 PM	#10
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 458	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! What also Sh1ts you is the coincidence of dumped trees and palms on our urban fringe increasing when these guys are doing trees for prices that wont even get you in the gate to the local tip!!!!!! Give us a bad name.

15th November 2007, 07:14 AM	#11
treekiwi Certificate in Horticulture (Level 4) + Diploma in Arboriculture (Level 6) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 259	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! we have the same problems in NZ, the main thing which is really disturbing is thte fact these prey on the elderly, several instances where the islanders have TOLD the owner the trees need pruning and they will do the job and it will cost this much, they have been scared into getting tree work done!! how is this moral...

15th November 2007, 01:28 PM	#12
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: my house. Posts: 5,191	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Around if you say you are a handyman you can do anything except for roofs,electrical,or plumbing without a license or insurance.All of them do trees and almost all of them either use a ladder. __________________ Have your say join us today. I ship USA saws out of the USA

15th November 2007, 08:41 PM	#13
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 458	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Problem is how do you "police" it? And then when they damage something, or someone, its reported in the new as "Arborist drops tree on house"

16th November 2007, 01:07 AM	#14
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: my house. Posts: 5,191	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! No they're not reported as arborists.We also don't police them because they can do it by law here. __________________ Have your say join us today. I ship USA saws out of the USA

27th November 2007, 03:56 PM	#16
a_lopa Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,169	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Bitumen laying contractors are REAL sharks,Some got chased outta here recently.. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory www.drouintreeservices.com.au

3rd December 2007, 01:12 PM	#19
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 458	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Im keeping my camera handy to hopefully snap some in the act

3rd December 2007, 05:09 PM	#20
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,100	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Snap their rego numbers too! I video them when I see them. It's best to do that when they hack a protected tree. You can sit around waiting for some-one to care or make a law, or start gathering the evidence and exerting the pressure ... DOB THEM IN. __________________ Arborist Training in Australia\| Your Free Helping Guide Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Tree Care, Consulting, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Consumers, insist on a Tree World member, they're visible and accessible. Look for this badge Members, click here for details on how you can acquire one for your website.

31st May 2008, 04:38 PM	#22
StrictlyPalms Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando, Florida USA Posts: 197	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Here's a link to some of the crap pulled, mostly on the elderly, in the US. Outwitting Gypsy Home Repair And Home Improvement Hustlers In Florida after we had 4 hurricanes in one summer come through the Gypsies came in and started here.... after the hurricane in Louisiana they moved there... Con men are in every country with different names. Some get caught most do not, unfortunately. __________________ Strictly Palms, Inc. Orlando, Florida USA

1st June 2008, 12:13 AM	#23
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: my house. Posts: 5,191	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! Hey hoots a nigerian. __________________ Have your say join us today. I ship USA saws out of the USA

1st June 2008, 03:02 AM	#24
hoot gibson Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: central ohio Posts: 124	Re: Door Knocking SCUM! i think ive been edited . cant even make a honest buck now a days h __________________ i had a friend one, but he died .

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